Piper Aircraft has delivered the first of its new PiperSport LSAs to a syndicate of three co-owners in Miami, Florida.
Piper President and CEO Kevin J. Gould handed over the keys to the co-owners at a ceremony at the annual Sun ’n Fun event in Florida in mid-April.
“The PiperSport is an amazing entry-level aircraft that will bring new customers to Piper,” Gould said. “It fits perfectly into our overall mission of delivering the very best airplanes. It will lead the way for customers to step up into more sophisticated and higher performance aircraft within our line over time.”
“The PiperSport is sexy!” Brian Garhammer, one of the co-owners, enthused upon receiving the keys to the aircraft. “You can go out and buy a BMW or a PiperSport for about the same money. But who wants a sports car when you can fly the PiperSport?”
Mike Morduant, another of the co-owners added, “I liked it from the get-go - its all-metal, conventional construction, its useful load, its range and the fact that when my son and I sat in it we weren’t crushing elbows. When I flew it, I really loved it. I was so happy to see that Piper agreed with me (on what was needed in the LSA segment).”
Manufactured by Czech Sport Aircraft, the PiperSport boasts a rate of climb of 1200 feet per minute, a maximum cruise speed of 138 miles per hour, a range of 600 nautical miles, and a ceiling of 10,000 feet.
There are three variants of the aircraft:
- the PiperSport, which sells for US$119,900;
- the PiperSport LT (primarily a training model), which sells for US$129,900; and
- the PiperSport LTD (professional model), which sells for US$139,900.
Each model features the latest in luxury – from leather seats to cutting-edge design – and is equipped with a 100hp Rotax 912 engine and a BRS complete aircraft parachute recovery system. Each model also features the same gross weight, speed, fuel capacity, and range.
Charlie Carlon, the third co-owner, put it best when he said, “Both Brian and I are retired airline pilots and this aircraft gives us the chance to enjoy aviation in a different light than we’ve had over the last 25 years. I’ve had a passion for aviation since I was a boy, and this airplane speaks to that passion. It’s fun to fly!”
Click here to watch a video preview of the PiperSport in our galleries section.