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Piper Aircraft
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryGeneral aviation
Founded1927
FounderWilliam Piper
HeadquartersVero Beach, Florida,
United States
Key people
CEO Simon Caldecott
CFO John Calcagno
OwnerBrunei Ministry of Finance
Websitewww.piper.com

Piper Aircraft, Inc., is a manufacturer of general aviation aircraft, located at the Vero Beach Municipal Airport in Vero Beach, Florida, United States and owned since 2009 by the Government of Brunei. Along with Beechcraft and Cessna, it was at one time considered one of the "Big Three" in the field of general aviation manufacturing.[1]

Between its founding in 1927 and the end of 2009, the company produced 144,000 aircraft in 160 certified models, of which 90,000 are still flying.[2]

History

Piper Aircraft Company factory in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, with the Piper Cub logo superimposed at the top
PA28-161 III
Piper Super Cub
Piper PA-28-161 Warrior II
Piper PA-34 Seneca-200T
Early-production PA-31 Navajo
Piper PA-32-RT-300T Turbo Lance II
Piper PA-44-180 Seminole

The company was originally founded as the Taylor Brothers Aircraft Manufacturing Company in September 1927 by Clarence Gilbert Taylor and Gordon A. Taylor in Rochester, New York. The company was renamed Taylor Brothers Aircraft Corporation in April 1928, shortly before Gordon Taylor died in an aircraft accident on April 24, 1928. The company was enticed to move to Bradford, Pennsylvania, with the promise of larger facility and investment capital from local businessmen, including an initial investment of $400 from local oil industry engineer William T. Piper. The move was completed in September 1929.[3]

1930s

In late 1930, the company filed for bankruptcy and William T. Piper purchased the assets of the company for $761.[3] Reorganized as the Taylor Aircraft Company, Piper effectively took control of the firm when he assumed the position of corporate secretary-treasurer, although he retained C. G. Taylor in the role of president.[3] Piper, often called the "Henry Ford of Aviation", firmly believed a simple-to-operate, low-cost, private airplane would flourish, even in the darkest depths of the Great Depression.[4] This aircraft was the E-2 Cub.[4]

In December 1935, after a series of clashes, William Piper bought out C. G. Taylor, who left the company and went on to form the Taylorcraft Aircraft Company. On March 16, 1937 a fire destroyed the Bradford factory and the company relocated to an abandoned silk mill in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. In 1937, it was renamed Piper Aircraft Corporation.[5]

1940s

Piper continued operations in Lock Haven throughout World War II, building military versions of its J-3 Cub as the L-4 Grasshopper. A total of 5,941 powered aircraft were built by the company for the US armed forces during the war, as well as training gliders, and aircraft components for other manufacturers,[6] but its main contribution to the war effort was in the fabrication of steel masts for mounting radar antennas.[7] In 1946, the company opened a new factory in Ponca City, Oklahoma and transferred production of the Cub from Lock Haven. That year, Piper led the American industry in light aircraft production. Almost 7,800 of the 35,000 civil aircraft built in the United States that year were Pipers, but a strike led to a shortage of steel tubing, interrupting production, and 1,900 workers had to be suspended as a result.[8][9]

The following year, the postwar general aviation boom ended. Piper's output reached 3,500 aircraft, less than half its 1946 total, and the company suffered an operating loss of more than $560,000.[8][10] The board of directors replaced William Piper with William Shriver, a former Chrysler executive.[10] Under Shriver, the product line was expanded with the introduction of the PA-14 Family Cruiser and PA-15 Vagabond.[10] Piper introduced the "Taxicub" light charter concept at 1500 dealers and 52 distributors.[11] In 1948, with two thirds of its workforce laid off, Piper only lost $75,000, but it found itself no longer the leader in a shrinking market, falling behind Cessna, which itself only delivered 1,600 aircraft; the Ponca City factory was closed.[8][10] At the end of 1948, Piper bought the Stinson Aircraft Company for $3 million and Shriver left the company.[12]

