Piper Aircraft President and CEO Kevin J. Gould handed over the keys to the very first PiperSport, light-sport aircraft to three veteran pilots here today.
"The PiperSport is an amazing entry-level aircraft that will bring new customers to Piper," Gould said. "It fits perfectly into our overall mission of delivering the very best airplanes. It will lead the way for customers to step up into more sophisticated and higher performance aircraft within our line over time."
The three co-owners -- all from Miami, Fla. -- are Charlie Carlon (ATP/CFI/CFII), 62, a 20,000+ hour, former Delta Airlines Pilot who works for Airbus North America teaching pilots how to fly the Airbus via simulation; Brian Garhammer (ATP/CFI/CFII), 52, a 16,000+ hour, former ATA pilot, who also works for Airbus North America teaching pilots how to fly the Airbus via simulation; and Dr. Mike Morduant, 62, a veterinarian and a pilot for 42 years.
"The PiperSport is sexy!" said Garhammer, who joined with his two friends to accept the keys to Piper's new LSA at a ceremony at Piper's Sun 'n Fun exhibit. "You can go out and buy a BMW or a PiperSport for about the same money. But who wants a sports car when you can fly the PiperSport?"
Morduant echoed Garhammer: "I liked it from the get-go – its all-metal, conventional construction, its useful load, its range and the fact that when my son and I sat in it, we weren't crushing elbows. When I flew it, I really loved it. I was so happy to see that Piper agreed with me (on what was needed in the LSA segment)."
The PiperSport, manufactured by Czech Sport Aircraft (CSA) and distributed through master distributor PiperSport Distribution, Inc., features a rate of climb of 1,200 feet per minute and is capable of reaching a maximum cruise speed of 138 miles per hour and an altitude of 10,000 feet. The aircraft has a gross weight of 1,320 pounds and 600 pounds of useful load. With the ability to run on automotive fuel, the PiperSport's 30-gallon fuel capacity gives the aircraft a range of 600 nautical miles and the ability to refuel virtually anywhere in the world that offers either 100LL or premium, unleaded automotive fuel.
There are three variants of the aircraft: The PiperSport, which sells for $119,900; the PiperSport LT (primarily a training model), which sells for $129,900; and the PiperSport LTD (professional model), which sells for $139,900. Each model features the latest in luxury – from leather seats to cutting-edge design – and is equipped with a 100-hp Rotax 912 engine and a BRS complete aircraft parachute recovery system. Each model also features the same gross weight, speed, fuel capacity, and range.
Charlie Carlon, the third partner with Garhammer and Morduant, flew the PiperSport after its debut at the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo at Sebring, FL earlier this year. "Both Brian and I are retired airline pilots and this aircraft gives us the chance to enjoy aviation in a different light than we've had over the last 25 years," Carlon says. "I've had a passion for aviation since I was a boy, and this airplane speaks to that passion. It's fun to fly!"
WICHITA, Kan. (April 19, 2010) – Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) and team members Lockheed Martin, L3 WESCAM and CMC Esterline are demonstrating the capabilities of the Beechcraft AT-6 Light Attack and Armed Reconnaissance (LAAR) aircraft to the U.S. Air Force (USAF) in scenarios that showcase its support for irregular warfare operations. From April 12-23, HBC is conducting flights from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., as part of the Air Force's Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment (JEFX). The JEFX objective is to take identified gaps in current combat capabilities and to demonstrate and assess possible innovations to fill those gaps. The involvement of the AT-6 in the exercise is sponsored by the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve Command Test Center.
"The JEFX evaluations provide an outstanding opportunity for the AT-6 to demonstrate its versatility and performance and we're confident it will do so in an impressive fashion," said Jim Maslowski, president, U.S. and International Government Business. "The HBC team continues to respond to military mission requirements. We're able to do so because we're working with a platform that is extremely versatile and with partners who share the vision and resourcefulness to create a system that meets diverse mission needs."
The AT-6 is a structurally strengthened derivative of the highly successful USAF and U.S. Navy (USN) T-6A/B trainer – the world's most proven military trainer aircraft. HBC flew the AT-6 in its present avionics configuration after only nine months by working with leading defense companies to integrate the aircraft with advanced technologies.
