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78-746: Between its founding in 1927 and the end of 2009, the company produced 144,000 aircraft in 160 certified models, of which 90,000 are still flying. The company was founded as the Taylor Brothers Aircraft Manufacturing Company in September 1927 by brothers Clarence G. Taylor and Gordon A. Taylor in Rochester, New York . The company was renamed Taylor Brothers Aircraft Corporation in April 1928, shortly before Gordon Taylor died in an aircraft accident flying one of

156-460: A Philadelphia-based investment firm. In July 2003, American Capital Strategies, Ltd. bought 94% of Piper's voting equity. In July 2006, a partnership with Honda was announced to market the new HA-420 HondaJet . The following month, the firm dropped the "New" from its name, reverting to Piper Aircraft . In response to the late 2000s recession , the company announced in November 2008 that it

234-469: A certificate of airworthiness (CoA). A CoA is issued for each aircraft that is properly registered if it conforms to its type design and ready for safe operation. The CoA is valid and the aircraft may be operated as long as it is maintained in accordance with the rules issued by the regulatory authority. The concept of a 'type certificate' was introduced by the "Air Navigation Regulations" published in May 1919 by

312-479: A few prototypes are built, each subject to different tests. The prototypes are first used for ground and system tests. One of the prototypes (known as the "static airframe") is subject to destructive testing, i.e., the prototype is subject to stress beyond normal and abnormal operations until destruction. The test-results are compared with initial submitted calculations to establish the ultimate structural strength. Other prototypes will undergo other systems tests until

390-401: A given amount of time in order to avoid a situation where the applicant would have to change the design as a result of changed regulation. An initial design sample known as a prototype is built. This refers to either the aircraft, the engines or the propeller, depending on the basis of the certification. For the purpose of illustration, the discussion shall be limited to the aircraft. Normally

468-516: A new variant may require re-certification. Again the basic process of type certifications is repeated (including maintenance programs). However, unaltered items from the basic design need not be retested. Normally, one or two of the original prototype fleet are remanufactured to the new proposed design. As long as the new design does not deviate too much from the original, static airframes do not need to be built. The resultant new prototypes are again subjected to flight tests. Upon successful completion of

546-740: A particular type design. ADs are used by the certifying authority to notify aircraft owners and operators of unsafe conditions and to require their correction. ADs prescribe the conditions and limitations, including inspection, repair, or alteration under which the product may continue to be operated. With increasing in-service experience, the type certificate holder may find ways to improve the original design resulting in either lower maintenance costs or increased performance. These improvements (normally involving some alterations) are suggested through service bulletins to an aircraft owners/operators as optional (and may be extra cost) items. The owner/operator shall exercise their discretion whether or not to incorporate

624-408: A program's profitability. A type certificate (TC) is issued to signify the airworthiness of the approved design or "type" of an aircraft to be manufactured. The TC is issued by a regulatory authority, and once issued, the design cannot be changed unless at least part of the process for certification is repeated to cover the changes. The TC reflects a determination made by a regulatory authority that

702-591: A proposed takeover by competing French manufacturer Socata failed over the issue of product liability. Production of the flagship Cheyenne 400 ended in February 1993 with only 43 being built since its inception a decade earlier. In 1995, the company emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy and was renamed New Piper Aircraft . As part of the end of bankruptcy protection, the company was sold to Newco Pac Inc., itself owned by Piper's creditors (including major creditor, aircraft engine manufacturer Teledyne Continental Motors ) and

780-562: A research and development center at the former naval air station; in 1961 Piper moved administrative and manufacturing operations here. By 1967 Piper had expanded its facility to 11 acres (45,000 m ) and its workforce to over 2,000. Manufacturing of Piper Aircraft at the Vero Beach facility ceased in the mid-1980s when increasing product liability insurance premiums made continued operation financially impossible. Upon limitation of liability by new legislation by United States Congress in

858-547: A result, the company owed US$ 1.5 million. Piper is looking for forgiveness of the debt. Also in December, Piper came under the direct ownership of the government of Brunei. In July 2015 the company announced it was laying off 15-20% of its workers, about 150 people, as sales were faltering amongst world markets, especially Asia, Latin America and Europe. In February 2018, Piper announced the largest order of trainer aircraft in

