Story ID: 
Piper Aircraft touts accomplishments in 2023
By: Martha Jercinovich
Caption: Piper Aircraft shares 2023 accomplishments and initiatives, including the addition of Garmin PlaneSyncTM to the M600/SLS, approval of SAF in turboprops, 2 new flight schools, and more.
Word Count: 1330
Piper Aircraft is proud to share a strong start to 2023 following a successful 2022, which included celebrating our 85th anniversary and rolling out exciting innovations company wide. We delivered 236 total aircraft in 2022, and are on track to surpass our delivery number from previous years in both the trainer and M-Class families in 2023.
Piper Aircraft announced some extraordinary accomplishments and initiatives as a company at the beginning of this year. In late March, we shared that once again Piper will be the first OEM to market with the latest technology from Garmin—PlaneSyncTM. This new connected aircraft management system is available for Piper’s flagship product, the M600/SLS. PlaneSyncTM allows owners to stay connected to their M600/SLS by remotely accessing key information about their airplane through the Garmin Pilot app, including but not limited to viewing fuel levels, oil temperature, exact aircraft location and weather, and database currency status. Another key feature of PlaneSyncTM is that it will automatically update aircraft databases when connected via a 4G LTE connection or Wi-Fi. Kits for the M600/SLS will be available in late Q4—for more information, please reach out to our Global Customer Support Department or your local Piper Dealer.
In addition to PlaneSyncTM, Piper has worked closely with Garmin to incorporate even more updates into the G3000 system. The expanded software includes enhancements to synthetic vision, onboard weather radar, taxiway routing depiction, glide range ring capabilities, and stabilized approach callouts for increased situational awareness, to name a few.
In April at AERO Friedrichshafen in Germany, we announced the approval of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in Piper turboprops, including the M600/SLS, M600, M500, and Meridian. This represents an exciting next step toward Piper’s commitment to making aviation a safer, greener, and more accessible industry. The new SAF includes the designation as Jet A and Jet A-1, and the introduction of SAF to the Piper turboprop line will not require a change in aircraft placarding or Pilot’s Operating Handbooks. SAF is not only FAA approved via SAIB NE-11-56R4, but is available for use in every country that turbine M- Class aircraft operate.
The SAF announcement comes at the heels of another recent commitment from Piper to promote sustainability in general aviation, initially revealed at EAA AirVenture 2022. Piper Aircraft and CAE are collaborating on an electrically powered conversion kit via a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for in-
service Archer TX aircraft. Upon certification, CAE plans to convert two-thirds of their existing Piper Archer TX training fleet, and will be the first to develop a curriculum for new pilots to conduct training in an electric airplane. These Archer TX advancements will significantly reduce carbon emissions, while preparing pilots to operate greener, electric aircraft.
Within our trainer family, our Flight School Alliance continues to expand, and now includes Blue Line Aviation, best known for their six-month Career Pilot Program, a career-driven program awarding students certifications from Private Pilot through Multi Engine Instructor. Their primary location is in Johnston County, North Carolina, and they have just recently announced an expansion to Winter Haven, Florida. At the Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo earlier this year, Blue Line Aviation signed a purchase agreement for up to 115 Piper Archer TXs and Seminoles, which will be utilized at both flight training locations. The transition from their existing fleet to an all-Piper fleet will take place over the next four years.
In addition to Blue Line, Piper also announced at EAA AirVenture the newest fleet deal with Sierra Charlie Aviation, a nationally ranked Part 61 flight school based in Scottsdale, Arizona, currently operating a twin-engine Piper Seminole. Sierra Charlie Aviation has placed an order for fifty (50) Archer TX aircraft, with deliveries beginning in 2026, and these new Piper trainers will serve as a full replacement of their existing fleet of competitive single engine aircraft.
In Q3, Piper Aircraft, Inc. announced that it has been awarded approval from Transport Canada’s Civil Aviation (TCCA) authorities and Brazilian National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) for its M600/SLS HALO safety system with Garmin Autoland and stand-alone auto-throttle.
Piper Aircraft, Inc. announced aircraft delivery and revenue results for Q2 2023, where its performance surpassed those from the same quarter in 2022 while the general aviation market continues to stabilize. Compared to aircraft deliveries and revenue in Q2 2022, deliveries increased by nearly 14% (up by 7 aircraft) and revenue has increased by more than 19% (increased by over $9 million). This success is driven by a strong demand for both Piper’s M-Class and Trainer aircraft, with the M-Class retail backlog reaches well into 2024, and the trainer backlog extends into late 2025 and 2026 depending on the trainer model.
For more information on recent updates from Piper Aircraft, come see us at NBAA 2023 at Booth AD_44 and N4718. We will have three aircraft that will be showcased at our booth; the flagship M600/SLS, M350 and Archer LX.
 About Piper Aircraft, Inc.:
Piper Aircraft Inc., headquartered in Vero Beach, FL, offers aviators throughout the world efficient and reliable single- and twin-engine aircraft and is the first general aviation aircraft manufacturer in the world to certify Garmin Autoland. The single-engine M-Class series–the M600/SLS, M500, and M350– offers businesses and individuals elegant performance, value and a superior ownership experience. The Personal Class Archer LX and Archer DLX balance proven performance, efficiency, and simplicity in a piston-powered aircraft. The Trainer Class Pilot 100i, Archer TX, Archer DX, and Seminole aircraft form the most complete technically-advanced line of pilot training aircraft in the world. Piper is a member of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association.
Business Aircraft:M600/SLS
Piper Aircraft Inc., headquartered in Vero Beach, Fl., offers aviators throughout the world efficient and reliable single and twin-engine aircraft and is the first general aviation aircraft manufacturer in the world to certify Garmin Autoland. The single-engine M-Class series – the M600SLS, M500, and M350 – offers businesses and individuals elegant performance, value and a superior ownership experience. The Personal Class, Archer LX and Archer DLX balance proven performance, efficiency, and simplicity in a piston-powered aircraft. The Trainer Class Pilot 100i, Archer TX, Archer DX, and Seminole aircraft form the most complete and technically-advanced line of pilot training aircraft in the world. Piper is a member of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. To learn more about Piper Aircraft, visit the company’s website at www.piper.com.
M500
From Piper’s first single engine turboprop legacy, the Piper Meridian, comes the incredible Piper M500. Featuring the reliability of Pratt & Whitney’s PT6A-42A engine and the tried-and-true PA-46 airframe, the M500 is ready to support you throughout a variety of missions. Your passengers will appreciate the luxuriously appointed interior, with an added level of safety coming from the impressive Garmin G1000 NXi avionics suite.
M350
Take flight in the only pressurized piston single engine aircraft in production today, the Piper M350. With a 350 HP Lycoming TIO-540 twin-turbocharged engine, and a maximum cruising altitude of 25,000 ft/7620 m, the M350 effortlessly provides the Freedom of Flight to you and your passengers. With an advanced Garmin G1000 NXi three-screen avionics display and an impressive group of safety features that come standard, your M350 gives you the flexibility to bring you and your passengers to your favorite destinations in luxurious comfort.
Personal Aircraft:Archer LX
The Archer® LX is among one of the most recognized single-engine, four-place aircraft available today for the private owner, taking the venerable Cherokee fuselage and redefining it to embody modern personal luxury. With a 180-horsepower Lycoming engine, advanced Garmin G1000 NXi avionics and a leather-appointed, stylish interior, the Archer® LX is an elegant and reliable aircraft. Whether you want to continue to grow your initial flight experience, take your aircraft on cross-country adventures, or even step into the Piper family of products, the Archer LX is your perfect Piper fit.