VERO BEACH, Fla. - Sept. 3, 2014 - Piper Aircraft, Inc. received a Validation of Type Certificate issued by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) for its top-of-the-line M-Class single-engine aircraft. The Piper M-Class series consists of the turboprop Piper Meridian, the pressurized piston-powered Piper Mirage and the unpressurized piston-powered Piper Matrix.
"CAAC's approval of the Piper M-Class series is excellent news for Piper and prospective customers in China," said Piper President and CEO Simon Caldecott. "There is certainly a large potential market for personal and training aircraft in the world's most populous country, and our Chinese dealers can now offer economical flight operations for a wide range of customers, all featuring advanced Garmin avionics."
Piper Aircraft sales representatives in China for the Piper M-Class are Piper Summit Aircraft China Ltd, Zhuhai Hanxing General Aviation Co., Ltd, and Hebei Yuan'ao Aircraft Manufacturing Co., Ltd. In China, Piper Summit in Beijing has exclusive sales rights for the Piper Meridian, Zhuhai Hanxing in Zhuhai has exclusive sales rights for the Piper Matrix and Hebei Yuan'ao in Shijiazhuang has exclusive sales rights for the Piper Mirage.
About Piper M-Class Aircraft
M-Class aircraft offer Piper performance and safety in a proven airframe that has been an industry standard for years. Three refined derivatives comprise the full line: the Meridian, the Mirage and the Matrix. Each product fits its own niche and price point, and each aircraft provides a seamless step-up to the next level. Created to maximize the private travel experience, the M-Class line balances performance, efficiency and simplicity.
About the Piper Meridian
The Piper Meridian is a single-engine turboprop that seats six with club seating. It is powered by the Pratt & Whitney PT6A-42A 500shp engine, sports a 260 KTAS / 482 km/h max cruise speed and has a range of 1,000 nm / 1,852 km. Equipped with the Garmin G1000 avionics suite, the Meridian starts at $2,219,850.
About the Piper Mirage
The Piper Mirage is a single-engine pressurized piston that seats six with club seating. It is powered by the Lycoming TIO-540-AE2A 350hp engine and has a 213 KTAS / 395 km/h max cruise speed and a range of 1,343 nm / 2,487 km. Equipped with the Garmin G1000 avionics suite, the Mirage starts at $1,100,450.
About the Piper Matrix
The Piper Matrix is a single-engine unpressurized piston that seats six with club seating. It is powered by the Lycoming TIO-540-AE2A 350hp engine and has a 213 KTAS / 395 km/h max cruise speed and a range of 1,343 nm / 2,487 km. Equipped with the Garmin G1000 avionics suite, the Matrix starts at $939,950.
About Piper Aircraft
Piper Aircraft, Inc., headquartered in Vero Beach, Fla., offers aviators throughout the world efficient and reliable single-engine and twin-engine aircraft. The single-engine M-Class series-the Meridian, Mirage and Matrix- offers businesses and individuals elegant performance and value. The Twin Class Seneca V and Seminole balance proven performance, efficiency and simplicity in twin-engine aircraft. The Trainer Class Archer TX, Archer DX, Arrow, Seminole and Seneca V aircraft form the most complete technically-advanced line of pilot training aircraft in the world. All Piper airplanes feature advanced Garmin avionics in the cockpit. Piper is a member of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association.