Piper has announced it is dropping its marketing arrangement for the Czech-built PiperSport.
Up until now Piper has had a business relationship with Czech Republic-based Czech Sport Aircraft to market that company’s Light Sport Aircraft, but Piper says there are "differences in business philosophies" between the two.
"After a year working with Czech Sport Aircraft, Piper determined that it is in our company’s best long-term interests to discontinue the business relationship which distributed a Light Sport Aircraft manufactured by the Czech company and distributed under Piper’s brand by a separate distributor network,” said Piper CEO Geoffrey Berger. “
"Clearly, the company has a different business perspective and approach to the market than Czech Sport Aircraft.”
Piper had created a stand-alone distributor network specifically to market the aircraft manufactured and supported by Czech Sport Aircraft and branded as the PiperSport.
As the company built that distributor network, it became clear that Piper’s core strengths and that of Czech Sport Aircraft were mismatched.
“We at Piper have a close affinity with this emerging segment of the marketplace and we have great expectations for the LSA industry," Berger added.
"The LSA we were distributing is a good one and we encourage aviation enthusiasts to continue their support of this segment of the market.
“We certainly understand the implications of this development in the Light Sport Aircraft segment and do not take this action carelessly.”
Piper’s says its core philosophy is to execute leading aircraft programs where the company offers the most value to customers.
An example of this is Piper’s sustaining commitment to the PiperJet Altaire business jet program and the improvements the company is making to the global dealer and support infrastructure.
“As we have reiterated, Piper is committed to the company’s line of efficient and reliable personal, training and business aircraft," Berger continued.
"We also continue to support and strengthen an extraordinary global network of Piper dealers and agents dedicated to marketing and supporting these great Piper aircraft for the long-term.”