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936-439: Is a 1,707-acre (6.91 km ) tower-controlled facility with an FAR Part 139 operating certificate. The airport has seen commercial passenger service from mainly regional airlines in the past including USAir Express flights to Melbourne and Orlando in the 1990's. However, commercial service ended for nearly two decades when American Eagle flew its last flight to Miami in February 1996. Elite Airways began operating flights from

1014-446: Is issued by the aircraft operator and approved by the regulatory authority of the state of registry to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft of the type owned by the operator. Maintenance tasks outlined in the maintenance program have to be scheduled and timely accomplished in order for the airworthiness certificate of their aircraft to remain valid. Other continuing airworthiness activities include additional tasks associated with

1092-544: Is publicly owned and is the home of Piper Aircraft . In 1929, Bud Holman, whose sons and grandsons now operate Sun Aviation, was one of the group that built the airport in Vero Beach. The Vero Beach Regional Airport was dedicated in 1930 and in 1932 Eastern Air Lines began refueling there. In 1935 EAL started passenger and mail service from Vero Beach, making Vero Beach the smallest little airport in Florida to have airmail service, continuing until about January 1973. By

1170-401: Is to initiate a modification by the type design holder (manufacturer), and the other is to request a third party Supplemental type certificate (STC). The choice is determined by considering whether or not the change constitutes a new design (i.e. introduces risk not considered in the first type design). If so, then type design holder must develop and approve a modification to the type design. If

1248-665: The Brooklyn Dodgers to take over barracks facilities from the closed naval air station for winter and spring training. The Dodgers liked the area so much that Dodgertown was born, a 110-acre (0.45 km ) tract next to the airport, as their training grounds. The Dodgers continued to use the facility even after becoming the Los Angeles Dodgers until they moved to a new facility in Glendale, Arizona in 2008. In 1957 Piper Aircraft selected Vero Beach for

1326-802: The Caribbean, Colt and Tri-Pacer , two versions of the PA-24 Comanche , the Pawnee, the Apache and its new larger derivative the Aztec . The following year, the PA-28 Cherokee was the first type to enter production at the new Vero Beach factory. The Cherokee replaced the Tri-Pacer and Colt, which ended their production runs in 1961 and 1964 respectively. By the later part of the decade, Vero Beach

1404-913: The Great Depression . This aircraft was the E-2 Cub . In December 1935, after a series of clashes, William Piper bought out C. G. Taylor, who left the company and went on to form the Taylorcraft Aircraft Company . On March 16, 1937, a fire destroyed the Bradford Piper factory and the company relocated to an abandoned silk mill in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania . In 1937, it was renamed Piper Aircraft Corporation. Piper continued operations in Lock Haven throughout World War II, building military versions of its J-3 Cub as

1482-726: The Lakeland, Florida , location in May 1981, with 20 people. Employment at both of Piper's Lakeland divisions peaked at 2,200 later that year. The Piper PA-42 Cheyenne IV and the Piper T-1020 / Piper T-1040 aircraft were manufactured in Lakeland during that time. Piper also maintained a fully staffed research and development center in Lakeland, including the "X" shop, which developed the Piper PA-48 Enforcer . The airline division provided aircraft for commuter airlines in

1560-673: The PiperJet , the Meridian G1000 and the Matrix , and negotiated a new business partnership with Honda. He also negotiated $ 32 million in incentives from the state and county that retained Piper's factory in Vero Beach, Florida. On 2 November 2009, company president John Becker announced his resignation effective 1 December 2009 "to pursue other career opportunities". Becker was replaced as president by CEO Kevin Gould. On 4 January 2010,

1638-651: The Susquehanna River to flood in June. The manufacturing plant was flooded to a depth of 16 feet (4.9 m), effectively destroying about 100 aircraft and causing an estimated $ 23 million in damage. Much of the tooling necessary for production of several designs, including the Aztec, Navajo, and Comanche, was also destroyed, and the Piper PA-31T Cheyenne program received a setback when the prototype

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1716-602: The Vero Beach Municipal Airport . Vero Beach was initially used as a center for design work under Fred Weick , with the first aircraft developed there being Piper's first agricultural aircraft , the PA-25 Pawnee , announced in 1958 and entering production the following year at Lock Haven. In 1960, the line of Piper aircraft consisted of agricultural and two-passenger variants of the Super Cub,