1950s

The outbreak of the Korean War in 1950 helped to stimulate production at Piper, which again won large orders for military versions of the Cub.[12] William Piper regained control of the company the same year, and the decision was made to develop a twin-engine aircraft. The company initially investigated producing the Baumann Brigadier, but later decided to develop a Stinson design, which became the PA-23 Apache.[12] In its business planning following the war, it became clear the Lock Haven facility would not support larger manufacturing efforts, and in 1955, it acquired rights to property at the Vero Beach Municipal Airport.[citation needed] Vero Beach was initially used as a center for design work under Fred Weick, with the first aircraft developed there being Piper's first agricultural aircraft, the PA-25 Pawnee, announced in 1958 and entering production the following year at Lock Haven.[13]

1960s

In 1960, the line of Piper aircraft consisted of an agricultural- and two-passenger variants of the Super Cub; the Caribbean, Colt and Tri-Pacer; two versions of the PA-24 Comanche; the Pawnee; and the Apache and its new larger derivative the Aztec.[14] The following year, the PA-28 Cherokee was the first type to enter production at the new Vero Beach factory.[15][16] The Cherokee replaced the Tri-Pacer and Colt, which ended their production runs in 1961 and 1964 respectively.[15] By the later part of the decade, Vero Beach was building 7,000 Cherokees per year.[17]

In September 1964, Piper flew the prototype of its new PA-31 Navajo cabin-class twin for the first time, after two-and-a-half years of development.[18][19]

In 1969, The Piper family agreed to sell Piper Aircraft to Bangor Punta Corporation, which started an eight-year court battle with the losing bidder, Chris-Craft Industries, culminating in a Supreme Court decision in 1977.[20]

1970s

Piper discussed a merger with Swearingen but the deal was not completed.[21] The Lock Haven facility was nearly destroyed in 1972 when torrential rains from Hurricane Agnes caused the Susquehanna River to flood in June. The manufacturing plant was flooded to a depth of 16 feet (4.9 m), effectively destroying about 100 aircraft and causing an estimated $23 million in damage.[22][23] Much of the tooling necessary for production of several designs, including the Aztec, Navajo, and Comanche, was also destroyed,[citation needed] and the Piper PA-31T Cheyenne program received a setback when the prototype was damaged just after the Federal Aviation Administration awarded it Type Certification.[24] Initial deliveries of the new PA-31-350 Chieftain were also delayed by several months.[25] After the flood, Piper gave 32 written-off PA-28s, PA-31s and PA-23 Aztecs to NASA, which used them for crash tests at the Langley Research Center, using a rig originally built to simulate spacecraft landings on the moon for the Apollo program.[26]

As a result of the flood, the company decided to end production of the Piper PA-24 Comanche[27] Piper opened a manufacturing division in Lakeland, Florida, in 1972 and through the 1970s, the Piper PA-31 Navajo, Chieftain, and Cheyenne III were manufactured at the more than 710,000-square-foot (66,000 m2) facility on the Lakeland municipal airport.[28]

1980s and 1990s

Piper opened its T1000 Airline Division at the Lakeland, Florida, location in May 1981, with 20 people. Employment at both of Piper's Lakeland divisions peaked at 2,200 later that year. The Piper PA-42 Cheyenne IV and the Piper T-1020/Piper T-1040 aircraft were manufactured in Lakeland during that time. Piper also maintained a fully staffed research and development center in Lakeland, including the "X" shop, which developed the Piper PA-48 Enforcer. The Airline Division provided aircraft for commuter airlines in the United States including Air New Orleans, Desert Sun in Long Beach, Shasta Air and Sun West Airlines, as well as internationally for Vickers for corporate transport use in the United Kingdom, Cameroon's Avia Services and to Piper's distributor in Colombia, Aero Leaver.[28] In 1984, Piper changed hands when parent company Bangor Punta was acquired by Lear Siegler.[29] Lear Siegler, in turn, was acquired by Forstmann Little in 1986.[30] Forstmann Little then sold Piper to M. Stuart Millar in 1987.[31]

