Editing Piper Aircraft (section)

==History==
[[File:Piper 1930s Picture.jpg|thumb|Piper Aircraft Company factory in [[Lock Haven, Pennsylvania]] during the 1930s, with the [[Piper Cub]] logo superimposed at the top]]

[[File:Piper PA-18-150 Super Cub lands RIAT Fairford 13July2017 arp.jpg|thumb|[[Piper PA-18 Super Cub|Piper PA-18-150 Super Cub]]. Built 1958.]]
[[File:piper.warrior.vicc.750pix.jpg|thumb|Piper PA-28-161 Warrior II]]
[[File:Piper PA-34 Seneca on the apron of London Oxford Airport, Oxfordshire, UK - 20130124.jpg|thumb|[[Piper PA-34 Seneca|Piper PA-34-200T Seneca]]]]
[[File:Impact Landing Dynamics Facility Crash Test - GPN-2000-001907.jpg|thumb|Piper PA-31 Navajo airframe used for crash testing by NASA after a 1972 flood inundated Piper's factory]]
[[File:Piper PA-31-310 Navajo (VH-XGL) at Essendon Airport.jpg|thumb|Early-production PA-31 Navajo]]
[[File:N2168A-3-sm.jpg|thumb|Piper PA-32RT-300T Turbo Lance II]]
[[File:Piper PA44-180 aircraft.jpg|thumb|Piper PA-44-180 Seminole]]
The company was founded as the Taylor Brothers Aircraft Manufacturing Company in September 1927 by brothers [[Clarence Gilbert Taylor|Clarence G. Taylor]] and Gordon A. Taylor in [[Rochester, New York]]. The company was renamed Taylor Brothers Aircraft Corporation in April 1928, shortly before Gordon Taylor died in an aircraft accident flying one of the brothers' own designs, a [[Taylor Chummy]], on April 24, 1928. The company was enticed to move to [[Bradford, Pennsylvania]], with the promise of a larger facility and investment capital from local businessmen, including an initial investment of $400 from local oil industry engineer [[William T. Piper]]. The move was completed in September 1929.<ref name="Pattillo18">Pattillo (1998), p. 18</ref>

===1930s===
In late 1930, the company filed for [[bankrupt]]cy and William T. Piper purchased the assets of the company for $761.<ref name="Pattillo18"/> Reorganized as the Taylor Aircraft Company, Piper effectively took control of the firm when he assumed the position of corporate [[secretary]]-[[treasurer]], although he retained C. G. Taylor in the role of [[president (corporate title)|president]].<ref name="Pattillo18"/> Piper, often called the "[[Henry Ford]] of Aviation", firmly believed a simple-to-operate, low-cost, private airplane would flourish, even in the darkest depths of the [[Great Depression]].<ref name="Pattillo19">Pattillo (1998), p. 19</ref> This aircraft was the [[Taylor Cub|E-2 Cub]].<ref name="Pattillo19"/>

In December 1935, after a series of clashes, William Piper bought out C. G. Taylor, who left the company and went on to form the [[Taylorcraft Aircraft|Taylorcraft Aircraft Company]]. On March 16, 1937, a fire destroyed the Bradford Piper factory and the company relocated to an abandoned silk mill in [[Lock Haven, Pennsylvania]]. In 1937, it was renamed Piper Aircraft Corporation.<ref name="Mondey254">Mondey (ed), (1978), p. 254</ref>