1794-781: The A340-600 which is based on the Airbus A340-200 and the A340-300. Any additions, omissions or alterations to the aircraft's certified layout, built-in equipment, airframe and engines, initiated by any party other than the type certificate holder, need an approved supplementary ("supplemental" in FAA terminology) type certificate, or STC. The scope of an STC can be extremely narrow or broad. It could include minor modifications to passenger cabin items or installed instruments. More substantial modifications may involve engine replacement, as in

1872-483: The Altaire project and would be laying off 150 of its 850 employees, plus 55 contract workers, due to the program's cancellation. In December 2011, Piper announced it was attempting to renegotiate the 2008 deal it had made with the state of Florida and Indian River County for incentives. The company did not meet its contractual requirements to employ 1,100 people by the end of 2009; instead, employment fell to 600, and as

1950-664: The Blackhawk modifications to Cessna Conquest and Beechcraft King Air turboprops , or a complete role change for the aircraft, such as converting a B-17 or Stearman into an agricultural aircraft. STCs are applied due to either the type certificate holder's refusal (frequently due to economics) or its inability to meet some owners' requirements. STCs are frequently raised for out-of-production aircraft types conversions to fit new roles. Before STCs are issued, procedures similar to type certificate changes for new variants are followed, likely including thorough flight tests. STCs belong to

2028-574: The Cub from Lock Haven. That year, Piper led the American industry in light aircraft production. Almost 7,800 of the 35,000 civil aircraft built in the United States that year were Pipers, but a strike led to a shortage of steel tubing, interrupting production, and 1,900 workers had to be suspended as a result. The following year, the postwar general aviation boom ended. This led to a downfall for

2106-691: The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), Brazil’s Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil (ANAC), and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) of Australia. The certification encompasses flight approvals in known icing conditions and for operation on unpaved surfaces, enhancing the M700 FURY’s operational versatility. Deliveries for customers in Europe, Brazil, and Australia are set to begin by

2184-583: The L-4 Grasshopper. A total of 5,941 powered aircraft were built by the company for the US armed forces during the war, as well as training gliders , and aircraft components for other manufacturers, but its main contribution to the war effort was in the fabrication of steel masts for mounting radar antennas. In 1946, the company opened a new factory in Ponca City, Oklahoma , and transferred production of

2262-533: The Piper family agreed to sell Piper Aircraft to the Bangor Punta Corporation , which started an eight-year court battle with the losing bidder, Chris-Craft Industries , culminating in a Supreme Court decision in 1977. Piper discussed a merger with Swearingen but the deal was not completed. The Lock Haven facility was nearly destroyed in 1972 when torrential rains from Hurricane Agnes caused

2340-609: The PiperJet project and retain 1,417 employees through 2015. The company stated the move was precautionary. Piper spokesman Mark Miller said: "While this year has been a good one for Piper, we have taken measures to keep the company healthy and to weather any future adversity." In February 2009, the company announced it was laying off an additional 300 workers without notice immediately and the 650 remaining workers would be given unpaid weeks off in April and July to reduce unsold inventory. Piper spokesman Mark Miller stated company regretted

2418-499: The STC holder and are generally more restrictive than type certificate changes. The TC holder remains responsible for the continued integrity of the approved aircraft type design and must continue to be the focal point for resolving issues that may require corrective action. This requires the continued capability, or access to a capability, of providing appropriate technical solutions for service difficulties or mandatory corrective action. If

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2496-640: The Saratoga-II HPs and Saratoga TCs ended in 2009. On 21 January 2010 the company announced it had licensed the CZAW SportCruiser and intended to market it as the PiperSport. Piper CEO Kevin Gould said, "The PiperSport is an amazing entry-level aircraft that will bring new customers into Piper and lead the way for those customers to step up into more sophisticated and higher performance aircraft within our line over time." In January 2011,

2574-610: The UK's Secretary of State for Air , Winston Churchill . The Buhl-Verville CA-3 Airster was the first aircraft to receive a type certificate in the US, (i.e. A.T.C. No. 1) issued by the Aeronautics Branch of the Department of Commerce on March 29, 1927. Initially, the applicant design organisation submits documents to their local aviation regulating body, detailing how the proposed aircraft type design would fulfill

