By Jessica Tuggle
jtuggle@hometownnewsol.com
VERO BEACH - All of 2012 has been a year of celebration for Piper Aircraft and Nov. 9-11, the 75th anniversary party will finish it with an aviation extravaganza.
That weekend, more than 50 airplanes - the majority of them Piper models - will descend from the skies to the ground in Vero Beach as owners and other special invited guests come to visit.
The fly-in weekend celebration is not open to the public, however, the view of the planes landing or taking off from CJ Cannons restaurant will be excellent, said Jackie Carlon, Piper spokeswoman.
"About 22 are scheduled to fly in mass on Friday," she said.
Various airshows open to the public have been a part of the celebration throughout the year, Vero Beach's Aviation Day included, Ms. Carlon said.
"So many people have wanted to be a part of this momentous occasion," she said.
Piper Aircraft is one of the few aviation companies that have managed to profitable in these difficult economic times by making strict and difficult financial decisions, Ms. Carlon said.
Last year the company was profitable and this year is on track to be so again, she said.
Overnight guests to the area for the celebration will be treated to a welcome reception, vendor exhibits, aircraft displays, tours and more.
There are an estimated 80,000 Piper planes still being used all over the world, so the Piper family is quite large, she said.