Press Release

Issued by Piper Aircraft.

July 23, 2018

Piper Aircraft, Inc. announced today that sales of Piper trainers in the second quarter of the year increased 126% when compared to the same period in 2017. Both its single and multi-engine trainers have solid order book backlogs into Q3 of 2019. The twin engine Piper Seminole led the increase with 150% growth in deliveries followed by both the Arrow and Archer, which showed a combined growth of 85%.

Piper Aircraft continues to fill its 2019 and beyond order book with new aircraft sales to Auburn University, Epic Flight Academy, as well as Utah Valley University. Additionally, existing customers like Aims Community College, ATP, and Central Washington have expanded their original orders to help support their growing pilot training programs. The increase in demand for Piper trainers can be directly attributed to the looming pilot shortage and the resulting demand for pilots.

"Flight training organizations are selecting the Piper brand not only because we are the only OEM to provide a full trainer product line up, but because of our demonstrated commitment to the trainer market. It is our desire to develop long term relationships with our customers that reach far beyond the sale of the aircraft," said Piper vice president of sales, marketing and customer support, Ron Gunnarson.

For 2018 Piper is on track to deliver more than 100 PA-28s, a combination of single engine Archers and single engine, complex trainer, Arrows. In addition to the success with Piper's PA-28 products, sales for the twin-engine Seminole will reach their highest level in more than 15 years.