I, too, am captivated by this design. I wrote to them in December for more information and expected pricing. Here is the reply I received from Mr. Igor Perkon:
Thank you for contacting us about the new Pipistrel Panthera aircraft. My apologize for the delay in answering, but we had the joy to welcome our first child in the family and it required a couple of weeks off work. The Panthera was designed to offer a superior airplane that features state-of-the-art aerodynamics efficiency, great comfort and high performance. Its extremely low fuel consumption will allow you to fly lighter and faster - with the Pipistrel Panthera you can use shorter runways, climb better, go further and overall enjoy much lower operating costs than similar aircraft.
The Panthera also provides comfort that is second to none. Have you experienced the 3D interactive high-resolution photographs on the Pipistrel Panthera website ? Check
www.panthera-aircraft.com then select "Gallery" for a complete cockpit tour. With only a single central pillar you have an unobstructed view in every direction throughout your flight. Flying in the Panthera you have a real feeling that you dominate the landscape.
The Lycoming powered version of Panthera is offered either as experimental (in-factory assist built) or CS-23 certified aircraft. The experimental version is offered in two avionics configurations, one based around the Dynon Skyview SV1000 system and the other with the Garmin G500 system. The CS-23 certified version is equipped with the Garmin G500 glass cockpit. All Pantheras’ feature dual COM, NAV, dual IFR- GPS by using two Garmin GTS series touchscreen displays, a set of backup instruments and digital control of cabin air-conditioning, even the parachute rescue system comes standard.
The pricing with pick-up at the factory is 335,000 EUR for the experimental with the Dynon avionics, 355,000 EUR for the experimental with Garmin G500 and 395,000 EUR for the CS-23 certified version. Of course your Panthera can be delivered directly to your home airfield for a nominal fee. Our pricing policy is to included everything in the base price and not charge you for every little extra part and accessory, therefore the prices above include type endorsement and all available equipment options, including the personalized interiors specially crafted for your airplane by the same company that makes the interiors of Bugatti, Porsche and Ferrari sport cars.
If you would like to know more details about the Panthera design and our passion for making great airplanes, please check these videos recorded during the unveiling of the prototype at AERO2012:
Pipistrel Panthera Unveiled:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cODrRSEF3W8&feature=related
Pipistrel-Panthera 4-seater aircraft NEW:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gApX-cAYMs&feature=youtu.be
Pipistrel Panthera:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsPvswhcqlA&feature=related
Pipistrel Panthera:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3G1oSRuuU-g&feature=youtu.be
Pipistrel Panthera Composite Infomation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZE5BU5L7BqY&feature=youtu.be
Pipistrel Panthera - Aerodynamics and other ramblings:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4PbMnzWYk0&feature=youtu.be
We have almost completed the on-ground structural tests before the taking to the skies on the first flight. Thanks to the feedback and wishes received from our customers and from passionate pilots just like you, we have gained new insight into your exact ideas and requirements. Forgive me please for not being allowed to disclose to you the list of improvements but some of these ideas are so exciting that we decided to start implementing the modifications already on the prototype aircraft, even at the cost of delaying the first flight. We know that these small improvements will make the Panthera an incredible aircraft to fly and to own.
Customer deliveries begin in 2013, where we are proud to say that many pilots have already selected the Panthera as the airplane that will substitute their existing aircraft. With the current orders, the first available production slots for the certified version are in the second quarter of 2016, while for the experimental we have positions for deliveries in the third quarter 2015. To accommodate the certified production a new 10,000 sqm. environmentally green facility is already under construction in Italy just 15 kms (10 miles) from our existing facility.
The ordering procedure is very simple: to reserve the production position for a Panthera, we require the advance payment of 10% of the aircraft price. This payment fixes the order, delivery time and also the end price of the aircraft, regardless of price rises occurring in the period before your delivery. Now is the time to order a Panthera!
Rewarding our launch customers, Pipistrel offers the following special conditions (cut&paste from the contract):
To protect the customer’s deposit, both parties agree that the customer will first test fly the aircraft demonstrator. Should the customer not be satisfied with the performance or with the aircraft in general, the customer can cancel the order entirely. In this case Pipistrel will return the advance payment within 14 days after having received the written order cancellation. The deposit will be returned with 4% yearly interests.
We expect our customers to be totally satisfied with the Panthera, but if Pipistrel cannot meet the promised delivery time, both parties can agree to a new delivery time and the renegotiate conditions acceptable for both parties. If the customer is not happy with the new delivery time Pipistrel will return the advance payment with interest with 4% interest.
With more than 1000 aircraft delivered in the past 25 years I can assure you that owning a Panthera is the best way to join our "Pipistrel family".
I would appreciate to hear back from you with any comments and suggestions because during the development phase improvements can be made. We care about your opinion, because it helps us to design better aircraft.
With kind regards
Igor Perkon
P.S. I run a personal mailing list for the Panthera news, you can subscribe at
http://eepurl.com/lgSXj