2652-700: The United States including Air New Orleans , Desert Sun in Long Beach, Shasta Air and Sun West Airlines , as well as internationally for Vickers for corporate transport use in the United Kingdom, Cameroon's Avia Services and to Piper's distributor in Colombia, Aero Leaver. In 1984, Piper changed hands when parent company Bangor Punta was acquired by Lear Siegler which, in turn, was acquired by Forstmann Little in 1986. Forstmann Little then sold Piper to M. Stuart Millar in 1987. Manufacture of light aircraft

2730-470: The aircraft affected. It also identifies the certification basis for regulatory compliance for the design change. The TC implies that aircraft manufactured according to the approved design can be issued an airworthiness certificate . To meet those requirements the aircraft and each sub-assembly must also be approved. For example, in the U.S. these sub-assemblies must meet requirements in the applicable Technical Standards Order (TSO). To meet those requirements

2808-429: The aircraft of a new type intended for serial production is in compliance with applicable airworthiness requirements established by the national air law . For up to three seats, primary category aircraft certification costs around US$ 1 million, US$ 25 million for a general aviation aircraft and hundreds of millions of dollars for a commercial aircraft ; certification delays can cost millions of dollars and can decide

2886-491: The aircraft's design envelope . In parallel with aircraft testing, the applicant firm also draws up maintenance program to support continuous airworthiness after approval of the design. The program is drawn with inputs from tests results and also from initial customers' engineering departments. The proposed maintenance program is submitted to the regulators for comment and approval. After successful completion of ground and flight tests, along with an approved maintenance program,

2964-561: The airport. The base was commissioned as Naval Air Station Vero Beach in 1942 and initially functioned as an operational training unit training for Naval Aviators beginning in February 1943 with the SB2A Buccaneer aircraft . In December 1944 the mission of NAS Vero Beach changed to night fighter training using F6F Hellcats and F7F Tigercats . Witham Field in Stuart was designated as Naval Auxiliary Air Station Witham Field and

3042-418: The airworthiness requirements. After investigations by the regulator, the final approval of such documents (after the required comments and amendments in order to fulfill the laws), becomes the basis of the certification. The firm follows it and draws a proposed timetable of actions required for certification tests. With the application, the regulations to be applied will usually be frozen for this application for

3120-489: The assets of the company for $ 761. Reorganized as the Taylor Aircraft Company, Piper effectively took control of the firm when he assumed the position of corporate secretary - treasurer , although he retained C. G. Taylor in the role of president . Piper, often called the " Henry Ford of Aviation", firmly believed a simple-to-operate, low-cost, private airplane would flourish, even in the darkest depths of

3198-427: The brothers' own designs, a Taylor Chummy , on April 24, 1928. The company was enticed to move to Bradford, Pennsylvania , with the promise of a larger facility and investment capital from local businessmen, including an initial investment of $ 400 from local oil industry engineer William T. Piper . The move was completed in September 1929. In late 1930, the company filed for bankruptcy and William T. Piper purchased

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3276-509: The bulletins and report the decision to the regulatory authority of the state of the aircraft registry. Sometimes SBs can become mandated by relevant ADs. Often the basic design is enhanced further by the type certificate holder. Major changes beyond the authority of the service bulletins require amendments to the type certificate. For example, increasing (or decreasing) an aircraft's flight performance, range and load carrying capacity by altering its systems, fuselage, wings or engines resulting in

3354-526: The certification program, the original type certificate is amended to include the new variant (normally denoted by a new model number additional to the original type designation). Typical examples are; the Boeing 737NG (737-600, 737-700, 737-800 and 737-900) which replaced the 737 Original family (737-100 and 737-200) and the 737 Classic family (737-300, 737-400 and 737-500) and the Airbus A340-500 and

3432-477: The community. At its peak NAS Vero Beach was home to 250 aircraft and 1,400 U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps personnel, to include Navy WAVES and Woman Marines . After the war, the installation was reduced to a skeletal staff and in 1947 the Navy closed NAS Vero Beach and returned it to the city for use again as a civil airport. In 1948 Major League Baseball arrived as Bud Holman, a local businessman, invited

