Piper evolves M600, amps up trainer deliveries

Piper COO Jim Funk said the company is not claiming any performance increases with the change, but it does result in about 15 pounds less weight and reduces noise and vibration compared to the stock Hartzell metal four-blade propeller. The composite design features a stainless steel shank, nickel cobalt leading edge, and mesh erosion screen for damage protection.

Customers also have the option of choosing the Expression package, which allows them to work with Piper designers to create a custom airplane. The $22,500 package includes a trip to the Vero Beach, Florida, factory to pick out accessories, such as custom-appointed ceiling bezels, leather-wrapped yokes, and seat stitching, which can include custom logos. Four new paint schemes are available exclusively for the EXP airplanes, which can be further customized using a variety of paint colors. Finally, the package includes a set of Tumi luggage customized to match the interior trim colors.

The M600 begins a European tour after the AERO Friedrichshafen show in Germany, also this week. Piper test pilots flew the airplane to the show via the Azores. The M600 then continues its global tour with stops in Asia and Africa.

Funk said 22 of the speedy turboprops were delivered in 2016.

While the M600 represents the top of the company product line, business at the lower end is strong as well. Piper will deliver another 16 Archers and four Seminoles starting in June to the University of North Dakota flight training program as it transitions from Cessnas to Pipers for its training fleet. UND ordered 100 training airplanes last year to be delivered over five years. The Archer TX and Seminole models include the G1000 NXi cockpit, the latest version of the system from Garmin.