Anyone know what this is about? An announcement at Sun N Fun? New model maybe?

They’re buying the g36 tcds...

The picture looks like one of their piston single airplanes. I would guess it’s a facelift on the Saratoga, perhaps with a Mooney style conversion to double doors. But that’s an uninformed guess.

Saratoga with a chute?

RAS

It appears to be a new trainer....from Piper website:

Over the past five years, sales of Piper training aircraft have increased more than 93%, with the
single engine Piper Archer leading the demand. As a result of this growth and given the current
industry forecast for the next twenty years, Piper Aircraft has identified a need for a new primary
trainer aircraft. One that incorporates the robust pedigree of a true training platform and at a price
point that can support the growing demand for pilots at training academies of all sizes.
The 2018 Boeing Pilot & Technician Outlook currently projects that 790,000 new civil aviation pilots
will be needed to fly the world fleet over the next 20 years. The forecast is inclusive of the commercial aviation and business aviation industries and stems from a mix of fleet growth, retirements,
and attrition.
"“Meeting the unprecedented demand with quality products can be enabled by combining Piper Aircraft’s vertically integrated production approach, simple aircraft designs, and working in the latest
technology with key vendors” said Piper President and CEO, Simon Caldecott. “We have identified
an opportunity for a new, primary, single engine training product that offers Piper durability at a
price point that a wide spectrum of training provider’s access real world training platforms. Future
professional pilots need professional training equipment as do all training programs. Flight training
at those levels is no place for a ‘light-sport’ anything,” he added.
Join us on April 2, 2019 at Sun-n-Fun in Lakeland, FL or on Facebook while we live stream the
announcement of Piper’s newest product."

It's a good idea... the 172 is what now, 350k ? And the G1000 way overkill for a trainer.

Barebone 2 seater Archer with G3X ?

It’s certainly another Archer with whatever glass panel suite the training schools want for the next few years.

Hard for me to get excited about a new panel in a 50 year old design.

It isn’t the panel that’s going to excite people, it’s the engine. It’s electric!

Stuart, are you sure? It sure looks like the curves of the cowling still have the round air inlets, and those wouldn't be necessary for an electric motor.

I don't think the airframe is well suited to it, either. When you look at the other electric airframes that are out there, they're all lightweight, low drag designs. That does not describe the Archer particularly well :-)

Looks like the standard cowling on the new Archer to me.
Just with dramatic lighting.

I have had the chance to meet Simon C from Piper. He is definitely an energetic leader with foresight for the company. Seems to be a person that would be easy to follow his vision and work for.
I guess that Tuesday will be day , and that we will have to wait and see.

It isn’t the panel that’s going to excite people, it’s the engine. It’s electric!

I'll put my ticket in the drawing:

They are bringing back the Comanche airframe. With modern engine/cowling, avionics, doors on both sides, and a center rear seat for observer/2nd student.

I know that's not it, but sure would be a nice size & capability.

Diesel engine for the European and Asian training market?

Dave

No green, but just a wild guess. I almost said diesel, but figured electric was more dramatic and forward-looking.

I do think the surprise is under the hood, though. Surely they wouldn't make such a fuss about a G3X Touch Cherokee 140.