===1940s===
Piper continued operations in Lock Haven throughout World War II, building military versions of its J-3 Cub as the L-4 Grasshopper. A total of 5,941 powered aircraft were built by the company for the US armed forces during the war, as well as training [[glider aircraft|gliders]], and aircraft components for other manufacturers,<ref name="Trimble218">Trimble (1982), p. 218</ref> but its main contribution to the war effort was in the fabrication of steel masts for mounting [[radar]] antennas.<ref>Gilbert (1965), p. 34</ref> In 1946, the company opened a new factory in [[Ponca City, Oklahoma]], and transferred production of the Cub from Lock Haven. That year, Piper led the American industry in light aircraft production. Almost 7,800 of the 35,000 civil aircraft built in the United States that year were Pipers, but a strike led to a shortage of steel tubing, interrupting production, and 1,900 workers had to be suspended as a result.<ref name="Brady244"/><ref name="Pattillo50">Pattillo (1998), p. 50</ref>

The following year, the postwar [[general aviation]] boom ended.  This led to a downfall for the company. Piper's output reached 3,500 aircraft, less than half its 1946 total, and the company suffered an operating loss of more than $560,000.<ref name="Brady244">Brady (2000), p. 244</ref><ref name="Trimble243">Trimble (1982), p. 243</ref> The board of directors replaced William Piper with William Shriver, a former [[Chrysler]] executive.<ref name="Trimble243"/> Under Shriver, the product line was expanded with the introduction of the [[Piper PA-14 Family Cruiser|PA-14 Family Cruiser]] and [[Piper PA-15 Vagabond|PA-15 Vagabond]].<ref name="Trimble243"/> Piper introduced the Taxicub light charter concept at 1500 dealers and 52 distributors.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=AOPA Pilot|date=May 2014|title=Aerial Taxicabs|author=Alton K Marsh|page=45}}</ref> In 1948, with two thirds of its workforce laid off, Piper only lost $75,000, but it found itself no longer the leader in a shrinking market, falling behind Cessna, which itself only delivered 1,600 aircraft; the Ponca City factory was closed.<ref name="Brady244"/><ref name="Trimble243"/> At the end of 1948, Piper bought the [[Stinson Aircraft Company]] for $3 million and Shriver left the company.<ref name="Trimble244">Trimble (1982), p. 244</ref>

===1950s===
The outbreak of the [[Korean War]] in 1950 helped to stimulate production at Piper, which again won large orders for military versions of the Cub.<ref name="Trimble244"/> William Piper regained control of the company the same year, and the decision was made to develop a twin-engine aircraft. The company initially investigated producing the [[Baumann Brigadier]], but later decided to develop a Stinson design, which became the [[Piper PA-23|PA-23 Apache]].<ref name="Trimble244"/> In its business planning following the war, it became clear the Lock Haven facility would not support larger manufacturing efforts, and in 1955 it acquired rights to property at the [[Vero Beach Municipal Airport]].{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}} Vero Beach was initially used as a center for design work under [[Fred Weick]], with the first aircraft developed there being Piper's first [[agricultural aircraft]], the [[Piper PA-25 Pawnee|PA-25 Pawnee]], announced in 1958 and entering production the following year at Lock Haven.<ref>{{cite magazine| title=A New Agricultural Piper |magazine=[[Flight International|Flight]] |date=19 December 1958 |volume=74 |issue=2604 |page=934 |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1958/1958-1-%20-%200926.html |access-date=12 August 2012 }}</ref>

===1960s===
In 1960, the line of Piper aircraft consisted of agricultural and two-passenger variants of the Super Cub, the [[Piper PA-20 Pacer|Caribbean, Colt and Tri-Pacer]], two versions of the [[Piper PA-24 Comanche|PA-24 Comanche]], the Pawnee, the Apache and its new larger derivative the [[Piper PA-23|Aztec]].<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1959/1959%20-%202987.html ''Flight'', 13 November 1959, p. 552] retrieved 13 August 2012</ref> The following year, the [[Piper PA-28|PA-28 Cherokee]] was the first type to enter production at the new Vero Beach factory.<ref name="Pattillo84">Pattillo (1998), p. 84</ref><ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1960/1960%20-%202998.html "Sport and Business", ''Flight'' magazine, 16 December 1960, p. 954 (online archive version)] retrieved 13 August 2012</ref> The Cherokee replaced the Tri-Pacer and Colt, which ended their production runs in 1961 and 1964 respectively.<ref name="Pattillo84"/> By the later part of the decade, Vero Beach was building 7,000 Cherokees per year.<ref name="Trimble261">Trimble (1982), p. 261</ref>

