Piper News

Piper Aircraft, Inc. announced recently the expansion of its brand ambassador program to include Minnesota State University at Mankato (MNSU). Piper Brand Ambassadors leverage their social media channels to promote their individual pilot training journey and act as advocates for the aviation industry. The program is designed to increase awareness of the aviation degree paths offered by Minnesota State University as well as showcase the Piper training product line in use at a collegiate flight school. The collaborative initiative is expected to create a community of like-minded aviation enthusiasts with a career interest in aviation.

Together, Piper and the team at Minnesota State University recruited and selected the new ambassador. The selection was based on the individual’s enthusiasm, versatility and passion. Minnesota State University freshman, Elle Taylor, will be the first Ambassador from the school and will join a team of five ambassadors from other collegiate flight programs throughout the United States. She will have the opportunity to share her personal training journey story using social media channels like Instagram as well as speak about the aerospace program and campus life experience. Most importantly, she will be able to provide a glimpse into the exciting life of a pilot in training and will help inspire future aviators. “Elle is currently training to obtain her Private Pilot’s license and is pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Aviation in Professional Flight. She is very involved at Minnesota State University and currently serves as the event coordinator for her residence hall and is a member of the Aviation Learning Community organization at MNSU,” said Jackie Carlon, Senior Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications. “Elle’s outgoing personality and passion for aviation make her the ideal Brand Ambassador for Piper Aircraft and MNSU. We look forward to following her aviation journey.”

Earlier this month Piper said it resumed tours. Piper Aircraft announced that factory tours have resumed at their Vero Beach, FL headquarters. Tours have been postponed since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but now Piper is excited to once again welcome the local community back for an in-depth look at their production line.

Piper Aircraft currently manufactures nine different aircraft models, including the flagship M600/SLS, turboprop M500, pressurized piston M350, multi engine Seminole, venerable Archer family (TX, LX, DX, DLX), and value trainer Pilot 100i. Each of these models are engineered, manufactured, and certified at Piper’s Vero Beach headquarters, where Piper has built aircraft since the late 1950s. "It’s rare for a production facility like ours to open their doors to the public, but as one of the largest employers in Indian River County, we believe it’s important for our community to see what we do here each day," said Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Customer Support Ron Gunnarson. "With over 85 years of stellar manufacturing experience, we hope our community will take the opportunity to see what we offer not only locally, but to the aviation industry at large."

Piper Aircraft is proud to announce the delivery of Skyborne Airline Academy’s first Pilot 100i. Skyborne recently signed a multiyear fleet agreement for eleven (11) new Pilot 100i aircraft, building upon their existing all-Piper fleet at their Vero Beach, Florida campus. The Pilot 100i has successfully made its mark in the flight training space since production began over three years ago and is popular amongst flight schools of all sizes. With a full Garmin suite of avionics, including the GFC 500 digital autopilot, GNX 375 transponder, G5 standby display, and G3X touch screen PFD/MEFD, the Pilot 100i is a technically advanced platform that optimizes the venerable PA-28-181 for the flight school market.

"Piper Aircraft is proud to partner with Skyborne, our neighbors just down the taxiway from Piper headquarters," said Ron Gunnarson, Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Customer Support. "Skyborne has an impressive history of training professional and competent pilots using Piper fleet products, and now with the addition of the Pilot 100i, we look forward to continuing to support that legacy."