Manufacture of light aircraft was impacted in the mid-1980s when increasing product liability insurance premiums made operation financially difficult for Piper Aircraft and other American manufacturers of light aircraft. In a bid to improve sales, Piper cut prices for its aircraft and the company became unprofitable. In 1991 the Lakeland, Florida factory was sold and closed and by July that year the workforce had shrunk to just 45; with only $1,000 in available cash remaining, Piper filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after a proposed takeover by competing French manufacturer Socata failed over the issue of product liability.[32][33] Production of the flagship Cheyenne 400 ended in February 1993 with only 43 being built since its inception a decade earlier.[34] In 1995, the company emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy and was renamed The New Piper Aircraft. As part of the end of bankruptcy protection, the company was sold to Newco Pac Inc., itself owned by Piper's creditors (including major creditor, aircraft engine manufacturer Teledyne Continental Motors) and a Philadelphia-based investment firm.[32][35]

2000s

In July 2003, American Capital Strategies, Ltd. bought 94% of Piper's voting equity.[citation needed]

In July 2006, a partnership with Honda was announced to market the new HA-420 HondaJet.[36] The following month, the firm dropped the "New" from its name, reverting to Piper Aircraft.

In response to the late 2000s recession, the company announced in November 2008 that it was reducing its work-week to save money while avoiding lay-offs. Piper is party to an agreement with the state of Florida that will see the company benefit from US$32 million in incentives in exchange for increasing its work force to 1400 people and building the PiperJet in the state.[37]

In December 2008, the company announced it will defer the US$10 million incentive that would have required it to hire 400 new workers by 2012 for the PiperJet project and retain 1,417 employees through 2015. The company stated the move was precautionary. Piper spokesman Mark Miller said: "While this year has been a good one for Piper, we have taken measures to keep the company healthy and to weather any future adversity."[38]

In February 2009, the company announced it was laying off an additional 300 workers without notice immediately and the 650 remaining workers would be given unpaid weeks off in April and July to reduce unsold inventory. Piper spokesman Mark Miller stated company regretted the pain caused by the layoffs and indicated the employees would be rehired when the economy improves. He also said: "Even the willing buyers that we have find it incredibly difficult to get financing...We can't keep a full workforce on at this point when people aren't buying planes...If market conditions continue to deteriorate, it may be necessary for the company to take additional actions". On 24 February 2009, the company announced it would add two more weeks of unpaid furlough for its employees in May and June, bringing the total to four weeks in 2009, citing a need to reduce inventory and cut expenses. In June 2010, the company announced it would shut down for a further week in August to save money. The lay-off affected all workers except those on the PiperJet program and some critical company business functions.[39][40][41][42]

On 1 May 2009, American Capital Strategies sold the company to Singapore-based investment strategy company Imprimis, making a profit of US$31 million on the sale. Imprimis is funded by the Government of Brunei and has offices in Bangkok, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam.[43][44][45]

In June 2009, James Bass, CEO of Piper Aircraft since 2005, announced he would step down effective that same month. He was succeeded by VP of operations Kevin Gould. During his four years at Piper, Bass oversaw development of the PiperJet, the Meridian G1000 and the Matrix, and negotiated a new business partnership with Honda. He also negotiated $32 million in incentives from the state and county that retained Piper's factory in Vero Beach, Florida.[46]

On 2 November 2009, another Piper executive resigned. Company president John Becker announced his resignation effective 1 December 2009 "to pursue other career opportunities". Becker was replaced as president by CEO Kevin Gould.[47][48]

2010s

On 4 January 2010, the company announced Boeing subsidiary Aviall would act as Piper's sole global parts distributor.[2]

In July 2010, CEO Kevin Gould resigned for unspecified reasons, having served just over a year in the post. Gould was replaced on an interim basis by Geoffrey Berger, managing director of Imprimus in Brunei, on behalf of the government of Brunei. Also in July 2010, longtime Piper media spokesman Mark Miller left the company.[49]

In September 2010, Piper announced the lay-off of an additional 60 production workers. Piper's interim CEO Geoffrey Berger stated: "Piper remains challenged by overall market weakness". The company hired 140 workers for the PiperJet program in 2009–10.[50]

Piper started renovation of a 75,000 sq ft (7,000 m2) factory in Vero Beach in October 2010, with a completion goal of 2011. The facility was intended to be used to build the PiperJet.[51]

On 17 October 2011, the company announced Simon Caldecott had replaced Geoff Berger as interim CEO. At the same time, Executive Vice President Randy Groom also resigned from the company and it was announced that the Piper Altaire program was "under review".[52] Only one week later, on 24 October 2011, Piper Aircraft announced it had “indefinitely suspended” all work on the Altaire project and would be laying off 150 of its 850 employees, plus 55 contract workers, due to the program’s cancellation.[53]