In 1963, Piper supported [[Betty Miller (pilot)|Betty Miller]]'s successful attempt to be the first female pilot to fly solo across the [[Pacific Ocean]], during which she delivered a twin-engine Piper aircraft from Oakland, California, USA to Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Betty Jean Verret Miller Obituary (1926 - 2018) Deseret News|url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/deseretnews/name/betty-miller-obituary?id=1631174|access-date=2021-09-12|website=Legacy.com}}</ref>

In September 1964, Piper flew the prototype of its new [[Piper PA-31 Navajo|PA-31 Navajo]] cabin-class twin for the first time, after two-and-a-half years of development.<ref name="FrawN">"Piper PA-31 Navajo", Frawley (1997), p. 162</ref><ref name="PA31ann">[http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1964/1964%20-%203098.html "Piper's New Medium Twin", ''Flight International'' magazine, 24 December 1964, p. 1065 (online archive version)] retrieved 23 August 2012</ref>

In 1969, the Piper family agreed to sell Piper Aircraft to the [[Bangor Punta Corporation]], which started an eight-year court battle with the losing bidder, [[Chris-Craft Industries]], culminating in a [[Supreme Court of the United States|Supreme Court]] decision in 1977.<ref name="BangorP">{{cite web|url = http://supreme.justia.com/us/430/1/case.html |title = Piper V. Chris-Craft Industries, Inc., 430 U. S. 1 (1977)|access-date = 7 April 2010|last = Justia |date=December 1977}}</ref>

===1970s===
Piper discussed a merger with [[Sino Swearingen Aircraft Corporation|Swearingen]] but the deal was not completed.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Air Progress|date=November 1971|page=16}}</ref> The Lock Haven facility was nearly destroyed in 1972 when torrential rains from [[Hurricane Agnes]] caused the [[Susquehanna River]] to flood in June. The manufacturing plant was flooded to a depth of {{convert|16|ft|m}}, effectively destroying about 100 aircraft and causing an estimated $23 million in damage.<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1972/1972%20-%201702.html "Piper Lockhaven (sic) plant flooded", ''Flight International'' magazine, 6 July 1972, p. 3 (online archive version)] retrieved 10 August 2012</ref><ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1972/1972%20-%201901.html "Piper damage estimate increased", ''Flight International'' magazine, 27 July 1972, p. 118 (online archive version)] retrieved 10 August 2012</ref> Much of the tooling necessary for production of several designs, including the Aztec, Navajo, and Comanche, was also destroyed,{{Citation needed|date=August 2012}} and the [[Piper PA-31T Cheyenne]] program received a setback when the prototype was damaged just after the [[Federal Aviation Administration]] awarded it [[Type certificate|Type Certification]].<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1972/1972%20-%201901.html ''Flight International'' magazine, 20 July 1972, p. 81 (online archive version)] retrieved 10 August 2012</ref> Initial deliveries of the new [[Piper PA-31 Navajo|PA-31-350 Chieftain]] were also delayed by several months.<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1972/1972%20-%202469.html "Piper announces Navajo Chieftain", ''Flight International'' magazine, 14 September 1972, p. 360 (online archive version)] retrieved 10 August 2012</ref> After the flood, Piper gave 32 written-off PA-28s, PA-31s and PA-23 Aztecs to [[NASA]], which used them for [[crash test]]s at the [[Langley Research Center]], using a rig originally built to simulate spacecraft landings on the moon for the [[Apollo program]].<ref>Hayduck Memorandum, p. 2</ref>

