Piper Aircraft, Inc.

VERO BEACH, Fla., October 31, 2007 – Piper Aircraft, Inc. reported today that the Federal Aviation Administration has awarded type certification (TC) to the Piper Matrix, a cabin-class, six-seat aircraft based on the world renowned Piper Malibu Mirage and operating with the economy and simplicity of an unpressurized aircraft.

The Matrix, which was unveiled at AOPA EXPO 2007 earlier this month, is the latest addition to Piper’s PA-46 family of aircraft. Delivering unsurpassed luxury in a niche currently unfilled in general aviation – cabin-class, high performance aircraft, with standard air-conditioning – the Piper Matrix is priced well below any comparable aircraft.

"The Piper Matrix was certified on schedule with terrific support from the FAA," said Piper President & CEO James K. Bass. "Moreover, since we introduced the Matrix, customers have responded enthusiastically. To date, we have pre-sold our first-year production and have more than 100 contracted orders for the Matrix."

In launching the Piper Matrix, Bass cited widespread consumer interest as the driving force behind bringing the Matrix to market.

"Many of our customers and prospective buyers told us that they wanted a simplified, unpressurized version of the Piper Mirage that provided the best in luxury, elegance and performance at a price that is hundreds of thousands of dollars below what has been available," he said. "The Piper Matrix fills those requirements, and it does it on the finest, most proven, airframe coupled with the most advanced technology available in General Aviation."

The Matrix is Piper’s next generation cabin-class aircraft, featuring the very latest in advanced glass avionics, the sophistication that comes with a retractable-gear aircraft, and the benefits of unpressurized simplicity at a best-in-class price of $757,000.

The Piper Matrix and its 350 horsepower piston engine deliver a maximum cruise speed of 213 knots and a full-fuel range (at long range cruise power) of 1,020 nautical miles. Carrying an 800-pound payload at 17,500 feet – close to the maximum altitude where oxygen cannula can be used – the Matrix achieves a maximum cruise speed of 200 knots and a range of more than 800 nautical miles. At a typical non-oxygen altitude of 12,000 feet, again carrying an 800-pound payload, the Matrix delivers a maximum cruise speed of 188 knots and a range of 800 nautical miles. At 17,500 feet and 12,000 feet, the Matrix could increase its range by approximately 190 nautical miles by reducing cabin payload by 120 pounds and filling the tanks with an extra 20 gallons of fuel.

Featuring the very latest in advanced glass avionics, the Matrix deploys with the Avidyne Entegra integrated flight deck as standard equipment. It is also the first aircraft to offer Avidyne’s new MLB700 Datalink Receiver for WSI InFlight® weather service and SIRIUS Satellite Radio as standard equipment. Moreover, those components are part of a rich set of standard Piper Matrix features that also includes Avidyne’s exclusive MultiLink™ two-way datalink service, EMax™ Electronic Engine Instrumentation System and CMax™ Jeppesen JeppView® electronic chart display. In addition, the TAS610 active traffic system and the TWX670 Tactical Weather Sensor are available as options.

Luxury is the hallmark of the Piper Matrix, from its air stair door with remarkable ramp appeal to its rich interior styling and amenities. Moreover, the Piper Matrix draws on Piper’s deep heritage and the legacy of the Piper Malibu family of aircraft, currently represented by the Piper Meridian and Piper Mirage – models that continue unchallenged in their respective segments.

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 the PiperJet.