Piper announcement lands short of pre-conference ramp up
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By Jim Turner
Posted at 12:32 PM on October 04, 2007
Maybe it's just me, but I was expecting something a little more from Piper Aircraft Inc., today.
A little more than a modified propeller aircraft.
Not to disparage the Piper Matrix introduced Thursday at the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association conference at the Connecticut Convention Center.
But Indian River County just approved their latest incentive package to Piper that includes $16 million from local taxpayers, either directly or through a cut in services.
You'd think the company would have a little more to say.
Piper requested to speak first at the conference Thursday. Word was they had a big announcement to make.
A year ago, at the National Business Aviation Association Annual Meeting & Convention in Orlando, they introduced the PiperJet.
That was something new and the announcement in the aero community was big. The company was joining the growing field of very light jets makers that are to be the workhorse of the growing air taxi field.
Since that time the focus, at least locally, has been where Piper would build the PiperJet and if the company headquarters would remain at Vero Beach Municipal Airport.
A list of suitors has been narrowed.
Albuquerque, New Mexico has reportedly offered $70 million for Piper's relocation and Oklahoma City $35 million.
Indian River County initially offered $76.5 million, which like the current offer will include another $20 million from the state. But that was grounded after Piper officials said they didn't want to cause a community divide, which was growing over the $40 million in the package that would have required voter approval.
And now the time is getting short for the company to make a decision.
The AOPA has reported that Piper intends to begin delivering the PiperJet in 2010. The aircraft is deep into the design stage, but the manufacturing plant must still be located, approved and built.
The anticipation is growing. The company has not set a deadline to make its headquarters and PiperJet plant location announcement.
So you can understand why I was hoping for a little more than plans for a luxury six seat airplane that is priced below $1 million.
Instead we now have another aircraft that will need a construction facility.
Posted at 12:32 PM on October 04, 2007
Maybe it's just me, but I was expecting something a little more from Piper Aircraft Inc., today.
A little more than a modified propeller aircraft.
Not to disparage the Piper Matrix introduced Thursday at the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association conference at the Connecticut Convention Center.
But Indian River County just approved their latest incentive package to Piper that includes $16 million from local taxpayers, either directly or through a cut in services.
You'd think the company would have a little more to say.
Piper requested to speak first at the conference Thursday. Word was they had a big announcement to make.
A year ago, at the National Business Aviation Association Annual Meeting & Convention in Orlando, they introduced the PiperJet.
That was something new and the announcement in the aero community was big. The company was joining the growing field of very light jets makers that are to be the workhorse of the growing air taxi field.
Since that time the focus, at least locally, has been where Piper would build the PiperJet and if the company headquarters would remain at Vero Beach Municipal Airport.
A list of suitors has been narrowed.
Albuquerque, New Mexico has reportedly offered $70 million for Piper's relocation and Oklahoma City $35 million.
Indian River County initially offered $76.5 million, which like the current offer will include another $20 million from the state. But that was grounded after Piper officials said they didn't want to cause a community divide, which was growing over the $40 million in the package that would have required voter approval.
And now the time is getting short for the company to make a decision.
The AOPA has reported that Piper intends to begin delivering the PiperJet in 2010. The aircraft is deep into the design stage, but the manufacturing plant must still be located, approved and built.
The anticipation is growing. The company has not set a deadline to make its headquarters and PiperJet plant location announcement.
So you can understand why I was hoping for a little more than plans for a luxury six seat airplane that is priced below $1 million.
Instead we now have another aircraft that will need a construction facility.