In December 2011, Piper announced it was attempting to renegotiate the 2008 deal it had made with the state of Florida and Indian River County for incentives. The company did not meet its contractual requirements to employ 1,100 people by the end of 2009; instead, employment fell to 600, and as a result, the company owed US$1.5 million. Piper is looking for forgiveness of the debt.[54] Also in December, Piper came under the direct ownership of the government of Brunei.[55]

In July 2015 the company announced it was laying-off 15-20% of its workers, about 150 people, as sales were faltering amongst world markets, especially Asia, Latin America and Europe.[56]

Aircraft

PA-34 Seneca

Piper's J-3 Cub, a single-engine, high-wing, two-seater, was the first inexpensive training aircraft produced in large numbers. Many former military examples were sold to civilian owners over the 1950-1995 period and seem certain to see many more years in recreational use.

The PA-28 Cherokee has been one of the company's most successful products. Both this design and the twin-engined PA-34 Seneca are used for pilot training around the world. The PA-23 Apache was one of the first aircraft associated with the term "air taxi", although it was superseded in that role by faster and more spacious designs from competitors Beechcraft and Cessna.

Beginning production in 1965, the PA-32 series provided six- or seven-seat, single-engine designs based on the smaller Cherokee. Variously named Cherokee Six, Lance, and Saratoga, these were available as both fixed- and retractable-gear models and also with normally aspirated, fuel-injected, and turbocharged engines. The PA-32s proved popular with private owners, air taxi, and freight companies. Production of the Saratoga-II HPs and Saratoga TCs ended in 2009.[57]

On 21 January 2010 the company announced it had licenced the CZAW SportCruiser and intended to market it as the PiperSport. Piper CEO Kevin Gould said, "The PiperSport is an amazing entry-level aircraft that will bring new customers into Piper and lead the way for those customers to step up into more sophisticated and higher performance aircraft within our line over time."[58] In January 2011, the licensing agreement with Piper was abruptly ended with Piper CEO Geoffrey Berger saying "the company has a different business perspective and approach to the market than Czech Sport Aircraft".[59][60]

