Among the announcements:
*Cirrus goes L3 avonics…goodbye avidyne…I guess its just for the jet but i assume l3 will be for the SRX planes too. This would mean a big hit for Cirrus owners (resale), and this might mean trouble for avidyne if used in SRX planes as Adam will be the only company using them
*Piper Garmin g1000 in jet
*TBM 850 garmin g1000
…and a sidenote:
Cessna is buying Columbia
Also recently announced (not necessarily at NBAA)
*An all-glass avionics package is being developed for HondaJet by Garmin.
*Garmin’s G1000(R) to be Available on King Air 200 and B200
*Cessna Selects Garmin’s G1000(R) for the Caravan
*Garmin G300 avionics designed especially for the Cessna Skycatcher.
I think what we are seeing here is financially fit companies fighting to stay ahead not necessarily to beat the competitor directly but to offer a better product. As all of these strong companies (Cirrus, Cessna, Diamond) continue to push the envelope; the weak companies like Columbia and Mooney are struggling more then ever. As I mentioned Cessna is buying bankrupt Columbia, and I am sure Mooney can’t be lasting much longer.
Of course Cessna, who is busy with their jets can use Coumbia to get a plane out that doesnt require any work or money. Reading avweb, klapminer calls it a good thing. But with Cessnas name, it is possible they would kill Cirrus sales (ala Cirrus killer). Maybe he is just looking good for the press?
Let’s not forget about Piper. They use the Avidyne also in their piston line. I think the only one you can get the G1000 in is the Saratoga.
You mentioned Mooney and Columbia struggling, personally, I think the writing is on the wall for New Piper. Maybe in 15 years it will be revived as the New New Piper.
I think all their eggs are in the jet basket, and I don’t see that being all that good of a thing. I think it’s one up on looks/size of the Eclipse and Diamond, but still no competition for the Mustang. Piper’s product support is ridiculous. I work for a school that has 8 2002 seminoles, and the support from Piper is horrible. We’ve got 17 2007 172s that replaced 17 2001/2002 172s. Our experience with Cessna has been great, minus a few QA issues with this last batch.
2008?!
I think all their eggs are in the jet basket, and I don’t see that being all that good of a thing. I think it’s one up on looks/size of the Eclipse and Diamond, but still no competition for the Mustang. Piper’s product support is ridiculous. I work for a school that has 8 2002 seminoles, and the support from Piper is horrible.
I couldn’t agree more with you. I used to run a charter operation that had a Meridian on its ticket – we were the only Meridian at the time (I think there is now one back east). We could have been Piper’s best ambassador for the Meridian. Instead, their level of support and customer service (Piper views their dealers as their customers, not the end user) was what I would expect from a cash starved start-up company. When Bass came in, I truly thought that things would change; however, in reality, nothing much has changed.
It is really sad too – Piper is a legacy company; Piper is right up there with Cessna and Beechcraft steeped in a great amount of aviation history. I fear that what testaj stated is correct – they are putting their eggs in the PiperJet basket. Moreover, I don’t know too many people who have the money to buy the PiperJet AND put up with their horrible level of support and customer service. There are both systemic and organizational problems at that company, and they could very well spell the end of the company – I hope not though.
Long Live the Starship!
Chris
NC-29/N8244L