Visitors to Paris '99 can get their first glimpse of the New Piper Aircraft's Malibu Meridian six-seat single turboprop.
A mock-up of the aircraft is making its European debut on Piper's stand in Hall 3.
Orders for the Meridian, which is on track for a mid-2000 certification, have now topped the 100 mark.
The aircraft began its flight test programme, using five prototypes, in August last year. Some 250h on 200 flights have so far been logged.
The Meridian is powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-42. With speeds of 300m/h (480k/h)at 30,000ft (9,000m) and a maximum cruise range of 1,000nm (1,600km), Piper pitches this aircraft as a light business aircraft that is equally affordable to the private pilot.
"You can buy two Meridians for the price of one of the existing competitors," says Larry Bardon, Piper's marketing and sales director.
Source: Flight Daily News
