VERO BEACH — The curved piece of metal resting in a largely empty building may not seem that impressive, but what it represents for the future of Piper Aircraft Inc. is enormous.
"It's not a big piece," said longtime employee Craig Clayton, "but it's pretty big to us."
The piece of metal that was first drilled and riveted Friday is the first major piece of the conforming model of the Piper Altaire business jet.
The equipment it resides in is one of a number of tools gradually being put into place in the factory that will be used for building six conforming models of the jet. Four of the models will be used in flight testing; two will stay on the ground for load and stress-testing.
Piper's owners are spending millions of dollars to equip the building for use in the manufacture of the Altaire. The first delivery, to Texas businessman Fred Underwood, is expected to be made in 2014.
The $2.6 million single-engine jet, capable of carrying a pilot and six passengers, will be able to travel up to 1,200 nautical miles at a maximum cruising speed of 414 mph.
Clayton, who has been with Piper since 1977 and now serves as the integrated product team leader, said, "This is the first time we've invested in this kind of high-quality tooling."
For instance, Clayton estimated the piece of assembly drill jig where the piece of the Altaire rested Friday costs $30,000 to $40,000.
New toolboxes also have arrived and a wireless system is being installed that will enable workers to have wireless laptops at their work stations. Clayton and company spokeswoman Jackie Carlon said a number of workers from other areas of the company are expressing a desire to be a part of the team building the jet.
"I think everybody wants to be part of something new and exciting," said Carlon.
At the rear of the building, a separate 24,000-square-foot structure is under construction that will be used in bonding the parts of the aircraft together.
"The goal is to bond the first wing assembly in November," said Clayton.
The company is employing a local firm to build the bonding facility, Summit Construction Management of Vero Beach, which is the same firm that upgraded the main manufacturing structure for the Altaire.
"There's a lot of money being spent throughout the community in my opinion," said Clayton.
Part of the $4 million of incentive money from the county and $6.7 million from the state in 2008 was used in upgrading the manufacturing building and ensuring it meets current hurricane standards, but that money is gone now. Piper's new parent company is providing the money needed to continue with the design and construction of the Altaire. Imprimis, a corporate finance and investment management firm, in conjunction with the Ministry of Finance of Brunei, acquired the company in 2009.
While Clayton praised the new equipment coming in now, he also noted that the restored building where the Altaire is being built was referred to as the "factory of the future" before it was damaged in the 2004 hurricanes.
"That building was a gorgeous showroom just before the hurricanes and it's going to be nice to see it that way again," said Clayton.
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