Story ID: 730
Piper’s M600 Wins EASA Certification 
By: James Wynbrandt
Caption: Single engine turboprop drives the company’s 60 percent increase in Q1 revenues
Word Count: 452

Piper received EASA type certification for the M600 six-seat turboprop single last month at EBACE. The type certificate was presented by Steven Higgins, EASA section manager for high-performance aircraft and turboprops. “This is a significant day for Piper,” said Simon Caldecott, Piper president and CEO. “With the recent EASA approval for single-engine turbine airplanes to operate [commercially] at night or in instrument conditions, the M600 is ideally positioned to take advantage of this expanded opportunity.” Caldecott noted this is the fifth certification for the M600, which received FAA certification last year. The airplane made its EBACE debut on the static display line.

The M600’s European tour has already led to firm sales contracts for three aircraft, with more pending, Caldecott said, and he expects sales growth during the year “as the aircraft demonstration tours continue and international type certifications are achieved.”

The M600, powered by a 600-shp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-42A, has a maximum cruise speed of 274 ktas, range of 1,484 nm, 2,400-pound useful load and a Garmin G3000 avionics suite. A Hartzell five-blade propeller and flight-into-known-icing system received FAA certification this year, and the company has introduced a personalization package for the aircraft, enabling customers to specify interior elements in the cabin as well as the exterior paint scheme.

Also at the show, Cirrus executives received a freshly signed type certificate approval from EASA officials for the SF50 Vision Jet. The Duluth, Minn.-based aircraft manufacturer also delivered the first of the new jet singles to a customer in Europe.

“This is an exciting day for Cirrus and for our customers throughout Europe,” said Pat Waddick, Cirrus president of innovation and operations. “EASA approval of the Vision Jet type certificate paves the way for a ramp up of aircraft deliveries in Europe and continues to propel Cirrus into new markets across the world.”

EASA approval comes seven months after the FAA certified the Cirrus jet. Earlier this month, the company received the FAA production certificate for the SF50. In addition, the Vision Jet recently received approval from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Australia.

Cirrus said it is now ramping up manufacturing to one aircraft per week. The production rate goal is 100 aircraft per year next year, and eventually as many as 125 annually. The company holds orders for 600 SF50s worth some $1 billion.

The $1.995-million SF50 is equipped with the Cirrus Perspective Touch cockpit based on the Garmin G3000 avionics suite and powered by a single 1,800-pound-thrust Williams FJ33-5A turbofan. The aircraft is equipped with a ballistic whole-aircraft parachute system.

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