Though it took two years of careful planning and effort, the museum is now home to the only jet aircraft ever made by the Piper Aircraft company — a proof of concept PA-47 PiperJet.

In order for the jet to finally find its home at the museum, many pieces had to fall into place.

Ron Dremel, board president of the Piper Aviation Museum, thanked everyone in attendance for coming to support the museum as they unveiled their newest addition.

“First and foremost (thank you) to Piper Aircraft who donated the jet and spent a considerable amount of money getting it refurbished, painted and sending engineers up here to help us put it back together. We have a great partnership (with them) in Vero Beach,” he said.

BREANNA HANLEY/THE EXPRESS A decal on the side of the PA-47 PiperJet shows details on the first flight.

Piper Historian Roger Peperell was the driving force behind persuading Piper Aircraft to donate the jet to the museum. They agreed to dismantle it and repaint it, and the museum arranged for it to be transported to Lock Haven.

“In about 2004-05, Piper Aircraft was purchased by another company. (They) needed to (get) into the Very Light Jet (VLJ) market. That started the project off. They gave it some criteria. It had to do 360 knots, it had to go 1,200 nautical miles in range and it had to carry four people with passengers. It achieved all of its objectives. By the time they got production ready, they decided to change the shape a bit and called it a new name. Unfortunately by 2011 the marketplace disappeared. The project was cancelled,” said Peperell.

There was only one PiperJet ever created, and Piper Aircraft retained ownership of it after cancellation. The jet was donated to the Florida Air Museum at Lakeland, and had sat outside in the harsh Florida weather for 14 years.

It is now displayed proudly inside the building, and away from any potential weather damage.

Dremel thanked the individuals who helped make this dream a reality, including volunteers Nils Mantzoros, Bill Harvey, Craig Kehrer, Clyde Smith, Frank Swinehart, Chris Logue and Justin Bryerton.

BREANNA HANLEY/THE EXPRESS Pictured is the interior of the PA-47 PiperJet.

According to Dremel, the Clinton County Community Foundation and the Clinton County Visitors Bureau were also huge supporters of this effort.

“(The Clinton County Community Foundation) gave us a sizable amount of money to get it up here. It was our responsibility to get it from Vero Beach to Lock Haven and we had to have special trucks and people. The Clinton County Visitors Bureau (also) gave us money to enable us to get it up here,” said Dremel.

Dremel also explained how one individual, Lee Gilbert, was instrumental in getting the plane put back together when it got to Lock Haven. Gilbert allowed them to use his hangar so the plane could be put together out of the rainy weather.

“It was raining cats and dogs, and we were going to have to assemble it outside. It was going to be an unpleasant job. He loaned us his hangar and made it a much smoother job,” said Dremel.

“We’ll look after (the jet),” Peperell assured, “I think it’s in the best place now. It looks great.”

BREANNA HANLEY/THE EXPRESS Ron Dremel, Piper Aviation Museum President, speaks to the crowd at the donation ceremony.

The Piper Aviation Museum is home to many different planes, and the PA-47 PiperJet is another addition to their “one of a kind” line up.

At the museum they have on display unique planes such as a PTI Primary Trainor, a PA-41 Aztec and a PA-29 Papoose.

Though not “one of a kind” they also have on display a PA-12 Super Cruiser that took a flight around the world in 1947. The sister plane to this one is currently on display at the Smithsonian.

Dremel’s personal goal is to get one of every model Piper Aircraft has manufactured in the last 70 years for display at the museum, and conversations are being had regarding an additional hangar being constructed.

PiperJet will aid the museum in their continuous mission to attract visitors to Clinton County to experience the most unique and comprehensive collection of Piper Aircraft in the world.

If you’d like to see these planes and more, the Piper Aviation Museum is open Wednesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

You can also visit www.pipermuseum.com or the Piper Aviation Museum Facebook page for more information.