List of Piper aircraft

Summary of aircraft built by Piper Aircraft
Model name First flight Number built Type
J-2 Cub 1936 1207 Single-engined high-wing cabin monoplane
J-3 Cub 1938 19,888 Single-engined high-wing cabin monoplane
J-4 Cub Coupe 1939 1251 Single-engined high-wing cabin monoplane
J-5 Cub Cruiser 1940 1507 Single-engined high-wing cabin monoplane
P-1 Applegate Duck 1940 1 Amphibian
P-2 Cub 1941 1 Single-engined high-wing cabin monoplane
P-3 1939 1 Single-engined high-wing cabin monoplane, also known as J-4RX
P-4 Cub 1941 1 Single-engined high-wing cabin monoplane
P-5 1944 1 Single-engined high-wing cabin monoplane, also known as J-3X
PT-1 Trainer 1942 1 Two-seats in tandem, low-wing monoplane
PWA-1 Skycoupe 1943 1 Two-seat low wing twin-boom monoplane, later became PA-7
PWA-8 Cub Cycle 1944 1 Single-seat, mid-wing single-engine monoplane
LBP 1945 35 Single-seat, optionally-piloted glider bomb
PA-6 Sky Sedan 1945 2 Four-seat, low-wing retractable gear monoplane
PA-7 Skycoupe 1944 1 Two-seat low wing twin-boom monoplane, was PWA-1,
PA-8 Skycycle 1945 2 Single-seat, mid-wing single-engine monoplane
PA-9 None Single-engined high-wing observation and liaison design
PA-10 None Single-engined low-wing side-by-side two-seater design
PA-11 Cub Special 1947 1541 Single-engined high-wing cabin monoplane
PA-12 Super Cruiser 1946 3760 Single-engined high-wing cabin monoplane
PA-13 - - Designation not used
PA-14 Family Cruiser 1948 238 Single-engined high-wing cabin monoplane
PA-15 Vagabond 1948 387 Side-by-side two-seat high-wing monoplane
PA-16 Clipper 1949 736 Four-seat version of the PA-15
PA-17 Vagabond 1948 214 Dual-control variant of the PA-15
PA-18 Super Cub 1950 10,222 Single-engined high-wing cabin monoplane
PA-19 Super Cub 1949 3 Initial designation for military version of the PA-18,
reverted to PA-18 designation after three built
PA-20 Pacer 1950 1120 Re-designed PA-16
PA-21 None Proposed production version of the Baumann Brigadier
PA-22 Tri-Pacer 1951 9490 Updated version of the PA-20 with nose wheel
PA-23 Apache 1954 2047 Twin-engined low-wing cabin monoplane
PA-24 Comanche 1958 4717 Single-engine four-seat low-wing cabin monoplane
PA-24-400 Comanche 1964 148 Re-engined PA-24 development
PA-25 Pawnee 1959 5167 Single-engined agricultural monoplane
PA-26 None Proposed higher-power version of the PA-24
PA-27 Aztec 1960 4929 Improved version of the PA-23, kept PA-23 designation
PA-28 Cherokee 1961 10,896 Single-engined low-wing cabin monoplane
PA-28-140 Cherokee 1964 10,089 Two-seat training variant
PA-28 Warrior 1974 4842 Improved PA-28
PA-28-235 Cherokee/Dakota 1964 2913 Higher-power PA-28
PA-28R Arrow 1967 6694 Retractable landing gear variant of the PA-28
PA-28R-300 Pillán 1982 2,
plus kits for final assembly in Chile and Spain 		Two-seat military trainer designed for ENAER of Chile
PA-29 Papoose 1962 1 Small trainer of fiberglass construction
PA-30 Twin Comanche 1963 2001 Four-seat twin-engined low wing cabin monoplane
PA-31 Navajo 1967 1785 Eight-seat twin-engined low wing cabin monoplane
PA-31-350 Chieftain 1973 1825 Stretched Navajo
PA-31P Pressurized Navajo 1970 309 Pressurized version of Navajo with more powerful engines
PA-31P-350 Mojave 1983 ~50[61] Lower-power successor to Pressurized Navajo,
piston-engine Cheyenne/Chieftain hybrid
PA-31T Cheyenne 1974 847 Turboprop powered derivative of Pressurized Navajo
PA-32 Cherokee Six 1966 4373 Six-seat Cherokee derivative with wider cabin
PA-32R Lance/Saratoga 1976 2721 Retractable landing gear variant of the PA-32
PA-33 Comanche 1966 1 Pressurized Comanche
PA-34 Seneca 1972 5000+ Twin-engine derivative of PA-32R
PA-35 Pocono 1968 1 Twin-engined pressurized commuter airliner
PA-36 Pawnee Brave 1973 938 Single-engined agricultural monoplane
PA-37 None Proposed twin-engined PA-33
PA-38 Tomahawk 1978 2519 Two-seat basic trainer
PA-39 Twin Comanche C/R 1970 155 Improved PA-30 with counter-rotating propellers
PA-40 Arapaho 1973 3 built,
5 not completed 		PA-39 replacement
PA-41P 1974 1 Pressurized Aztec
Piper PA-42 Cheyenne 1980 175 T-tail derivative of PA-31T Cheyenne
PA-43 None Proposed piston-engined PA-42
PA-44 Seminole 1979 469 Twin-engined derivative of PA-28R
PA-45 None Proposed six-seat T-tailed aircraft family
PA-46 Malibu 1984 344 Six-seat pressurized single
PA-47 Piperjet 2008 1 seating for 6 or 7 based on configuration
PA-48 Enforcer 1971 4 Single-seat counter-insurgency aircraft based on the Cavalier Mustang/North American P-51 Mustang
PA-60 Aerostar 1967 1010 Six-seat pressurized twin,
Piper purchased the design from Ted R. Smith
PiperSport 2010 40 Two-seat light-sport aircraft marketed by Piper between January 2010 and January 2011.
It was produced by Czech Sport Aircraft and previously known as the SportCruiser
Piper M350 2015 0 Six-seat pressurized piston single
Piper M500 2015 0 Six-seat pressurized turboprop single
Piper M600 2015 0 Six-seat pressurized turboprop single

