Piper Aircraft is expanding its 30-acre manufacturing campus with the addition of a new service centre at its Vero Beach, Florida headquarters.

The new facility will serve as a factory supported independent service provider for the Piper general aviation community across the Eastern US, the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America. The two-storey structure will feature at least 33,000 sq ft of indoor space dedicated to maintenance activities, new and preowned aircraft deliveries, customer lounges and administrative offices, alongside 11,000 sq ft of outdoor service area. In total, the centre will comprise seven indoor aircraft bays and four outdoor bays.

Groundbreaking will occur later this year with the facility opening in Q4 2027, coinciding with Piper's celebration of 90 years of aviation history. The expansion is projected to generate at least 20 new positions, including technicians, A&P mechanics and essential support staff. This growth further cements Piper Aircraft's position as the largest private employer in Indian River County.

“As we approach 90 years of aviation history, this expansion reflects our unwavering commitment to our customers and our home in Vero Beach,” says John Calcagno, president and CEO of Piper Aircraft. “Vero Beach is an excellent location for a state-of-the-art general aviation service centre because it sits on a high-quality regional airport with heavy-jet capability and a strong existing aviation infrastructure, allowing us to provide top-tier service while avoiding the congestion and costs of South Florida's major hubs.”

“The construction of the Piper service centre is a strategic move to support our rapidly growing aircraft M-Class fleet,” adds Ron Gunnarson, vice president of sales, marketing, customer support and quality. “Not only will this facility elevate the ownership experience for our regional customers, but the full spectrum of specialised, dedicated factory maintenance services will be unprecedented from routine annual inspections to heavy maintenance and one-off factory backed repairs.”