As a result of the flood, and market factors, the company decided to end production of the [[Piper PA-24 Comanche|Comanche]]<ref name="peperell_1987_p110">Peperell 1987, p. 110</ref> and [[Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche|Twin Comanche]].<ref name-"twin_comanche_av_consumer">[https://www.aviationconsumer.com/used-aircraft-guide/used-aircraft-guide-twin-comanche/ "Twin Comanche,"] ''Aviation Consumer,'' retrieved September 25, 2023</ref> Piper opened a manufacturing division in [[Lakeland, Florida]], in 1972 and through the 1970s, the [[Piper PA-31 Navajo]], Chieftain, and [[Cheyenne III]] were manufactured at the more than {{convert|710,000|sqft|adj=on}} facility on the Lakeland municipal airport.<ref name="1983|0748|Flight Archive"/>

===1980s and 1990s===
Piper opened its T1000 airline division at the [[Lakeland, Florida]], location in May 1981, with 20 people. Employment at both of Piper's Lakeland divisions peaked at 2,200 later that year. The [[Piper PA-42 Cheyenne]] IV and the [[Piper T-1020]]/[[Piper T-1040]] aircraft were manufactured in Lakeland during that time. Piper also maintained a fully staffed research and development center in Lakeland, including the "X" shop, which developed the [[Piper PA-48 Enforcer]]. The airline division provided aircraft for commuter airlines in the United States including [[Air New Orleans]], Desert Sun in Long Beach, Shasta Air and [[Sun West Airlines]], as well as internationally for Vickers for corporate transport use in the United Kingdom, Cameroon's Avia Services and to Piper's distributor in Colombia, Aero Leaver.<ref name="1983|0748|Flight Archive">{{Cite news|url = http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1983/1983%20-%200748.html|title = Piper consolidates at Lakeland|access-date = 23 November 2011|date=April 1983| work = Flight International|issn = 0015-3710}}</ref> In 1984, Piper changed hands when parent company Bangor Punta was acquired by Lear Siegler<ref name="Lear">{{cite web|url = https://www.gjenvick.com/BangorPunta/Corporate/Timeline/BPCorporateHistory1980s.html|title = Bangor Punta Timeline - 1980s|access-date = 7 April 2010|last = Bangor Punta|year = 2010}}</ref> which, in turn, was acquired by Forstmann Little in 1986.<ref name="FundingU">{{cite web|url = http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Lear-Corporation-Company-History.html|title = Lear Corporation|access-date = 7 April 2010|last = FundingUniverse|year = 2004}}</ref> Forstmann Little then sold Piper to [[M. Stuart Millar]] in 1987.<ref name="Millar">{{cite news|url = https://www.nytimes.com/1990/03/15/business/piper-aircraft-s-rescuer-falters.html?pagewanted=1|title = Piper Aircraft's Rescuer Falters|access-date = 7 April 2010|last = Weiner|first = Eric|date=March 1990 | work=The New York Times}}</ref>

