Piper Aircraft has gained European Aviation Safety Agency certification for its M350 piston single, opening the way for the $1.1 million aircraft to enter service on the continent.

Powered by a Lycoming TIO-540-AE2A 350shp (260kW) engine, allowing a maximum cruise speed of 213kt (395km/h) at up to 25,000ft, the M350 also features a Garmin G1000 digital avionics suite.

“The Piper M350 is the only current-production pressurised piston-engined aircraft now on the market, making type certification by EASA an important achievement,” says Simon Caldecott, the chief executive of Piper Aircraft.

“The single-engined aircraft is a key part of our focus on product improvement and offers the advanced safety features that set our aircraft apart and gives our customers peace of mind.”

The M350 is also equipped with emergency descent mode which automatically drops the aircraft to lower levels if the pilot is incapacitated at altitudes wher oxygen is required.