Vero Beach, Fla., June 11, 2012 - Building on a robust first half of 2012 in Europe, Piper Aircraft Inc. and Winters Aviation sold the tenth new M-Class single-engine aircraft for delivery into the continent this year.
The latest transaction, involving a M-Class Meridian single-engine turboprop, was completed this past week during the Salon de l'Aviation Générale de Cannes at Cannes-Mandelieu Airport (LFMD). The new Meridian will begin service with a business owner in Spain later this year.
Standard equipped list price for a Piper Meridian is$2,133,650. M-Class aircraft include the turboprop Meridian, pressurized piston-engine Mirage and unpressurized piston Matrix.
"This is the first new Meridian sold into Spain in quite some time and is certainly the first 2012 Meridian sold to a customer in Spain," said Piper Director of Marketing and Communications Jackie Carlon, who represented Piper at the event. "Winters Aviation, our authorized new aircraft dealer in this part of the world, consummated the sale during the Cannes show."
10 M-Class Aircraft Into Europe During 2012
Piper's emphasis on its M-Class series, including the Meridian, at the Cannes exhibition reflects a growing trend in Europe toward new, more fuel-efficient business aircraft. With this latest sale, the company will deliver a total of 10 M-Class single-engine aircraft to retail customers in Europe this year. Three Meridians have been delivered in France so far in 2012.
"We have seen a spike in M-Class sales in Europe this year as buyers replace less fuel efficient twin-engine airplanes due to higher fuel costs," said Peter Winters, General Manager of Winters Aviation. "With Piper M-Class turboprops and piston-powered air planes, buyers keep their cabin-class travel options and yet they enjoy economical operations."
About the Piper Meridian
Designed to meet the stringent requirements of scheduled business and personal transportation, the Piper Meridian combines advanced Garmin avionics with the reliable, proven Pratt & Whitney PT6A-42A turboprop engine, resulting in an airplane up to the challenges of most demanding mission profiles.
The Meridian provides turboprop power, 1,000 nm range, 260 ktas cruise speed and Flight Into Known Icing. It also has strong takeoff and landing performance, especially in hot and high conditions, along with the ability to climb to altitude quickly and efficiently topping most weather and turbulence. Passengers enjoy the low vibration levels of the Meridian's turboprop engine, the comfort of a pressurized, air-conditioned cabin environment and seating similar to that found in aircraft costing twice as much.
About Winters Aviation
Winters Aviation was founded in 1996. With headquarters at Antwerp Airport, the company has extensive knowledge and expertise in aircraft sales, maintenance and aviation consulting. In 2007, Winters Aviation was appointed as exclusive importer and distributor of Piper Aircraft for Belgium, following two years later with the exclusive dealership in France for Piper Aircraft and its overseas territories. Winters is also a Part 145 Maintenance Organization.
About Piper Aircraft
Piper Aircraft, Inc. is headquartered in Vero Beach, Florida. A global force in aviation, Piper is an investment of the Ministry of Finance of the Government of Brunei. The company offers efficient single-engine and twin-engine trainer, personal and business aircraft. With economical acquisition and operating costs, Piper airplanes deliver the best value available today and into the future. Piper is a member of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association.
