Piper Aircraft has delivered the 500th M-Class Meridian single-engined turboprop to an unnamed Florida, USA-based owner.

The first of the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-42A-powered aircraft entered service 12 years ago. Since then, the six-seat aircraft has become "an enduring value proposition even during recent periods of economic uncertainty around the world", says Piper president Simon Caldecott. "Single-engine Piper turboprops are growing in popularity [amongst private owners and commercial operators] as replacements for less economical twin-engine jets and turboprops," he adds.

Source: Flight International