3510-520: The company announced Boeing subsidiary Aviall would act as Piper's sole global parts distributor. In July 2010, CEO Kevin Gould resigned for unspecified reasons, having served just over a year in the post. Gould was replaced on an interim basis by Geoffrey Berger, managing director of Imprimus in Brunei, on behalf of the government of Brunei. Also in July 2010, longtime Piper media spokesman Mark Miller left

3588-515: The company announced it would add two more weeks of unpaid furlough for its employees in May and June, bringing the total to four weeks in 2009, citing a need to reduce inventory and cut expenses. In June 2010, the company announced it would shut down for a further week in August to save money. The lay-off affected all workers except those on the PiperJet program and some critical company business functions. On 1 May 2009, American Capital Strategies sold

3666-542: The company the same year, and the decision was made to develop a twin-engine aircraft. The company initially investigated producing the Baumann Brigadier , but later decided to develop a Stinson design, which became the PA-23 Apache . In its business planning following the war, it became clear the Lock Haven facility would not support larger manufacturing efforts, and in 1955 it acquired rights to property at

3744-572: The company to Singapore -based investment strategy company Imprimis , making a profit of US$ 31 million on the sale. Imprimis is funded by the Government of Brunei and has offices in Bangkok , Singapore and Brunei Darussalam . In June 2009, James Bass, CEO of Piper Aircraft since 2005, announced he would step down effective that same month. He was succeeded by VP of operations Kevin Gould. During his four years at Piper, Bass oversaw development of

3822-589: The company's history. Fanmei Aviation Technologies , which is Piper's exclusive dealer in China, placed an order for 152 aircraft. The deliveries will take place over a period of seven years. In April 2019 an even bigger order was announced: L3 Commercial Aviation will take delivery up to 240 new aircraft over the next 10 years. The order will consist of single-engine Piper Archers and twin-engine Piper Seminoles . In March 2021, CEO Simon Caldecott announced that he would retire in April 2021. CFO John Calcagno assumed

3900-476: The company. In September 2010, Piper announced the lay-off of an additional 60 production workers. Piper's interim CEO Geoffrey Berger stated: "Piper remains challenged by overall market weakness". The company hired 140 workers for the PiperJet program in 2009–10. Piper started renovation of a 75,000 sq ft (7,000 m) factory in Vero Beach in October 2010, with a completion goal of 2011. The facility

3978-687: The company. Piper's output reached 3,500 aircraft, less than half its 1946 total, and the company suffered an operating loss of more than $ 560,000. The board of directors replaced William Piper with William Shriver, a former Chrysler executive. Under Shriver, the product line was expanded with the introduction of the PA-14 Family Cruiser and PA-15 Vagabond . Piper introduced the Taxicub light charter concept at 1500 dealers and 52 distributors. In 1948, with two thirds of its workforce laid off, Piper only lost $ 75,000, but it found itself no longer

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4056-462: The design documents are examined for compliance with the applicable Minimum Operating Performance Standards (MOPS) applicable to that sub-assembly. MOPS are published by expert industry groups such as: RTCA Inc., EUROCAE, and SAE. When aircraft are produced to meet a given TC, each one need not be tested as rigorously but the confidence demonstrated by the TC is conferred, when the aircraft has been assigned

4134-504: The early 1990s, manufacturing began again in 1995. Skyborne Airline Academy, a leading flight training school, is also based at Vero Beach Regional Airport. The company purchased and rebranded the FlightSafety Academy in 2021 in order to expand its flight training to the United States. The flight school's focus is to provide a dynamic, engaging, and welcoming flight training environment. Today, Vero Beach Regional Airport

4212-442: The end of October 2024, following this milestone certification. Piper's J-3 Cub , a single-engine, high-wing, two-seater, was the first inexpensive training aircraft produced in large numbers. Many former military examples were sold to civilian owners over the 1950-1995 period and seem certain to see many more years in recreational use. The PA-28 Cherokee has been one of the company's most successful products. Both this design and

4290-483: The end of the 1930s the airport got runway lights and radio and teletype machines; in 1939, using Public Assistance workers, the runways were extended and a year later the Civil Aviation Administration spent $ 250,000 on more improvements. In 1942 the U.S. Navy notified Vero Beach that it had selected its airport for a naval air station and purchased 1,500 acres (6.1 km ) surrounding

