PA-46 / M-Class
PA-46-500TP Malibu Meridian
Role Light aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Piper Aircraft
First flight 30 November 1979
Status In production
Produced 1979-present

The Piper PA-46 Malibu and Matrix, now known as the M-Class, are a family of American light aircraft manufactured by Piper Aircraft of Vero Beach, Florida. The aircraft is powered by a single engine and has the capacity for one pilot and five passengers. Early Malibus were all piston-engined, but a turboprop version, introduced as the Malibu Meridian but now called the M500, is also available.[1] Currently, Piper offers the M350, M500, and M600 in the PA-46 family.[2]

The PA-46 was the third single-engined piston aircraft with a pressurized cabin to reach the market, after the Mooney M22 and Cessna P210 Centurion, and is the only one still in production.

Development

Work on the PA-46 began in the late 1970s,[3] with a prototype (the PA-46-300T) first flying on November 30, 1979. The type was announced in November 1982, apparently to compete with Cessna's newest creation of the era, the P210 Centurion. Like the Centurion, the Malibu was to feature cabin pressurization 5.5 psi (380 hPa), a feature not included on the prototype.

Variants

PA-46-310P Malibu

PA-46-310P Malibu

The first example of the initial production version flew in August 1982, and FAA certification was obtained in September 1983. Deliveries started two months later.[4] 404 aircraft with Continental TSIO-520 engines were built before this model was replaced in production by the PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage.

The PA-46-310P is powered by a Continental TSIO-520BE engine rated at 310 hp (230 kW). The PA-46-310P has lower fuel consumption, greater range, and the ability to cruise at "lean-of-peak." The PA-46-310P has a maximum cruising range of 1,550 nmi (2,870 km) (with reserves), while the PA-46-350P initially had a maximum cruising range of only 1,055 nautical miles (1,954 km), although this is now increased to 1,345 nautical miles (2,491 km).[5]

The PA-46-310P Malibu has set several world speed records: Seattle to New York set November 23, 1987 at 259.27 mph (417 km/h); Detroit to Washington, DC set January 4, 1989 at 395.96 mph (637 km/h); and Chicago to Toronto set on January 8, 1989, at 439.13 mph (707 km/h). All three records were set by Steve Stout in his 1986 Malibu N9114B.[6]

The Continental TSIO-520-BE powered Malibu was discontinued in 1988 following a series of incidents and accidents attributed to engine failures. One such accident resulted in a settlement in which Teledyne Continental Motors paid $32,125,000 to a pilot injured in the crash of a Malibu.[7]

PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage

PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage

Production of the Malibu Mirage commenced in October 1988 for the 1989 model year. New features included a more powerful Lycoming TIO-540-AE2A 350 hp (260 kW) engine and a new wing. Various changes have occurred over the model years. Earlier models had an all-King panel and later this became largely Garmin, the Garmin G1000 glass cockpit is now standard.

In 1995, the pilot's windshield became a glass assembly (earlier it had been acrylic glass with a heat strip overlay). In 1996, numerous switches were moved to an overhead console. In 1999, the Mirage gained the strengthened wing designed for the turboprop Meridian.

PA-46-500TP Malibu Meridian

Piper PA-46-500TP Malibu Meridian

In 1997, Piper announced its intention to market a turboprop-powered version of the Malibu, and flew a prototype the following year powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-42A of 500 shp (370 kW). Certification was achieved in September 2000 and deliveries began in November that year. Changes made to allow for turboprop power include larger wings and tail surfaces. In 2009, Piper began offering the Meridian with a three-screen version of the Garmin G1000 including the Garmin GFC 700 autopilot as a replacement for the Avidyne Entegra system.

