Chad is the editor of AINalerts, AIN's daily business aviation newsletter, and is also the news editor at AIN Media Group.&nbsp;He has been writing about aviation, with an emphasis on business aviation, since 1994. Chad started his writing career at The Avion,&nbsp;the&nbsp;student newspaper at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, serving as editor-in-chief before graduating with a bachelor's in aeronautical science. After a stint as managing editor at Professional Pilot&nbsp;magazine, he joined&nbsp;AIN in late 1998. Chad holds a commercial pilot certificated with instrument and multi-engine ratings, and he also is a CFI/CFII. He lives and works from his home in Venice, Florida.

Online Editor

Chad Trautvetter

Due to continuing weak global demand for general aviation aircraft, Piper Aircraft expects to lay off 15 to 20 percent of its more than 750 workers, the Vero Beach, Fla.-based aircraft manufacturer announced yesterday. “While the general aviation industry had been improving over the past several years, aircraft deliveries had begun to slow,” it said.

 


Piper Aircraft experienced a decline during the first quarter, partially due to reduced production numbers for M-class products in anticipation of new product announcements, namely the <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/general-aviation/2015-04-13/piper-launches-new-m600-and-m350-models">M350, M500 and M600</a>. “However, second-quarter deliveries have continued to remain sluggish and have not bounced back to the pace experienced in previous years,” Piper noted.

 


“Piper Aircraft has experienced steady recovery since 2009; however, we are facing challenges and economic instability in several key regions of the world, including Asia, parts of Europe and Latin America,” said Piper president and CEO Simon Caldecott. “The team at Piper is committed to the business and as such must make the agonizing decision to adjust accordingly. We must better align production with current market demand.”

 


As a result of this slowdown, Piper is adjusting the production schedule downward for the second half and next year, which will require a workforce reduction. However, if Piper’s full-time workforce dips below 650 before December 2016 then it will have to <a href="http://www.piper.com/piper-state-florida-amend-incentive-agreement/">repay some of the $3.3 million in economic incentives</a> it received from the state of Florida.

 


Caldecott said that while the piston and turboprop markets have slowed, the company is optimistic that sales will recover. In the meantime, the engineering and flight-test development teams are focused on the development and certification of the M600, Piper’s newest addition to the single-engine turboprop market.

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Piper Aircraft Plans Layoffs, Citing Weak Demand

Vero Beach, Fla.-based aircraft manufacturer expects to lay off 15- to 20 percent of its more than 750 workers as  sales dip in the first half of 2015.

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