4368-476: The frames outlined in a TC data sheet, and each given a serial number (a "series aircraft"). As the aircraft enters into service, it is subject to operational wear and tear which may cause performance degradations. The set of processes by which an aircraft, engine, propeller or part complies with the applicable airworthiness requirements and remains in a condition for safe operation throughout its operating life called continuing airworthiness . A maintenance program

4446-452: The holder is no longer capable or if the TC is transferred to another holder a regulatory authority should take appropriate action in accordance with the national legislation. In the case of the TC being transferred to another holder the new holder shall be capable of fulfilling the TC holder responsibilities in following ADs and providing technical support to keep the type design current with the applicable airworthiness requirements, even after

4524-618: The leader in a shrinking market, falling behind Cessna, which itself only delivered 1,600 aircraft; the Ponca City factory was closed. At the end of 1948, Piper bought the Stinson Aircraft Company for $ 3 million and Shriver left the company. The outbreak of the Korean War in 1950 helped to stimulate production at Piper, which again won large orders for military versions of the Cub. William Piper regained control of

4602-399: The licensing agreement with Piper was abruptly ended with Piper CEO Geoffrey Berger saying "the company has a different business perspective and approach to the market than Czech Sport Aircraft". Type certificate A type certificate signifies the airworthiness of a particular category of aircraft, according to its manufacturing design ( type design ). Certification confirms that

4680-504: The maintenance program and design changes to be accomplished via: Sometimes during service, the aircraft may encounter problems that may compromise the aircraft's safety, which are not anticipated or detected in prototype testing stages. The aircraft design is thus compromised. The regulators will now issue an airworthiness directive to the type certificate holder and to all owners globally. The directives normally consists of additional maintenance or design actions that are necessary to restore

4758-699: The moon for the Apollo program . As a result of the flood, and market factors, the company decided to end production of the Comanche and Twin Comanche . Piper opened a manufacturing division in Lakeland, Florida , in 1972 and through the 1970s, the Piper PA-31 Navajo , Chieftain, and Cheyenne III were manufactured at the more than 710,000-square-foot (66,000 m) facility on the Lakeland municipal airport. Piper opened its T1000 airline division at

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4836-417: The pain caused by the layoffs and indicated the employees would be rehired when the economy improves. He also said: "Even the willing buyers that we have find it incredibly difficult to get financing...We can't keep a full workforce on at this point when people aren't buying planes...If market conditions continue to deteriorate, it may be necessary for the company to take additional actions". On 24 February 2009,

4914-423: The production of the aircraft type has stopped but many out-of-production aircraft continue useful lives. STCs are also bound by the same rules. When the holder decides to stop supporting the aircraft type without the transfer of TC holder responsibilities, the TC is returned to the issuing regulatory authority and the remaining aircraft fleet can be grounded by the current states of registry until further decisions on

4992-399: The prototype is approved, and the firm is granted the TC for the prototype (as understood that it should include all furnished equipment for its intended role). The legal term for the firm is now the "type certificate holder". Subsequently, the prototype now serves as a template for serial aircraft production and the aircraft rolling out of the factory should be identical to the prototype within

5070-482: The registered aircraft continuing airworthiness. In this manner the whole Concorde fleet was finally grounded when Airbus SAS surrendered its TC. Vero Beach Municipal Airport Vero Beach Regional Airport ( IATA : VRB , ICAO : KVRB , FAA LID : VRB ) is a public airport located 1 mile (1.6 km) northwest of Vero Beach in Indian River County, Florida , United States. The airport

5148-433: The regulatory authority agrees the change does not introduce new risk, the STC option is available. An STC is less expensive because the design change can be developed by a specialized design organization, a generally more flexible and efficient process than going through the original manufacturer. The STC defines the product design change, states how the modification affects the existing type design, and lists serial numbers of

5226-541: The role of president and CEO in April 2021. In February 2024, Piper introduced a brand new aircraft, the M700 Fury. This aircraft had been secretly developed over the course of the past two years, and was a pleasant surprise to the aviation community. In October 2024, the Piper M700 FURY, a high-performance single-engine aircraft by Piper Aircraft, received type certification from several aviation authorities:

