Piper starts on PiperJet Altaire

Piper Aircraft has started fabrication of the first conforming flight test article in its PiperJet Altaire light jet program.

Piper announced that fabrication started this week, with assembly to follow in August. The Vero Beach headquartered manufacturer is aiming to make the inaugural flight of the conforming PiperJet Altaire in 2012, with certification and customer deliveries to follow in 2014.

The PiperJet Altaire, the first entry into the jet market by the long-serving piston aircraft manufacturer, is expected to have a maximum range of 1300 nautical miles and a maximum cruise speed of 360 knots. The aircraft is expected to be priced competitively at around US$2.6 million.

CAPTION: The planned PiperJet Altaire cockpit. (Piper)

In addition to starting assembly of the first conforming flight test article later this year, Piper will begin fabrication and assembly of a structural test article, which will eventually be joined by three additional flying conforming test aircraft to become part of the certification program.

As part of the FAA certification program for the entry level jet, the manufacturer will also build a bird strike canopy and a fuel cell/vibration test wing. Construction of these articles will be underway during 2012.

“The Altaire is pioneering the single-engine business jet, just like the Piper Meridian and other single-engine turboprops have proven in rigorous worldwide use that the fundamental efficiencies and safety of centreline thrust aircraft deliver the greatest value to owners and operators,” Piper President and CEO Geoffrey Berger said.

Piper’s Brunei parent company Imprimis has invested US$5.6 million in upgrading Piper’s manufacturing facilities in Vero Beach for PiperJet production, and Piper currently has 200 engineers and production staff working towards the aim of delivering an, “entry-level business jet with the economics of a turboprop and the cabin size and capabilities of a much larger business jet”.
 
“The advantage that Piper has over other manufacturers with an interest in a single-engine jet is a solid underlying commitment by Imprimis, the owner of the company, to appropriately fund the program and see it through to successful completion,” Berger explained.

A number of other manufacturers have also recently received an injection of new funds to progress their entry level jet programs. These include Cirrus, whose Vision SF50 light jet will be fast-tracked to market by new owners China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Company (CAIGA), and Diamond, whose D-JET program has received a “significant investment” from a yet to be named source.


CAPTION: An depiction of the PiperJet Altaire's cabin interior. (Piper).