Piper Aircraft is debuting its M600 at EBACE and announced today that its flagship single-engined turboprop has secured long-awaited European certification.
The approval will enable the US airframer to begin deliveries of the six-type to local owners, with the first aircraft earmarked for handover to a Czech Republic-based customer in the third quarter.
Following EU approval in March allowing commercial air transport operations with single-engined turbine aircraft at night and in instrument meteorological conditions (SE-IMC), Piper can also now promote the M600 for the first time to the region’s charter operators.
Speaking at the show this morning, Piper president and chief executive Simon Caldecott called EASA approval “a key milestone” for the M600.
“The aircraft has garnered substantial interest due to the its range, payload and safety features and outstanding operating economics,” he says. “With the recent approval of SE-IMC, the aircraft is ideally positioned to take advantage of this expanded opportunity.”
M600 validation has come about mid-way through a three-month European tour, in which the Pratt & Whitney PT6A-42A-powered aircraft has performed 55 demonstration flights for customers in six cities, Piper says.
The M600 entered service in June 2016 following a 15-month certification campaign, and more than 30 aircraft have been delivered to date.
The $3 million aircraft is a development of Piper’s M500 entry-level turboprop, featuring a redesigned wing, a Garmin G3000 flightdeck, digital fuel-management technology and a restyled interior.
The M600 has a range of 1,480nm (2,740km) and a cruise speed of 270kt.
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Source: Flight International