See also

References

  1. ^ Pattillo (1998), p.83
  2. ^ a b Grady, Mary (January 2010). "Piper Selects Aviall For Worldwide Parts Network". Retrieved 2010-01-07.
  3. ^ a b c Pattillo (1998), p. 18
  4. ^ a b Pattillo (1998), p. 19
  5. ^ Mondey (ed), (1978), p. 254
  6. ^ Trimble (1982), p. 218
  7. ^ Gilbert (1965), p. 34
  8. ^ a b c Brady (2000), p. 244
  9. ^ Pattillo (1998), p. 50
  10. ^ a b c d Trimble (1982), p. 243
  11. ^ Alton K Marsh (May 2014). "Aerial Taxicabs". AOPA Pilot: 45.
  12. ^ a b c Trimble (1982), p. 244
  13. ^ "A New Agricultural Piper", Flight magazine, 19 December 1958, p. 934 (online archive version) retrieved 12 August 2012
  14. ^ Flight, 13 November 1959, p. 552 retrieved 13 August 2012
  15. ^ a b Pattillo (1998), p. 84
  16. ^ "Sport and Business", Flight magazine, 16 December 1960, p. 954 (online archive version) retrieved 13 August 2012
  17. ^ Trimble (1982), p. 261
  18. ^ "Piper PA-31 Navajo", Frawley (1997), p.162
  19. ^ "Piper's New Medium Twin", Flight International magazine, 24 December 1964, p. 1065 (online archive version) retrieved 23 August 2012
  20. ^ Justia (December 1977). "Piper V. Chris-Craft Industries, Inc., 430 U. S. 1 (1977)". Retrieved 7 April 2010.
  21. ^ Air Progress: 16. November 1971. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  22. ^ "Piper Lockhaven (sic) plant flooded", Flight International magazine, 6 July 1972, p. 3 (online archive version) retrieved 10 August 2012
  23. ^ "Piper damage estimate increased", Flight International magazine, 27 July 1972, p. 118 (online archive version) retrieved 10 August 2012
  24. ^ Flight International magazine, 20 July 1972, p. 81 (online archive version) retrieved 10 August 2012
  25. ^ "Piper announces Navajo Chieftain", Flight International magazine, 14 September 1972, p. 360 (online archive version) retrieved 10 August 2012
  26. ^ Hayduck Memorandum, p. 2
  27. ^ Peperell 1987, p. 110
  28. ^ a b "Piper consolidates at Lakeland". Flight International. April 1983. ISSN 0015-3710. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  29. ^ Bangor Punta (2010). "Bangor Punta Timeline - 1980s". Retrieved 7 April 2010.
  30. ^ FundingUniverse (2004). "Lear Corporation". Retrieved 7 April 2010.
  31. ^ Weiner, Eric (March 1990). "Piper Aircraft's Rescuer Falters". The New York Times. Retrieved 7 April 2010.
  32. ^ a b Lopez, Ramon. "Piper sings a new tune: Piper's emergence from Chapter II heralds a rebirth of general aviation", Flight International magazine, 23–29 August 1995, p. 26 (online archive version) retrieved 12 August 2012
  33. ^ "Piper rescue package fails", Flight International magazine, 27 March - 2 April, 1991, p. 5 (online archive version) retrieved 12 August 2012
  34. ^ "Aircraft data: Piper PA-42 Cheyenne III/400". Airliners.net. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  35. ^ Jane's Information Group (2009). "Piper - Piper Aircraft Inc (United States), Contractors". Retrieved 7 April 2010.
  36. ^ Micheline Maynard (July 25, 2006). "Honda Enters the Aviation Market". The New York Times. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
  37. ^ Pew, Glann (November 2008). "Eclipse Promises Paychecks By Tuesday". Retrieved 2008-11-15.
  38. ^ Pew, Glenn (December 2008). "Piper, Mooney See Cutbacks". Retrieved 2008-12-29.
  39. ^ Grady, Mary (February 2009). "Piper Cuts Another 300 Jobs". Retrieved 2009-02-12.
  40. ^ Samples, Eve (February 2009). "Piper Aircraft lays off Vero Beach 300 workers, plans to close for 2 weeks". Retrieved 2009-02-12.
  41. ^ Grady, Mary (February 2009). "Piper Adds Two More Weeks Of Shutdown". Retrieved 2009-02-26.
  42. ^ Grady, Mary (June 2010). "Piper To Shut For A Week". Retrieved 1 July 2010.
  43. ^ Pew, Glenn (May 2009). "Piper Has Been Sold". Retrieved 2009-05-04.
  44. ^ American Capital Strategies, Ltd. (May 2009). "American Capital Realizes $31 Million Gain From Sale of Piper Aircraft". Retrieved 2009-05-07.
  45. ^ Sobie, Brendan (July 2009). "New owner brightens outlook for Piper". Retrieved 2009-07-27.
  46. ^ Grady, Mary (June 2009). "Bass To Step Down As Piper CEO". Retrieved 2009-06-11.
  47. ^ Vanderhoof, Nadia (November 2009). "Piper President John Becker is resigning". Retrieved 2009-11-02.
  48. ^ Niles, Russ (November 2009). "Piper Names New President, VPs". Retrieved 2009-11-06.
  49. ^ Niles, Russ (July 2010). "Gould Out As Piper CEO". Retrieved 22 July 2010.
  50. ^ Grady, Mary (September 2010). "More Jobs Lost, At Piper And Hawker Beechcraft". AvWeb. Retrieved 11 October 2010.
  51. ^ Niles, Russ (October 2010). "Work Starts On PiperJet Factory". AvWeb. Retrieved 14 October 2010.
  52. ^ Grady, Mary (October 2011). "Another New CEO At Piper". AVweb. Retrieved 20 October 2011.
  53. ^ Trautvetter, Chad (October 2011). "Piperjet Altaire Program Suspended 'Indefinitely'". AINonline. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  54. ^ Pew, Glenn (8 December 2011). "Piper Seeks Forgiveness". AVweb. Retrieved 9 December 2011.
  55. ^ "Piper Aircraft now directly owned by Sultan of Brunei". VeroNews. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
  56. ^ "Piper To Lay Off Up To 150 Workers". AVweb. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
  57. ^ Piper Aircraft (2009). "Discontinued Aircraft". Retrieved 2009-06-03.
  58. ^ Niles, Russ (January 2010). "Piper Unveils PiperSport LSA". Retrieved 2010-01-21.
  59. ^ Niles, Russ (January 2011). "Piper Terminates PiperSport Relationship". AvWeb. Retrieved 13 January 2011.
  60. ^ Piper Aircraft (January 2011). "Piper to Terminate PiperSport Distibutor Business Relationship". Retrieved 12 January 2011.
  61. ^ "Piper PA-31 Mojave & Chieftain", Frawley (1997), p.162

