Piper Selects Garmin Avionics For The Revolutionary Piperjet

ATLANTA, GA, NBAA, Sept. 25, 2007 — Piper Aircraft, Inc. announced here today that it has selected one of the world’s premier avionics manufacturers – Garmin International Inc. – to provide the avionics suite for its all-new, revolutionary PiperJet. The announcement was made at the 60th annual National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Convention, where Piper first unveiled the PiperJet last year.

"The Piper Jet is a revolutionary new aircraft combining performance, style, utility, capability and pricing," said James K. Bass, President & CEO of Piper Aircraft. "Piper has had a long and close history with Garmin, and we are excited about what they will bring to the PiperJet. Simply put, in selecting Garmin for the Piper Jet, we focused on state-of-the-art avionics for a best-in-class aircraft."

When it unveiled the PiperJet, Piper committed to providing unparalleled performance with the very latest in integrated glass avionics to complement and inform the aircraft’s luxurious interior and advanced manufacturing techniques pioneered by Piper. By integrating Garmin avionics in the PiperJet, Piper takes yet another step in providing advanced technology to the marketplace. "The PiperJet’s revolutionary design and impressive performance have positioned it to be another great Piper aircraft," said Gary Kelley, Garmin’s Vice President of Marketing. "We are proud to join the PiperJet team at such an exciting time and believe that this announcement is yet another example of our commitment to serve the entry-level business jet market."

Scheduled for delivery in 2010, the PiperJet will include the latest, state-of-the-art technology that customers expect from Garmin, including:

• Two primary flight displays (PFDs) that digitally integrate flight information on large-format displays for easy interpretation by the pilot. The PFDs interface with Garmin’s Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS), which features rapid, in-motion alignment — and can reliably align, even while the aircraft is in flight.

• A multifunction display (MFD) that puts all aircraft systems monitoring and flight-planning functions at the pilot’s fingertips. The MFD depicts a composite view of the aircraft’s environment, enhancing situational awareness to provide the pilot with key information to make safe decisions during each phase of flight. Engine performance and situational data such as location, terrain, traffic, weather and airport information are all digitally depicted and can be easily interpreted at a glance on the large-format display.

• Included will be the seamless integration of Garmin’s Automatic Flight Control System, an attitude based, three-axis autopilot that makes it possible for pilots to maintain airspeed references and optimize performance over the entire airspeed envelope.

With its expansion into the jet market, Piper has revealed a clean-sheet design that incorporates the Williams FJ44-3AP turbofan engine to power the PiperJet, with a single-engine configuration designed for optimum power and cost-effective operation and maintenance. Renowned for their high performance and rugged reliability, the FJ44 family of engines set the standard in their class. With its state-of-the-art safety measures, and a strong, smooth all-metal body, the PiperJet will be capable of reaching a cruising speed of 360 knots* and a maximum operating altitude of 35,000 feet.* The six passenger PiperJet – with an option for either a seventh seat or enclosable lavatory – offers a mission-capable profile and sensuous luxury that set the standard in its class, with a range of 1,300 nautical miles* and a full-fuel payload of 800 lbs.*

"The PiperJet breaks the mold in offering an unparalleled blend of performance and luxury," Bass said. "In designing this revolutionary aircraft, we have assembled the finest team of engineers and designers and conducted an extensive consumer research effort to ensure that the PiperJet will be second to none. In effect, every measure has been taken to make sure that the PiperJet answers what our customers have told us they want and need in a jet, because at the end of the day, it’s not about being first to market, it’s about getting it right in the first place." The PiperJet proof-of-concept aircraft continues to advance through various stages of assembly, with its fuselage currently in Piper’s Flight Test hangar. In the meantime, construction continues on the primary and secondary airframe structures as completion of the proof-of-concept draws near.

"We’re making great progress with engineering evaluation and development, first flight and eventual certification," said Bob Kromer, Piper’s Vice President of Sales. Most recently, a 1/5-scale model of the PiperJet with remotely controlled flight surfaces completed three weeks of testing at the Kirsten Wind Tunnel at the University of Washington Aeronautical Laboratory in Seattle. In all, PiperJet testing focused on 973 individual data runs that provided Piper engineers with essential data for further aerodynamic analysis and product development.

The PiperJet will provide the final word in comfort and luxury. Focusing on the latest in ergonomic luxurious, design, the PiperJet will provide passengers with an interior that synthesizes a sophisticated color palette with a spacious, energetic design. The PiperJet incorporates a wealth of features. From rich leather seats, deep zebra wood details and rich fabrics and trim to perfectly placed storage, cup holders and docking stations for personal electronics, the PiperJet is equally attentive to pilot and passenger comfort and needs, reduced workload and ease of operation.

From Flight Into Known Icing (FIKI) to FADEC, the PiperJet’s focus is on optimal operational excellence, user-friendliness, and safety. Its design focuses on versatility and an elegant melding of form and function. Configured to be flown by a single pilot, the PiperJet will be certified in the Normal Category under FAA Part 23 and applicable foreign certification standards. It will also be RVSM certified. Moreover, its innovative design includes ample baggage space and class-setting useful load. The PiperJet will be certified to a maximum operating altitude well above the weather while combining performance with the latest safety technologies and features.

Priced from $2.199M (in 2006 USD with a CPI-W escalator), the PiperJet will provide unbeatable value while delivering Piper’s legendary uncompromising standards. "With the PiperJet," Kromer said, "we are creating an aircraft that not only meets customer expectations but also exceeds them. Our order book continues to grow in the face of stiff competition, as we define a new level of capability and features and set new standards of performance within general aviation. "