Piper Aircraft introduced its new interim president and CEO John Calcagno at EAA AirVenture on Monday, July 26, and Calcagno expressed enthusiasm for his new role at the legendary manufacturer after 11 years as its CFO. “It goes without saying that I’m honored to be here at Piper Aircraft,” and he went on to stress the legacy of excellence, quality, and value that he finds continuing on at the OEM. He also emphasized the advance in safety made possible by the partnership with Garmin Aviation on the Autoland version found on the M600. “The M600 SLS and its Halo Safety System with Autoland is the result of an unwavering commitment to safety as well as the desire to evolve our products based on market input. The Halo system greatly enhances situational awareness and operational safety through the use of advanced technology and is one the most significant advancements in general aviation history.”
Piper announced at the show the certification and availability of Garmin’s GWX 8000 weather radar system for the M600, M500, and M350 models. Featuring StormOptix, it represents Garmin’s most advanced radar technology bundled into one package—and the first such certification in owner-flown, non-jet GA aircraft. Its Auto Mode and 3D volumetric scanning provide easier threat identification and reduction of pilot workload. In a nutshell, you just don’t have to fiddle with it the way a pilot does with legacy radar systems.
