Piper Tackles Recession With New Models

While a recession can’t last forever, Piper is being prudent and completely withdrawing from production of the Tomahawk 11, Arrow IV, Seminole and Turbo Seminole through 1983. Tomahawk production is expected to resume in 1984.

Malibu

The Piper Malibu embodies state-of-the-art technology and engineering, resulting in outstanding performance, luxurious style and comfort, and impressive economy.

This aircraft will be the world’s first cabin-class, pressurised, piston-powered single.

A 310-hp turbocharged Teledyne Continental TS10-520-BE engine powers the Malibu – now the fastest production piston single on the market – to a 75 per cent cruise power speed of 208 knots. Maximum speed is 221 knots.

An advanced, widebody fuselage cross-section provides the basis for an exceptionally roomy passenger cabin and cockpit. The Malibu’s comfort level is further enhanced by a 5. 5 psi pressurisation system that keeps the cabin at a comfortable 8000 feet while flying at 25,000 feet – well above most weather and traffic. And the Malibu can reach those higher altitudes quickly with its better than 1140-foot-per-minute rate of climb.

Neither range nor fuel economy take a back seat in the new Malibu, due largely to the plane’s advanced, high-aspect ratio, 43-foot wingspan. At 75 per cent cruise power, the range is more than 1340 nautical miles with a fuel burn of only 16 gallons per hour – nearly 80 nautical seat miles per gallon. At 65 per cent cruise power, the Malibu consumes a mere 13. 8 gallons per hour for a range capability of 1440 nautical miles.

The useful load for the new Malibu is an impressive 1592 pounds, providing plenty of flexibility for loading passengers, baggage and fuel. A 14 cubic-foot nose baggage area can easily accommodate large items such as golf clubs. When that’s combined with the Malibu’s spacious rear compartment, the baggage area totals 34 cubic feet.

Besides great performance, the Malibu offers exceptional comfort and style. Entry to the roomy passenger cabin is through a wide airstair door. Once inside, seats, appointments and accessories are strictly cabin-class. The Malibu’s widebody cabin, measuring four feet by four feet, has practically no taper, providing each passenger with an equal level of comfort. Contoured, reclining seats in conference-type arrangement, a fold-away teak writing table and plush interior fabrics provide finishing style touches.

The Piper Malibu has already flown over 500 test flight hours and has met or exceeded all design performance goals. FAA certification is expected in June 1983. Initial US deliveries will begin in August 1983.

Mojave

With the introduction of the Mojave Piper now offers a large, cabin-class, twin-engine, pressurised aircraft that is aimed as a competitor to the Beech Duke and Baron market.

The seven-seat Mojave, powered by two 350-hp Lycoming engines, flies at 234 knots at 75 per cent cruise power and is capable of a maximum speed of 242 knots. The turbocharged Lycomings, each intercooled, are direct-drive, counter-rotating engines.

Useful load on the Mojave is a substantial 2516 pounds including nearly 700 pounds of baggage-carrying capability in the nose, wing locker and aft cabin compartments. But takeoff performance is not compromised. At gross weight, the Mojave can clear a 50-foot obstacle with a 2800-foot takeoff run. The rate of climb is nearly 1500 feet per minute.

The Mojave provides excellent mission profile flexibility with a range of more than 1300 nautical miles. A 5. 0 psi pressurisation system provides a comfortable 9100-foot cabin at 25,000 feet. Contoured, reclining seats, individually controlled reading lights and fresh air vents, fold-away writing tables, and a hot/cold refreshment centre with room for light meals maximise passenger enjoyment. A wide instrument panel allows exceptional visibility and more than enough room for the latest in avionics.

Piper hasn’t overlook the economy when it designed the Mojave. With a fuel consumption rate of 34. 1 gallons per hour at 65 per cent power, an economical rate of 45 nautical seat miles per gallon is achieved.

FAA certification of the Mojave is expected to be completed by June 1983. Deliveries of the industry’s newest pressurised, piston-powered twin will promptly follow the certification

Aerostar 700P

With two turbocharged, 350-hp Lycoming intercooled engines providing the power, the Aerostar 700P becomes the world’s fastest production twin achieving a maximum speed of 274 knots. At 75 per cent cruise power, the 700P flies at 261 knots or virtually 300 miles per hour! In essence, the 700P is propjet performance with piston economy.

The maximum range is just under 1000 nautical miles. And with a 2135-pound useful load, which can accommodate six persons plus 240 pounds of baggage, range is still 700 nautical miles.

With a certificated ceiling of 25,000 feet, the 700P moves swiftly over weather and traffic. A 4. 25 psi pressurisation system maintains an 11,075-foot cabin at 25,000 feet. And the 70CfP reaches those weather-free, higher altitudes quickly, climbing at 1875 feet per minute.

Performance is not expensive in the Aerostar 700P, either. At 65 per cent economy cruise power (234 knots), fuel consumption is an economical 32 gallons per hour.

Initial deliveries of the 700P are set for July 1983, following FAA certification in April 1983.