Aero-TV Exclusive First Look: Piper Goes LSA - Introduces PiperSport

New PiperSport Is An "LSA Cherokee"

Finally, we can spill the beans... known for a number of weeks here at ANN HQ, we're pleased to finally be able to tell you that mighty Piper, the company that first energized GA with the (truly) legendary Piper Cub, is ready to do it again with their new PiperSport. We've been a fan of the chosen airframe for a while and during some really nice (but TOP SECRET) evening air-to-air sessions last week, the PiperSport showed its stuff nicely in a very tight formation photo shoot with our modified Cirrus SR22 (we have a one-of-a-kind Cirrus-designed window hatch mod for both our back windows). It was tough to keep the secret, but the threat of being thrown into Kevin Gould's secret torture chamber (where we would have been forced to look at ugly non-Piper airplanes for hour upon excruciating hour) was enough to keep us quiet -- at least for a few days.
The PiperSport boogies toward Valhalla at 1200 feet per minute and has a max cruise speed of 138 miles per hour -- with a max operating altitude of 10,000 feet. With a gross weight of 1,320 pounds and 600 pounds of useful load, the PiperSport also boasts serious utility. And better yet, with the ability to sip sedately 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 (and no fair landing at those long ramps near truck stops to buy the cheaper 100LL... not that anyone here at ANN has done such a thing... at least, recently).

The PiperSport will be available within a few weeks and in three variants -- 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 leather seats, a 100-hp Rotax 912 engine, and a BRS complete aircraft parachute recovery system.
Come ride along with Aero-TV as we rendezvous in the skies over the Atlantic Ocean with the new PiperSport!
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FMI: www.piper.com, www.aero-tv.net, www.youtube.com/aerotvnetwork, http://twitter.com/AeroNews

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• Piper LSA
• SAE
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• Piper Aircraft
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• Derek Zimmerman
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[ralphwishart]

I see two bright points here. One, there's a misconception among GA pilots that LSA is unrealiable and I hope that it vanishes with the introduction the sky catcher and Piper Sport. the other point is that it's not built in China like the Sky catcher. It's not a Piper. but who cares? CZAW is fine also

[33jarhead88]

Everyone gripes about the cost of GA airplanes. Let's remember that small aircraft manufacturers are barely staying afloat..which is due in no small part to their astronomical insurance costs..which many would argue is thanks to the greed of many lawyers, who ironically, can afford to own personal airplanes. Every time someone is injured in an airplane, no matter the cause, there are unscrupulous people lining-up to cash in. We all pay in one way or another.

[JetMechMA]

@blueflame53: Why not just modernize the cub? and sell it for 20-30 thousand?

JM: You've hit upon the truth. They did just that during WW2 with the J-3 Cub. Cranked em out like chicklets for the military as observation planes. Of course they could do as you suggested, but the truth is, they want to keep aviation for the wealthy. That's obvious.

[Transam941]

LSAs are keeping GA alive.

[AffordableFireworks]

I want to buy a plane of my own one day and right now this would be my first choice. I thought about building a Lancair (even went to the factory in Oregon) but I think for easy of entry into avation I would choose this one first.

[chwilliams5]

WOW, but it needs to make 130 kts. I can see alot of things hanging in the wind slowing this plane down. If the speed mods come so will the the followers... like me. Good job Piper

[sportscarsfreak]

Well in holland they are selling good. We have one, but not from piper. its the czaw sportcruiser. we bought it before piper bought that fabric up. its a very good plane, realy

[otterpat]

is the cub an lsa?

[justaflyguy1]

@Socalsurfer69 Dude, I don't want to spend 2 years building a RV-10. I don't have the time or the skills. Not many do.

I hope Piper sells a bajillion of these sporty little personals...

[SoCalSurfer69]

I love it when they say an entry point aircraft between 120 -140k when I am looking at older Pipers for less then 60. Not many people have 120k of disposable income. Vans RV for 1/2 the cost, heck you could build and RV10 for that and cary 4 real people on FAA people.

[blueflame53]

C'mon man you don't have an extra $140,000 dollars laying around somewhere....lol, I know what your saying . Why not just modernize the cub? and sell it for 20-30 thousand?