5304-529: The satisfaction of the regulators. With all ground tests completed, prototypes are made ready for flight tests. The flight tests are flown by specially approved flight test pilots who will fly the prototypes to establish the ultimate flight limits which should be within the airworthiness rules. If a long range airliner is tested, the flight tests may cover the whole world. Tests may also cover different environments - high and low altitude, freezing and hot climates, and so on, to confirm correct performance throughout

5382-696: The twin-engined PA-34 Seneca are used for pilot training around the world. The PA-23 Apache was one of the first aircraft associated with the term "air taxi", although it was superseded in that role by faster and more spacious designs from competitors Beechcraft and Cessna. Beginning production in 1965, the PA-32 series provided six- or seven-seat, single-engine designs based on the smaller Cherokee. Variously named Cherokee Six, Lance, and Saratoga, these were available as both fixed- and retractable-gear models and also with normally aspirated, fuel-injected, and turbocharged engines. The PA-32s proved popular with private owners, air taxi, and freight companies. Production of

5460-469: The type design is in compliance with airworthiness requirements. Examples of regulatory authorities are the United Kingdom's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), Transport Canada , Brazil’s Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil and the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). When changes are needed to an airframe or on-board equipment, there are two options. One

5538-399: The type's airworthiness. Compliance is mandatory and thus if an operator does not comply with an AD, then the datum aircraft is not considered airworthy and further operation of the affected aircraft type would be unlawful , making the operator liable to legal action by the relevant national aviation authority, and rendering null-and-void any of the operator's insurance policies relating to

5616-479: The type, such as hull loss and accident third party coverage. ADs may also be raised with changes of the local or global aviation rules and requirements, e.g., the requirement to fit armored cockpit doors for all passenger airliners after the September 11 attacks . The certifying authority issues an AD when an unsafe condition is found to exist in a product (aircraft, aircraft engine, propeller, or appliance) of

5694-478: Was a subordinate base of NAS Vero Beach. Airfields at Sebastian/Roseland (OLF Roseland) and Fort Pierce (OLF Fort Pierce) also served as outlying landing fields. Air-sea rescue of downed pilots was provided from Fort Pierce. Over 237,100 hours of flight time occurred between 1942 and the base closing in 1946. Base personnel were quartered in the Beachland Hotel, The Sebastian Inn, and other facilities in

5772-517: Was building 7,000 Cherokees per year. In 1963, Piper supported Betty Miller 's successful attempt to be the first female pilot to fly solo across the Pacific Ocean , during which she delivered a twin-engine Piper aircraft from Oakland, California, USA to Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. In September 1964, Piper flew the prototype of its new PA-31 Navajo cabin-class twin for the first time, after two-and-a-half years of development. In 1969,

5850-561: Was damaged just after the Federal Aviation Administration awarded it Type Certification . Initial deliveries of the new PA-31-350 Chieftain were also delayed by several months. After the flood, Piper gave 32 written-off PA-28s, PA-31s and PA-23 Aztecs to NASA , which used them for crash tests at the Langley Research Center , using a rig originally built to simulate spacecraft landings on

5928-483: Was impacted in the mid-1980s when increasing product liability insurance premiums made operation financially difficult for Piper and other American manufacturers of light aircraft. In a bid to improve sales, Piper cut prices for its aircraft and the company became unprofitable. In 1991 the Lakeland, Florida factory was sold and closed and by July that year the workforce had shrunk to 45; with only $ 1,000 in available cash remaining, Piper filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after

6006-480: Was intended to be used to build the PiperJet. On 17 October 2011, the company announced Simon Caldecott had replaced Geoff Berger as interim CEO. At the same time, executive vice president Randy Groom also resigned from the company and it was announced that the Piper Altaire program was "under review". Only one week later, on 24 October 2011, Piper Aircraft announced it had "indefinitely suspended" all work on

6084-418: Was reducing its work-week to save money while avoiding lay-offs. Piper is party to an agreement with the state of Florida that will see the company benefit from $ 32 million in incentives in exchange for increasing its work force to 1400 people and building the PiperJet in the state. In December 2008, the company announced it would defer the $ 10 million incentive that required hiring 400 new workers by 2012 for

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