Manufacture of light aircraft was impacted in the mid-1980s when increasing product liability insurance premiums made operation financially difficult for Piper and other American manufacturers of light aircraft. In a bid to improve sales, Piper cut prices for its aircraft and the company became unprofitable. In 1991 the Lakeland, Florida factory was sold and closed and by July that year the workforce had shrunk to 45; with only $1,000 in available cash remaining, Piper filed for [[Chapter 11, Title 11, United States Code|Chapter 11 bankruptcy]] after a proposed takeover by competing French manufacturer [[Socata]] failed over the issue of product liability.<ref name="Suma"/><ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1991/1991%20-%200687.html "Piper rescue package fails", ''Flight International'' magazine, 27 March - 2 April, 1991, p. 5 (online archive version)] retrieved 12 August 2012</ref> Production of the flagship Cheyenne 400 ended in February 1993 with only 43 being built since its inception a decade earlier.<ref name="Anet42">{{cite web|title=Aircraft data: Piper PA-42 Cheyenne III/400 |url=http://www.airliners.net/aircraft-data/stats.main?id=314|publisher=Airliners.net|access-date=23 November 2011}}</ref> In 1995, the company emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy and was renamed '''New Piper Aircraft'''. As part of the end of bankruptcy protection, the company was sold to Newco Pac Inc., itself owned by Piper's creditors (including major creditor, aircraft engine manufacturer [[Continental Motors, Inc.|Teledyne Continental Motors]]) and a Philadelphia-based investment firm.<ref name="Suma">Lopez, Ramon. [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1995/1995%20-%202417.html "Piper sings a new tune: Piper's emergence from Chapter II heralds a rebirth of general aviation", ''Flight International'' magazine, 23–29 August 1995, p. 26 (online archive version)] retrieved 12 August 2012</ref><ref name="JanesPiperInc">{{cite web|url = http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Aircraft-Upgrades/Piper--Piper-Aircraft-Inc-United-States.html|title = Piper - Piper Aircraft Inc (United States), Contractors|access-date = 7 April 2010|last = Jane's Information Group|author-link = Jane's Information Group|year = 2009}}</ref>

===2000s===
In July 2003, American Capital Strategies, Ltd. bought 94% of Piper's voting equity.<ref name="Sale of Piper Aircraft">{{cite web|url = https://aviationweek.com/new-piper-under-new-ownership-bought-out-american-capital|title = American Capital Acquires Piper Aircraft | website = Aviationweek.com |access-date = 2022-10-02|date=June 2009}}</ref><ref name="Sale of Piper">{{cite web|last = mergr.com | url = https://mergr.com/american-capital-acquires-piper-aircraft|title = American Capital Acquires Piper Aircraft |access-date = 2022-10-02|date=June 2009}}</ref>

In July 2006, a partnership with [[Honda]] was announced to market the new [[Honda HA-420 HondaJet|HA-420 HondaJet]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Honda Enters the Aviation Market |author=Micheline Maynard |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/25/business/25cnd-honda.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=July 25, 2006 |access-date=12 August 2012}}</ref> The following month, the firm dropped the "New" from its name, reverting to '''Piper Aircraft'''.

In response to the [[late 2000s recession]], the company announced in November 2008 that it was reducing its work-week to save money while avoiding lay-offs. Piper is party to an agreement with the state of [[Florida]] that will see the company benefit from $32 million in incentives in exchange for increasing its work force to 1400 people and building the PiperJet in the state.<ref name="Avweb14Nov08">{{cite web|url = http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/eclipse_paycheck_payroll_cirrus_cessna_piper_beechcraft_layoff_199208-1.html|title = Eclipse Promises Paychecks By Tuesday |access-date = 2008-11-15|last = Pew|first = Glann|date=November 2008}}</ref>

In December 2008, the company announced it would defer the $10 million incentive that required hiring 400 new workers by 2012 for the PiperJet project and retain 1,417 employees through 2015. The company stated the move was precautionary. Piper spokesman Mark Miller said: "While this year has been a good one for Piper, we have taken measures to keep the company healthy and to weather any future adversity."<ref name="AvWeb26Dec08">{{cite web|url = http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/piperjet_mooney_layoffs_employee_199466-1.html|title = Piper, Mooney See Cutbacks |access-date = 2008-12-29|last = Pew|first = Glenn|date=December 2008}}</ref>

