PIPERJET DISTRIBUTION NETWORK WILL PROVIDE NEW LEVEL OF SALES AND SERVICE

ORLANDO, Fla., NBAA, October 17, 2006 – Piper Aircraft, Inc.’s innovative PiperJet will be sold through a newly established dealer distribution network geared to address the sales and service needs of its jet customers.

The new network is composed of five regional sales centers.  They are: PiperJet East, PiperJet Southeast, PiperJet Midwest, PiperJet Southwest and PiperJet Northwest.  In all, there are 14 offices operating nationwide to address the needs of PiperJet customers.

“From the beginning, we have focused on selecting just the right mix of sales and service attributes to anticipate and exceed the expectations of the new PiperJet customer,” said Molly Martin Pearce, Piper’s Director of Dealer Relations & Sales.  “In establishing this new distribution structure, we have relied on the strengths of the existing family of Piper dealers and honed their expertise into a jet distribution network that will provide a new level of ownership and operation experience in this class of aircraft.”

The PiperJet dealer distribution network – developed in collaboration with Honda Aircraft Company, Inc. – is the result of a business alliance announced by Piper and Honda in July 2006.  Piper and Honda formed the business alliance to collaborate on sales and service, and to explore opportunities in engineering and other areas within general and business aviation.   

The PiperJet’s clean-sheet sign incorporates single-engine turbofan power for optimum cost efficiency, state-of-the-art safety measures, and a strong, smooth all metal body.  It will be capable of reaching a cruising speed of 360 knots* and a maximum operating altitude of 35,000 feet*.  The six passenger PiperJet – with an option for either a seventh seat or enclosable lavatory – offers a mission-capable profile and sensuous luxury that sets the standard in its class, with a range of 1,300 nautical miles* and a full-fuel payload of 800 lbs.*

Piper Aircraft, Inc. is hequartered 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.  Today, 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 further information, contact:
Mark S. Miller
(772) 299-2900
Fax: (772) 978-6597
mail to: m.miller@newpiper.com
www.newpiper.com

For additional information or questions about
the general aviation industry, contact the
General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA)
(202) 393-1500
www.GAMA.aero


* See official performance guarantees as referenced in PiperJet Aircraft Purchase Agreement