PALM SPRINGS, Calif., AOPA Expo, November 9, 2006 – Robert A. Kromer, an experienced senior executive with more than 30 years of leadership roles in engineering and sales, is Piper Aircraft Inc.’s new Vice President of Sales. He will report to Piper President & CEO James K. Bass.

Kromer, 54, was selected after an extensive search to find a sales and marketing executive to expand the company’s business across all model lines as well as spearhead sales of the all-new PiperJet, slated to deliver in 2010. He comes to Piper from Sino-Swearingen Aircraft Corporation, where he served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing and was instrumental in revamping that company’s distribution network and advertising efforts. Prior to taking charge in that capacity, Kromer – a 5,000-hour pilot – was Sino-Swearingen’s Senior Manager of Flight Test and Flight Operations as well as an Engineering Test Pilot for the company.

"Bob Kromer brings a level of expertise that will help take Piper’s sales and marketing efforts to new levels," said Piper President & CEO James K. Bass. "His experience in aerospace and aviation will help us continue building and expanding the strong recovery orchestrated by the Piper team to date and prove invaluable as we move forward with the development and sale of the all-new PiperJet."

Kromer’s extensive experience also includes positions with other major aerospace and general aviation companies. He has served as Executive Vice President and General Manager of Mooney Aircraft Corporation, Executive Director of the Mooney Aircraft Pilots Association, Executive Vice President of the Aviation Division of Boyd/Kleypas and Associates Advertising Agency, and President of Aero Designs.

Kromer said he welcomes the opportunity to work with Piper’s strong distribution network and capable sales and marketing staff. "This is a particularly exciting time for Piper," he said. "I look forward to the challenges ahead and to providing our customers with the very best sales and service that the general aviation industry can provide."

Piper Aircraft, Inc. is headquartered in Vero Beach, Fla. Piper’s rich legacy is born of 70 years of unparalleled history, with more than 144,000 aircraft brought to market and more than 160 models certified. Approximately 90,000 of those aircraft are still flying and being serviced and supported on every continent by Piper’s 65 service centers, 40 dealers and 2,500 field personnel. Piper is the only general aviation manufacturer to build and offer aircraft for every general aviation mission, from trainers and high-performance aircraft for personal and business use, to turbine-powered business aircraft...and now, the PiperJet.

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