Piper Incorporates Garmin G1000 in Seminole and Archer Models

Nov. 12, 2012
Launch customer for the new Garmin G1000-equipped Pipers is the Florida Institute of Technology.

VERO BEACH, Fla., Nov. 12, 2012 - Piper Aircraft, Inc. is incorporating the Garmin G1000 avionics suite into new twin-engine Piper Seminole and single-engine Piper Archer aircraft models available in 2013. Launch customer for the new Garmin G1000-equipped Pipers is the Florida Institute of Technology.

Piper made the announcement at the company's 75th anniversary celebration and fly-in here earlier. Garmin's G1000 is a seamlessly integrated all-glass avionics that makes flight information easier to scan and process. G1000's design brings new levels of situational awareness, simplicity and safety to the cockpit.

The Florida Institute of Technology's College of Aeronautics will take delivery of eight single-engine Piper Archer TX training airplanes equipped with the G1000 during 2013 and also has options on 16 additional trainers (Archer TX or twin-engine Seminole) for future delivery, bringing the total potential new aircraft under the agreement to a fleet of 24 aircraft.

"Piper President and CEO Simon Caldecott said, "Building on the system's success in our M-Class aircraft, the G1000 will put a wealth of flight-critical data at the finger tips of Seminole and Archer pilots." Caldecott said Piper is the only airplane manufacturer to offer proven durable all metal single and twin-engine training aircraft.

An added benefit is commonality of the flight deck, maintenance and parts for Piper's single and twin-engine training aircraft. Additionally Piper offers a single point of contact for customer service, operational and training practices in low-wing aircraft that are ideally suited for pilot learning.

The G1000 flight deck presents flight instrumentation, navigation, weather, terrain, traffic and engine data on large-format, high-resolution displays. It replaces the G500 suite currently on Seminole and Archer aircraft. Garmin's reliable GRS77 Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS) provides accurate, digital output and referencing of aircraft position, rate, vector and acceleration data.

About the Piper Seminole

The Piper Seminole is an advanced training aircraft with consistency and proven reliability in more than 20 years of service and hundreds of thousands of hours in flight school environments throughout the world. Students admire the airplane for its ability to teach advanced flight training maneuvers and procedures. Instructors appreciate the Piper Seminole's ability to teach these lessons in a safe and forgiving manner. Flight school owners appreciate the Piper Seminole's ability to keep students and instructors happy while increasing operating revenue. The Seminole is a twin-engine piston powered aircraft that seats four and is equipped with ThermaCool air conditioning. It is powered by two Lycoming L/O -360-A1H6 each generating 180 hp. Its cruising speed at 75 percent power is 162 KTAS / 300 km/h. Its range is 700 nm / 1,426 km. Standard equipment includes the Garmin G1000.

About the Piper Archer TX

The Piper Archer fulfills two missions with one airplane. The first mission is learning to fly. The second is gaining experience and knowledge in a very capable instrument cross-country airplane. As a classroom, the Piper Archer provides everything needed to learn to safely fly. Standard instrumentation includes the Garmin G1000 glass cockpit system, a perfect mixture of low workload and high technology. Comfortable leather seats are standard, and the option for factory-installed air conditioning adds to the Archer's appeal as a training aircraft. It is powered by the 180 hp Lycoming 0-360-A4M and offers 128 ktas / 237 km/h cruise speed.

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.