VERO BEACH, Fla., April 16, 2009 — Piper Aircraft today announced that it has certified and will offer as optional equipment the all-glass, fully-integrated Garmin G1000 avionics suite for the Piper Meridian, the company’s flagship, six-seat cabin-class turboprop. Initial deliveries of Piper Meridian aircraft with G1000 avionics will begin this week.
“We are dedicated to providing our customers with the very best technology our industry has to offer,” said Piper President & CEO James K. Bass. “Now, with the G1000 available for the Meridian, we are giving this amazing aircraft an avionics suite that enables it to meet its full potential.”
“We are very pleased the Piper team has selected the G1000 for the Meridian,” said Gary Kelley, Garmin’s Vice President of Marketing. “Meridian pilots will enjoy flying with the G1000 because it simplifies everything by making flight information easy to scan and process. This simplicity results in increased situational awareness and safer skies.”
The G1000 puts a wealth of data at the pilot’s fingertips with its glass flightdeck presenting flight instrumentation, navigation, communications, weather, terrain, traffic and engine data digitally on three large-format, high-resolution displays. The 15-inch MFD (multi-function display) is flanked by two 10.4-inch PFDs (primary flight displays). Behind the large, sunlight readable glass displays is a lightweight, modular design equipment rack that makes the system easy to install and maintain. Moreover, the system provides a safety-critical level of redundancy second to none.
Garmin’s Synthetic Vision Technology (SVT™) will also be offered as standard on the Piper Meridian when equipped with the G1000 option. SVT presents a 3D depiction of terrain, obstacles and traffic on the PFD so that the image replicates what pilots would see outside the cockpit on a clear day. SVT includes helpful features like a flight path marker (displays projected path of the aircraft), Pathways (Garmin’s implementation of highway-in-the-sky), and unique runway highlighting and airport signs.
“The G1000 gives the Meridian a new brain, taking the Meridian to a whole new level of performance,” said Bob Kromer, Piper Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “With this new sophisticated avionics suite, the Meridian takes on the feel and capabilities of a larger, business-class aircraft. Pilots will now be able to tap into performance parameters previously unavailable on the Meridian.”
The Piper Meridian’s G1000 avionics include, but are not limited to, features that increase safety of flight and enhance situational awareness:
• GFC 700 three-axis, fully digital, dual channel, fail passive automatic flight control system with autopilot mode controller
• Dual integrated radio modules that provide WAAS certified IFR oceanic-approved GPS; VHF navigation with ILS; and VHF communication with 16-watt transceivers and 8.33-kHz channel spacing
• Dual solid-state Attitude and Heading Reference System that can align while in motion, including in-flight dynamic restarts
• Dual digital air-data computers
• Mode S transponder with Traffic Information Service
• Dual digital audio control system
• GWX 68 weather radar
• Alpha-numeric keypad that allows pilots to perform virtually all MFD functions
• Full reversionary capabilities, allowing all flight-critical data to transfer seamlessly to a single display for added safety during flight
• Optional Class-B Terrain Awareness and Warning System (TAWS) with worldwide terrain and obstacle database
• Optional GDL 69A™ satellite weather datalink and digital-quality audio via XM WX Satellite Weather™ (Service available in U.S. and select areas in Canada with a XM subscription)
Also available as standard are Garmin’s SafeTaxi™ and FliteCharts™. SafeTaxi™ is a built-in database of over 850 U.S. airport diagrams that provide the capability to view aircraft position on taxiways. FliteCharts™ is an electronic version of the Departure Procedures, Standard Terminal Arrival Routes, approach charts and airport diagrams, and may be viewed directly on the MFD. Garmin ChartView™ is available as an option and it helps simplify operations, enhances situational awareness and increases safety during flight. With ChartView™, the aircraft’s position is overlaid on an electronic version of Jeppesen’s charts and airport diagrams.
The Meridian currently features Avidyne’s advanced glass avionics suite, the FlightMax Entegra Integrated Flight Deck, as standard equipment, as do the Malibu Mirage, Matrix, Seneca V, the Saratoga II TC and Piper 6X. All other Piper models offer the Avidyne system as optional equipment.
“People have asked us over the years whether we would add the G1000 to our aircraft,” said Bass, “and we have had to remain tight-lipped as we worked on integration. But from the beginning, our commitment has been to provide our customers with choices. As we introduce Garmin’s G1000, more choices are now available to our customers.”
About Piper Aircraft, Inc.
Piper Aircraft, Inc. is headquartered in Vero Beach, Fla. Piper’s rich legacy is born of 72 years of unparalleled history, with almost 150,000 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. For more information about Piper Aircraft and to find an authorized service center near you, please visit www.piper.com.
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For further information about Piper Aircraft, contact:
Mark S. Miller
Chief Corporate Spokesperson
(772) 299-2900
Fax: (772) 978-6597
mark.miller@piper.com
For additional information or questions about
the general aviation industry, contact the
General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA)
(202) 393-1500
www.gama.aero