Story ID: 
Piper M500 Cleared for Europe
By: Kerry Lynch
Caption: EASA validation comes as Piper plans sales campaign in Europe.
Word Count: 147
Piper received European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approval for the M500 turboprop single, the Vero Beach, Fla.-based aircraft manufacturer announced yesterday. EASA validation enables operators to register the aircraft in Europe.

“EASA certification is an important milestone allowing us to kick off a major sales campaign to bring the M500 to the European market,” said Piper president and CEO Simon Caldecott. “Its reliable Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-42A engine, unpaved field approval and the added safety of the enhanced autopilot flight control system make the M500 well suited for European topography and the market's requirements.”

Formerly known as the Meridian, the five-place aircraft has Garmin G1000 avionics with an Aspen EFD-1000 standby indicator and features such as electronic stability protection and synthetic vision. Priced at $1.99 million, the turboprop has a 1,000-nm range and flies at up to 260 knots.