Sources

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  • Frawley, Gerard (1997). The International Directory of Civil Aircraft , 1997/98. Fyshwick, ACT: Aerospace Publications. ISBN 1 875671 26 9.
  • Gilbert, James (September 1965). "Mr. Piper's Cub". Flying. 77 (3). Ziff-Davis Publishing Company: 30–35.
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  • Lambert, Mark and Pugh, Alastair. "The Pied Pipers: In the Air with the Colourful Comanche, Tri-Pacer and Super Cub", Flight (Iliffe and Sons), Vol. 76, No. 2644, 13 November 1959, pp. 550–552
  • Mondey, David, ed. (1978). The Complete Illustrated Encyclopaedia of the World's Aircraft. London: New Burlington Books. ISBN 0 906286 39 5.
  • Pattillo, Donald M. (1998). A History in the Making: 80 Turbulent Years in the American General Aviation Industry. New York: McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-07-049448-7.
  • Piper Aircraft and their forerunners, R. W. Peperell & Colin M. Smith, Air-Britain, Tonbridge Kent, 1987, ISBN 0-85130-149-5
  • The New Piper Aircraft: Soaring High
  • Phillips, Edward H. (1993). Piper - A Legend Aloft. Flying Books International. ISBN 0-911139-14-1.
  • Trimble, William F. (1982). High Frontier: A History of Aeronautics in Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: University of Pittsburgh Press. ISBN 0822953404.
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