Borrowing heavily from technologies it recently integrated into the Air Force's A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft, Lockheed Martin integrated into the AT-6 a new mission computer controlled by A-10/F-16 based stick and throttle controls, an EO/IR sensor that serves as a targeting pod, data links to communicate with ground and airborne forces, anti-jam and secure communications radios, and full motion video transmission capability. The AT-6 also features fully integrated L3 WESCAM optical and infrared sensors, as well as sophisticated laser capabilities. The aircraft is equipped with the same CMC Esterline primary flight avionics and navigation system found in the USN T-6B
EADS North America announced today that it intends to submit a proposal on July 9, 2010 for the U.S. Air Force’s tanker modernisation programme and will offer the KC-45 — the most capable, American-built solution that is flown, proven and in production now.
EADS North America is progressing in discussions with potential U.S. partners to build a winning team in order to provide the most capable, best value solution to the Air Force.
The KC-45 is the only aircraft flying today that meets the U.S. Air Force’s tanker requirements as outlined in its KC-X Request for Proposal (RFP). The KC-45 builds on the EADS-based tanker that was previously selected in 2008 by the Department of Defense and that has won the last five consecutive tanker competitions worldwide.
“We will offer a modern, more capable tanker in response to the Defense Department’s decision to encourage competition for this major taxpayer investment,” said EADS North America Chairman Ralph D. Crosby, Jr. “Our KC-45 is the only real, flying, low-risk solution that today meets the demanding Air Force air refueling requirements and is actually in production now. That fact is critical because our warfighters deserve a true best value solution.”
EADS North America will build and modify the KC-45, along with A330 commercial freighters, at an EADS North America/Airbus production facility to be constructed in Mobile, Alabama. The KC-45 programme and aircraft production/modification center will create and support tens of thousands of high-value American jobs while making a long-term investment in the nation’s economy at a time when other aerospace companies are outsourcing production overseas.
“This tanker competition is all about the warfighter and the aircraft that most successfully meets their requirements. The KC-45 offers what the Air Force needs today: a modern military tanker that is in production now with deliveries beginning this year,” said Sean O’Keefe, EADS North America Chief Executive Officer. “Not only does the KC-45 offer the best value and a huge capability advantage over the competition, it also will support tens of thousands of jobs across America by expanding our nation’s industrial aerospace capacity.”
The KC-45 is the U.S. military version of the proven A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT). To date 28 aircraft have been ordered by four U.S. allies. The MRTT has transferred more than 265,000 lbs. of fuel to a range of military aircraft – from F-16 and F/A-18 fighters to the E-3 AWACS – using the same refueling systems offered on the KC-45.
“Our aircraft has demonstrated its unparalleled capability by refueling a variety of military aircraft utilizing both boom and hose and drogue systems, as well as by operating in the receiving position. That’s a statement our competition can’t make,” said Crosby.
The Royal Australian Air Force will receive the first A330 MRTTs later this year. Additional aircraft are in production or undergoing mission-equipment outfitting for the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
“We’re progressing forward in discussions to expand the ranks of our nearly 200 current U.S. suppliers, some of which are joining us for today’s announcement,” continued O’Keefe.
At the heart of the KC-45 is the most capable aerial refueling system operating today. The aircraft’s fly-by-wire Aerial Refueling Boom System (ARBS) has a demonstrated fuel offload rate of 1,200 U.S. gallons per minute – the only system which meets the U.S. Air Force’s requirements without further modification. The system’s proven all-electric fly-by-wire technology ensures enhanced controllability and safety that greatly aids the boom operator and receiver aircraft's pilot.
The KC-45 also carries an all-digital hose and drogue system for probe-equipped aircraft. The under-wing refueling pods are the most modern in service today, with the capability to deliver up to 420 gallons of fuel per minute through 90-ft.-long hoses at refueling speeds from 180 to 325 knots. The KC-45 will also feature a modern fuselage refueling unit, common with that of allied MRTT users such as the United Kingdom.