Piper added wing root filets to increase wing area and 342 lb (155 kg) of fuel capacity, a larger tailplane and reinforced wing spar and landing gear to raise MTOW to 4,850 lb (2,200 kg) then 5,092 lb (2,310 kg) from 2003. For a 1,000 nmi (1,900 km) trip, block fuel is 985 lb (447 kg) at 233 kn (432 km/h) block speed, while its maximum cruise speed is 260 kn (480 km/h).[8]

Piper M-Class

Piper Aircraft no longer refers to their top-of-the-line aircraft with the names Malibu, Malibu Mirage or Malibu Meridian. The PA-46 line of aircraft, as of 2015, is now referred to as the Piper M-Class. The M350, M500 and the newest M600 make up the entire M-Class line.

M350

M350

The M350 is an updated version of the Mirage. The M350 is fitted with the same 350 hp (261 kW) turbocharged Lycoming TIO-540-AE2A engine and Hartzell three-bladed propeller as the Mirage. Improvements over the Mirage are an Ametek digital fuel quantity system and an improved Garmin G1000 NXi flight system. The new Garmin system has envelope-protection and anti-hypoxia tools.[9] It will initiate an emergency descent in the case that the pilot becomes incapacitated as a result of hypoxia. The M350 is capable of cruising at 213 kn (394 km/h) with a range of 1,343 nmi (2,487 km). The plane has a service ceiling of 25,000 ft (7,620 m). No wind, standard day gross weight takeoff is achieved in 1,087 ft (331 m) and landing in 1,020 ft (311 m).[10][11]

M500

The M500 is an updated version of the Meridian. It also has the updated Garmin G1000 NXi flight system, like the M350. The G1000 NXi system includes an automatic wings-level function and control override to prevent exceeding the plane's flight envelope. Its purpose is to maintain a safe, stable flight condition in the case of pilot disorientation or incapacitation.[12] The safety feature is called Electronic Stability and Protection (ESP). The M500 also has ADS-B, but no FADEC. The M500's fuel tanks can carry 170 US gal (644 L) and its Pratt & Whitney PT6A-42A engine burns 37 US gal/h (140 L/h).[13] It is a light plane with a maximum ramp weight of 5,135 lb (2,329 kg) and 5,092 lb (2,310 kg) MTOW. It cruises at 260 kn (482 km/h) at an altitude of 30,000 ft (9,144 m).

M600

Piper M600

In 2015, Piper introduced the M600, as an upgrade to the M500. The M600 has 600 hp (447 kW). The new M600 is equipped with the Garmin G3000, a new wing and more fuel capacity. The aircraft is more capable than the M500, as the M600 has greater range and a slightly higher top speed.[14] It has anti-hypoxia tools like in the M350.[15]

It received its FAA certification on June 18, 2016. Its NBAA Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) range is 1,484 nmi (2,748 km), up from 1,000 nmi (1,852 km) for the M500, and maximum cruise speed is 274 kn (507 km/h; 315 mph), up from the M500's 260 kn (480 km/h; 300 mph). The M600's MTOW is 6,000 lb (2,700 kg), up from the M500's 5,092 lb (2,310 kg), with a 260 US gal (980 L) fuel capacity, greater than the M500's 170 US gal (640 L). The M600's standard equipped weight is 200 lb (91 kg) higher than the M500's. Full-fuel payload for the M600 is 645 lb (293 kg) compared to 550 lb (250 kg) for the M500.[16]

Between June 2016 and March 2018, 50 have been delivered, mostly in the U.S. and mostly are owner-flown. It offers nearly the range of the TBM 900 for much less cost, and can operate from shorter runways than very light jets like the Eclipse 500 or the Citation Mustang. It burns 350 lb (160 kg) (56.3 usgal/hr) in the first hour, 300 lb (140 kg) (50 usgal/hr) the second hour and 200 lb (91 kg) thereafter, averaging 270 lb/hr (45 US gal (170 L)) per hour.[17]

