Piper injects life into Archer

Piper CEO Simon Caldecott said the company must invest in its entire product line, which includes updates to trainers that have been in production for decades. The Archer already comes with a Garmin G1000 panel, and a new diesel option, dubbed the Archer DX, was approved last year. Now customers also will have the option of choosing a fuel-injected Lycoming engine on the Archer, which Piper is calling the TX.

The fuel-injected engine will be available as a $10,000 upgrade. Due to current customer agreements, a Piper representative said the carbureted engine will continue to be produced for the time being. That will give Archer customers three engine choices.

Certification is expected in a number of days, according to a representative.