16 April 2021
Piper has shown off its new trainer aircraft, the Piper Pilot 100i, for the first time at this week’s Sun n’ Fun event in Florida.
The company calls the 100i ‘the value priced addition to Piper’s trainer-class line-up’ with a price tag under $300,000. However, the 100i is far from being a bare bones aircraft with a Garmin G3X glass cockpit, digital autopilot, IFR fit, 180hp Lycoming engine and vinyl seats.
Announced two years ago, the 100i received type certification from the FAA in December 2020 and deliveries started immediately with eight aircraft to launch customer American Flyers.
Ron Gunnarson of Piper sales said, “Adding the Pilot 100i to our training product line at a price point that provides optimal economics has opened the door for new aircraft purchases for many flight schools.
“We are experiencing robust demand with 2021 production currently sold out. We continue to conduct a US demo tour of the Pilot 100i selling backlog into 2022.”
Above: the Pilot 100i’s simple three-seat cabin, designed especially for flight training. Below: Garmin G3X glass cockpit with G5 standby instrument. Photos: Piper Aircraft
The Garmin G3X flightdeck is standard. Engine is a 180hp Lycoming IO-360-B4A which offers 128ktas max cruise speed and 522nm range with 45-minute reserve.
The cabin is said to have been designed around direct input from flight instructors and students, and is “simple, yet functional and was specifically crafted to withstand the rigours of flight training”.
Standard spec