In February 2009, the company announced it was laying off an additional 300 workers without notice immediately and the 650 remaining workers would be given unpaid weeks off in April and July to reduce unsold inventory. Piper spokesman Mark Miller stated company regretted the pain caused by the layoffs and indicated the employees would be rehired when the economy improves. He also said: "Even the willing buyers that we have find it incredibly difficult to get financing...We can't keep a full workforce on at this point when people aren't buying planes...If market conditions continue to deteriorate, it may be necessary for the company to take additional actions". On 24 February 2009, the company announced it would add two more weeks of unpaid furlough for its employees in May and June, bringing the total to four weeks in 2009, citing a need to reduce inventory and cut expenses. In June 2010, the company announced it would shut down for a further week in August to save money. The lay-off affected all workers except those on the PiperJet program and some critical company business functions.<ref name="AvWeb10Feb098">{{cite web|url = http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/PiperCutsAnother300Jobs_199742-1.html|title = Piper Cuts Another 300 Jobs  |access-date = 2009-02-12|last = Grady|first = Mary|date=February 2009}}</ref><ref name="PalmBeachPost10Feb098">{{cite web|url = http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/content/business/epaper/2009/02/10/1002piper.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=6|title = Piper Aircraft lays off Vero Beach 300 workers, plans to close for 2 weeks  |access-date = 2009-02-12|last = Samples|first = Eve|date=February 2009}}</ref><ref name="AvWeb24Feb09">{{cite web|url = http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/PiperAddsTwoMoreWeeksOfShutdown_199839-1.html|title = Piper Adds Two More Weeks Of Shutdown |access-date = 2009-02-26|last = Grady|first = Mary |date=February 2009}}</ref><ref name="AvWeb29Jun10">{{cite web|url = http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/AtPiperRecoveryIsRocky_202796-1.html|title = Piper To Shut For A Week|access-date = 1 July 2010|last = Grady|first = Mary|date=June 2010}}</ref>

On 1 May 2009, American Capital Strategies sold the company to [[Singapore]]-based investment strategy company [[Imprimis (holding company)|Imprimis]], making a profit of US$31 million on the sale. Imprimis is funded by the [[Government of Brunei]] and has offices in [[Bangkok]], Singapore and [[Brunei Darussalam]].<ref name="AvWeb01May09">{{cite web|url = http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/piper_sold_imprimis_200303-1.html|title = Piper Has Been Sold|access-date = 2009-05-04|last = Pew|first = Glenn|date=May 2009}}</ref><ref name="PRnewswire05May09">{{cite web|url = http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/05-05-2009/0005019863&EDATE=|title = American Capital Realizes $31 Million Gain From Sale of Piper Aircraft|access-date = 2009-05-07|last = American Capital Strategies, Ltd.|date = May 2009|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090510041423/http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=104&STORY=%2Fwww%2Fstory%2F05-05-2009%2F0005019863&EDATE=|archive-date = 2009-05-10}}</ref><ref name="FlightGlobal18Jul09">{{cite web|url = http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/07/18/329788/new-owner-brightens-outlook-for-piper.html|title = New owner brightens outlook for Piper |access-date = 2009-07-27|last = Sobie|first = Brendan|date=July 2009}}</ref>

In June 2009, James Bass, CEO of Piper Aircraft since 2005, announced he would step down effective that same month. He was succeeded by VP of operations Kevin Gould. During his four years at Piper, Bass oversaw development of the [[Piper PA-47 PiperJet|PiperJet]], the [[Piper Meridian|Meridian G1000]] and the [[Piper Meridian|Matrix]], and negotiated a new business partnership with Honda. He also negotiated $32 million in incentives from the state and county that retained Piper's factory in Vero Beach, Florida.<ref name="AvWeb10Jun09">{{cite web|url = http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/BassToStepDownAsPiperCEO_200533-1.html|title = Bass To Step Down As Piper CEO |access-date = 2009-06-11|last = Grady|first = Mary|date=June 2009}}</ref>

On 2 November 2009, company president John Becker announced his resignation effective 1 December 2009 "to pursue other career opportunities". Becker was replaced as president by CEO Kevin Gould.<ref name="Vanderhoof02Nov09">{{cite web|url = http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2009/nov/02/pipers-president-john-becker-resigning/|title = Piper President John Becker is resigning |access-date = 2009-11-02|last = Vanderhoof|first = Nadia|date=November 2009}}</ref><ref name="AvWeb05Nov09">{{cite web|url = http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/PiperNamesNewPresident_201470-1.html|title = Piper Names New President, VPs|access-date = 2009-11-06|last = Niles|first = Russ|date=November 2009}}</ref>

