Piper Aircraft has reached a 10-year agreement with Pratt & Whitney Canada for the continuing purchase of PT6A-42A turboprop engines to power the six-seat, single-engined M-Class Meridian, which is set to make its 500th delivery milestone later this year.

The deal comes as Piper reports an increase in revenues and new aircraft deliveries during the first half of 2012, "thanks to a growing and stronger" network of international dealerships, it says.

The US airframer delivered 76 piston and turboprop aircraft from January to June - a 28% rise on the same period last year. Revenues climbed by more than 20% to more than $69 million. In the second quarter alone Piper delivered 39 new aircraft, compared with 33 between April and June 2011. Revenues climbed by 20% during the timeframe, to more than $37.4 million.

"Company delivery and financial performance measures are continuing an upward trend," says Piper president Simon Caldecott. "Piper is simultaneously achieving better sales in the USA and internationally, thanks to a growing and stronger system of Piper dealers."

Source: Flight International