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Piper Aircraft, a key player in the general aviation industry, stands alongside Cessna and Beechcraft as part of the "Big Three" manufacturers. While Cessna and Beechcraft have expanded into private aviation, Piper has remained focused on producing turboprop and piston-powered aircraft for civil use. However, in the early 2000s, Piper considered entering the business aviation market with a unique project: the Piper PA-47 PiperJet.
The PiperJet was envisioned as a single-engine jet aircraft aimed at filling a gap in very light business jets. Announced in October 2006, it was initially priced at just over $2 million. By early 2007, approximately 180 pre-orders had been received. The jet's entry into the market was planned for early 2010 but faced delays until mid-2013.
In 2009, Imprimis acquired Piper Aircraft, leading to significant changes in the project. The redesigned model featured a larger fuselage and conventional control yoke while maintaining its competitive price point of around $2.6 million. This version was named the PiperJet Altaire.