===2010s===
On 4 January 2010, the company announced [[Boeing]] subsidiary Aviall would act as Piper's sole global parts distributor.<ref name="AvWeb05Jan10" />

In July 2010, CEO Kevin Gould resigned for unspecified reasons, having served just over a year in the post. Gould was replaced on an interim basis by Geoffrey Berger, managing director of Imprimus in Brunei, on behalf of the government of Brunei. Also in July 2010, longtime Piper media spokesman Mark Miller left the company.<ref name="AvWeb">{{cite web|url = http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/GouldOutAsPiperCEO_202909-1.html|title = Gould Out As Piper CEO|access-date = 22 July 2010|last = Niles|first = Russ|date=July 2010}}</ref>

In September 2010, Piper announced the lay-off of an additional 60 production workers. Piper's interim CEO Geoffrey Berger stated: "Piper remains challenged by overall market weakness". The company hired 140 workers for the PiperJet program in 2009–10.<ref name="Avweb28Sep10">{{Cite news|url = http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/MoreJobsLostAtPiperAndHawkerBeechcraft_203349-1.html|title = More Jobs Lost, At Piper And Hawker Beechcraft|access-date = 11 October 2010|last = Grady|first = Mary|date=September 2010| work = AvWeb}}</ref>

Piper started renovation of a {{convert|75000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} factory in Vero Beach in October 2010, with a completion goal of 2011. The facility was intended to be used to build the PiperJet.<ref name="AvWeb12Oct10">{{Cite news|url = http://www.avweb.com/avwebbiz/news/WorkStartsOnPiperJetFactory_203425-1.html|title = Work Starts On PiperJet Factory|access-date = 14 October 2010|last = Niles|first = Russ|date=October 2010| work = AvWeb}}</ref>

On 17 October 2011, the company announced Simon Caldecott had replaced Geoff Berger as interim CEO. At the same time, executive vice president Randy Groom also resigned from the company and it was announced that the [[Piper Altaire]] program was "under review".<ref name="AVweb17Oct11">{{Cite news|url = http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/AnotherNewCEOAtPiper_205590-1.html|title = Another New CEO At Piper|access-date = 20 October 2011|last = Grady|first = Mary|date=October 2011| work = AVweb}}</ref> Only one week later, on 24 October 2011, Piper Aircraft announced it had "indefinitely suspended" all work on the Altaire project and would be laying off 150 of its 850 employees, plus 55 contract workers, due to the program's cancellation.<ref name="AINonline24Oct11">{{Cite news|url = http://www.ainonline.com/?q=aviation-news/2011-10-24/piperjet-altaire-program-suspended-indefinitely|title = Piperjet Altaire Program Suspended 'Indefinitely'|access-date = 4 November 2011|last = Trautvetter|first = Chad|date=October 2011| work = AINonline}}</ref>

In December 2011, Piper announced it was attempting to renegotiate the 2008 deal it had made with the state of Florida and Indian River County for incentives. The company did not meet its contractual requirements to employ 1,100 people by the end of 2009; instead, employment fell to 600, and as a result, the company owed US$1.5 million. Piper is looking for forgiveness of the debt.<ref name="AVweb08Dec11">{{Cite news|url = http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/piper_incentive_forgive_state_county_employ_205856-1.html|title = Piper Seeks Forgiveness|access-date = 9 December 2011|last = Pew|first = Glenn|date = 8 December 2011| work = AVweb}}</ref> Also in December, Piper came under the direct ownership of the government of Brunei.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.veronews.com/news/indian_river_county/spotlight/piper-aircraft-now-directly-owned-by-sultan-of-brunei/article_b5756e70-26d8-11e1-9ac9-001a4bcf6878.html|title=Piper Aircraft now directly owned by Sultan of Brunei|work=VeroNews|access-date=18 July 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223050331/http://www.veronews.com/news/indian_river_county/spotlight/piper-aircraft-now-directly-owned-by-sultan-of-brunei/article_b5756e70-26d8-11e1-9ac9-001a4bcf6878.html|archive-date=23 February 2015}}</ref>

