Piper Aircraft has credited strong demand for the M600 single-engined turbo-prop and the Archer III range for an upward trend in sales figures.
The US manufacturer yesterday reported an increase in deliveries of 30% for the second quarter of 2017 compared to the same period last year, representing shipments of 32 aeroplanes and a revenue of $US52.1 million. In 2016, those numbers were 22 aeroplanes and $US23.4 million
Piper President and CEO, Simon Caldecott said the M600–which was not on the market this time last year–and the trainer range were both major contributors to the result.
"The addition of the class-leading M600 continues to drive revenue growth," he said. "Additionally, the demo tour of Europe and Africa has resulted in better than expected sales, with five aircraft sold today and several more pending. Furthermore, Piper's offering of the only complete trainer product line is helping further augment sales and long-term commitments from some of the world's leading flight training programs."
Caldecott also said that Piper's new approach to manufacturing aircraft was also paying dividends for the company.