Oshkosh: Piper's new Altaire jet to begin assembly within weeks

“The Altaire is pioneering the single-engine business jet, just like the Piper Meridian and other single-engine turboprops have proven in rigorous worldwide use that the fundamental efficiencies and safety of centerline thrust aircraft deliver the greatest value to owners and operators,” said Piper president and chief executive Geoffrey Berger.
Piper has assigned nearly 200 engineers and production staff to deliver on the promise of an entry-level business jet with the economics of a turboprop and the cabin size and capabilities of a much larger business jet.
In addition to starting assembly of the first conforming flight test article, later this year Piper will begin fabrication and assembly of a structural test article, which will eventually be joined by three additional flying conforming test aircraft to become part of the certification program. Also part of the FAA certification program will be a bird strike canopy and a fuel cell/vibration test wing. Construction of all of these articles will be underway during 2012.
The company is in the midst of a $5.6 million program in building improvements to ready facilities at its Vero Beach, Florida. manufacturing and headquarters campus for necessary production, final assembly, completion and deliveries.
The Piper Altaire maximum range is targeted at 1,300 nautical miles with a maximum cruise speed planned at 360 knots. The airplane’s range is 1,200 nautical miles with a payload of 800 pounds. Price point for a typically equipped aircraft is $2.6 million.