In July 2015 the company announced it was laying off 15-20% of its workers, about 150 people, as sales were faltering amongst world markets, especially Asia, Latin America and Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Piper-To-Lay-Off-Up-To-150-Workers-224429-1.html|title=Piper To Lay Off Up To 150 Workers|work=AVweb|date=15 July 2015|access-date=18 July 2015}}</ref>

In February 2018, Piper announced the largest order of trainer aircraft in the company's history. [[Fanmei Aviation Technologies]], which is Piper's exclusive dealer in China, placed an order for 152 aircraft.  The deliveries will take place over a period of seven years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.piper.com/piper-receives-largest-trainer-order-in-company-history-from-fanmei-aviation-technologies/|title=Piper Receives Largest Trainer Order In Company History From Fanmei Aviation Technologies|work=Piper Company|date=7 February 2018 |access-date=24 February 2018}}</ref>

In April 2019 an even bigger order was announced: [[L3 Commercial Training Solutions|L3 Commercial Aviation]] will take delivery up to 240 new aircraft over the next 10 years. The order will consist of single-engine [[Piper Archer]]s and twin-engine [[Piper Seminole]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://flash.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/L3-Orders-240-Pipers-232544-1.html|title =L3 Orders 240 Pipers |access-date = 4 April 2019|last =O'Connor |first = Kate|work = AVweb|date =25 April 2019}}</ref>

===2020s===
In March 2021, CEO Simon Caldecott announced that he would retire in April 2021. CFO John Calcagno assumed the role of president and CEO in April 2021.<ref name="Boatman25Mar21">{{cite web|url= https://www.flyingmag.com/story/news/piper-ceo-caldecott-to-retire/|title= Piper Aircraft CEO Caldecott to Retire in April|access-date= 12 May 2021 |last= Boatman|first= Julie |work= [[Flying magazine]]|date= 25 March 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210325192235/https://www.flyingmag.com/story/news/piper-ceo-caldecott-to-retire/|archive-date= 25 March 2021|url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2021-04-08/john-calcagno-takes-reins-piper-aircraft|title= John Calcagno Takes Reins at Piper Aircraft|access-date= 6 June 2021|last= Lynch|first= Kerry|work= Aviation International News|date= 8 April 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210408160919/https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2021-04-08/john-calcagno-takes-reins-piper-aircraft|archive-date= 8 April 2021|url-status= live}}</ref>

In February 2024, Piper introduced a brand new aircraft, the M700 Fury.  This aircraft had been secretly developed over the course of the past two years, and was a pleasant surprise to the aviation community.<ref>[https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2024/february/06/introducing-the-piper-m700]</ref><ref>[https://www.piper.com/model/m700-fury/]</ref>

In October 2024, the Piper M700 FURY, a high-performance single-engine aircraft by Piper Aircraft, received type certification from several aviation authorities: the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), Brazil’s Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil (ANAC), and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) of Australia. The certification encompasses flight approvals in known icing conditions and for operation on unpaved surfaces, enhancing the M700 FURY’s operational versatility. Deliveries for customers in Europe, Brazil, and Australia are set to begin by the end of October 2024, following this milestone certification.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Piper Fury Achieves New International Type Certification |last=Godlewski |first=Meg |work=FLYING Magazine |date=30 October 2024 |access-date=19 March 2025 |url= https://www.flyingmag.com/aircraft/piper-fury-achieves-new-international-type-certification/}}</ref>