Piper and Native American
- Thread starter bc2209
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A Life Aloft
Well-Known Member
Interesting question. I always assumed it was just a marketing tactic. But, I found this excerpt from here: http://www.avweb.com/news/usedacft/182792-1.html?redirected=1
In 1954, Piper introduced the Apache, the company's first all-metal airplane, and Piper's first twin. The name was in recognition of Bill Piper's own American Indian roots, and was the first in a line of models named after Native Americans. The Apache's success allowed Piper to open a new research and development facility in Vero Beach, Fla., at an old U.S. Navy facility. Piper's presence in Florida eventually led to a manufacturing facility in Vero Beach, where the Cherokee (PA-28 series) was designed and produced. The design of the original four-place Cherokee became the foundation for the Warrior, Archer, Dakota, Arrow, and Saratoga, all together representing more than half of Piper's fleet. The PA-28 was stretched into the PA-32, or Cherokee Six, to accommodate six people. The PA-32 family also includes the six-seat Saratoga II TC. Piper now had experience with six-seat aircraft.
Equally important to the eventual development of the Malibu was Piper's introduction of a cabin-class twin in 1967. The PA-31 Navajo was designed at the start for business use, and from that model followed the Navajo Chieftain, the largely-forgotten Mojave, and eventually the twin-turboprop Cheyenne series. Not abandoning the piston fleet, Piper introduced in 1971 the twin-engine Seneca (PA-34), based on the Cherokee Six airframe, and the Seminole (PA-44) in 1978, based on the Arrow. Piper has built more than 20,000 twin-engine airplanes.
In 1954, Piper introduced the Apache, the company's first all-metal airplane, and Piper's first twin. The name was in recognition of Bill Piper's own American Indian roots, and was the first in a line of models named after Native Americans. The Apache's success allowed Piper to open a new research and development facility in Vero Beach, Fla., at an old U.S. Navy facility. Piper's presence in Florida eventually led to a manufacturing facility in Vero Beach, where the Cherokee (PA-28 series) was designed and produced. The design of the original four-place Cherokee became the foundation for the Warrior, Archer, Dakota, Arrow, and Saratoga, all together representing more than half of Piper's fleet. The PA-28 was stretched into the PA-32, or Cherokee Six, to accommodate six people. The PA-32 family also includes the six-seat Saratoga II TC. Piper now had experience with six-seat aircraft.
Equally important to the eventual development of the Malibu was Piper's introduction of a cabin-class twin in 1967. The PA-31 Navajo was designed at the start for business use, and from that model followed the Navajo Chieftain, the largely-forgotten Mojave, and eventually the twin-turboprop Cheyenne series. Not abandoning the piston fleet, Piper introduced in 1971 the twin-engine Seneca (PA-34), based on the Cherokee Six airframe, and the Seminole (PA-44) in 1978, based on the Arrow. Piper has built more than 20,000 twin-engine airplanes.
"Mr. Piper is dead. Let's make him roll over in his grave!"
Inverted
mmmmmm wine
Matrix, Malibu and Mirage for that matter...
Very interesting. Also, the US Army names it's aircraft after Indian tribes. The Huey is officially the Iroquois, The U-8 (Twin Bonanza) was the Seminole, U-21 (Queen Air) was a Ute, OH-58 Kiowa, AH-1 was Cobra....however technically part of the Iroquois series, OH-13 Sioux, OH-6 Cayuse, CH-54 Tarhe, etc. OH-23 Raven, oddly enough, didn't have an indian name.
Roger Roger
Bottom of the list
Why? The PA46 series seems to have found a niche. I mean they're not selling like hotcakes but there are quite a few of them out there. And I would think the Matrix would certainly have a place for guys who don't want to deal with the insurance and maintenance hassles of owning a pressurized airplane.
NewYorkophile
Fly Casual
I believe they were referring to "Matrix" having nothing to do with the Native American naming convention of Piper...basically what this whole thread is about
Roger Roger
Bottom of the list
herp derp, I'm retarded.I believe they were referring to "Matrix" having nothing to do with the Native American naming convention of Piper...basically what this whole thread is about