Steady Upward Trend Buoys Established Company

By Gene Yarbrough

Simon Caldecott presented a brief yearly review at AirVenture Monday. Caldecott reported "satisfactory" increases in orders, and sales described as a “steady upward trend.” Piper reports deliveries of 86 aircraft in the first half of 2013, divided into a few units in Q1 and the majority of deliveries in Q2 due to certification activities around the Garmin G1000 avionics package. All new aircraft will be delivered with the G1000 package except the Arrow. Also the new Seneca V will come equipped with the G1000. Caldecott stated that all 2013 Archer production slots are sold out and Piper is accepting orders for 2014 models. Caldecott attributed the orders to flight school needs.

Piper flew an Archer (pictured) from the Vero Beach plant to Oshkosh fueled by 93 octane unleaded ethanol free automotive fuel in their continuing efforts to certify the aircraft on this fuel source. All indications show that the aircrafts performance is largely unaffected by the auto grade gas. Just how this fuel conversion will be accepted by the public, and its continued safety given the high probability that aircraft will get fueled with ethanol blended gasolines is yet to be seen.

Jeppeson Nav Data is now offered on all new aircraft and Piper is sponsoring the GAMA build a plane effort here at AirVenture. During the question and answer session Caldecott was asked about diesel R&D and said it was under consideration within the company but was reticent divulging any meaningful details.

FMI: www.Piper.com