Details Start To Emerge

While the real buzz will begin at this October's 2006 NBAA Convention, Piper Boss James Bass is starting to let fly with a few choice details on their soon-to-be-officially announced "PiperJet" GA jet program.

Even after Piper's stunning Oshkosh announcement of a deal with industrial giant Honda, Bass alluded to ANN that there is still another jet in Piper's future... and this one was all theirs.

At the Malibu Mirage Owners and Pilot Association Annual get-together in Colorado Springs, CO, CEO Bass (pictured below) gave a limited presentation that seems to all but commit Piper to the development of a jet that sources say will be "positioned somewhere between a Piper Meridian and the HondaJet."

So serious is the program that Piper has reportedly started taking refundable $10K deposits prior to the release of additional details that will be unveiled in Orlando at NBAA 2006. The deposits were being taken despite the lack of release of concrete details on the airplane, though anyone that submits a deposit can apparently get their money back at NBAA if they don't like what Piper officially announces at that time.

There was also some good news for folks who need to fly something in the meantime... Piper will reportedly offer discounts against a future PiperJet purchase for those buying high-end Piper planes in the interim. The discounts offer a $50K break for those buying a Mirage and a solid $100K discount for Meridian purchasers.

One thing's for sure... the upcoming NBAA show in Orlando this October 17th-19th, is sure to be more interesting than usual. More info to come...

FMI: www.newpiper.com