Starting in 2020, Piper offered an emergency autoland system by Garmin, which initiates at the push of a button. Built into the G3000 integrated avionics for the new SLS model, the system will be a first in general aviation, along with the Cirrus Vision Jet.[18] Piper calls the technology "HALO".[19] Offered for $170,000 including extra equipment, it provides access to more than 9,000 runways over 4,500 ft (1,400 m).[20] Transport Canada granted approval for the HALO system on August 3, 2023.[21]

PA-46R-350T Matrix

PA-46R-350T Matrix

In October 2007 Piper announced the Matrix, an unpressurized version of the Mirage. The new model has been designated as the PA-46R-350T, indicating retractable landing gear, 350 horsepower (260 kW), and turbocharging.[22]

Piper Aircraft is marketing the Matrix as a cabin-class aircraft for Cirrus SR-22 and Cessna 400 owners to step up to.[22][23]

Standard equipment on the Matrix includes a built-in oxygen system, Avidyne Entegra glass cockpit, S-Tec 55X autopilot and air conditioning.[23]

Major options on the Matrix are a de-ice system, an "Enhanced Situational Awareness Package", speed brakes, an avionics package featuring the Avidyne TAS610 dual antenna traffic advisory system,[23] GWX-68 Weather Radar, and, beginning in 2010, the Garmin G1000 avionics system with twin 10" PFD's and a 15" MFD.

The Matrix's powerplant is a turbocharged Lycoming TI0-540-AE2A producing 350 hp (260 kW).[24] The aircraft's performance includes a cruise speed of 215 knots (398 km/h) at 25,000 feet (7,600 m), 215 knots (398 km/h) at 17,500 feet (5,300 m) and 188 knots (348 km/h) at 12,000 feet (3,700 m).[23] Maximum takeoff weight is 4,340 lb (1,969 kg) and an empty weight of 2,937 lb (1,332 kg) giving a standard useful load of 1,421 lb (645 kg)).[24]

Matrix deliveries began in early 2008.[23]

JetPROP

PA-46-350P Jetprop DLX turbine conversion

The JetPROP is an aftermarket turbine engine conversion for the PA-46-310P Malibu and PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage offered by Rocket Engineering of Spokane, WA. Originally certified in 1998 as the JetPROP DLX with a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34 engine, conversions 90 and above used the P&W PT6A-35, after the -34 was discontinued. A lower cost JetPROP DL version became available in October 2003 utilizing the P&W PT6A-21. As of September 2008, 233 JetPROP conversions had been delivered. Twenty percent of the entire PA-46 fleet have been converted.[25]

ZeroAvia HyFlyer

ZeroAvia, a Cranfield University partner, is a U.S./UK startup developing a Hydrogen fuel cell power train targeting to halve a turbine operating costs. It flight-tests a pair of 130 kW (170 hp) electric motors replacing the piston engine of a Piper Malibu Mirage in California. In September 2019, the UK government granted £2.7 million ($3.3 million) for its HyFlyer demonstrator, culminating in a 250–300 nmi (460–560 km) flight using hydrogen fuel cells. Other partners, including the Orkney Isles-based EMEC, Cranfield Aerospace Solutions, and fuel-cell developer Intelligent Energy should match this funding.[26] The prototype made its maiden hydrogen-powered flight at Cranfield Airport on September 24, 2020.[27]

Production

PA-46 Shipments since 2000[28]
Model / Year 2000[29]2001[30]200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016[31]2017[32]20182019[33]2020[34]2021[35]2022[36] Totals
M600 ––––-–––––––––––22353824363941 235
M500/Malibu Meridian 1898252426404953522925323234362712121820779 695
M350/Malibu Mirage 6310197151131302172633494237342692021151919 564
Matrix ––––––––101332317121611200–---- 215
All 81108443141518083 17469748293928463 60567665586569 1699

Accidents and incidents

As of January 2019, 225 accidents had been reported in the Aviation Safety Network wiki database, including 106 hull losses, causing 219 fatalities.[37] Hull losses represent 9% of the 1177 PA-46s produced from 2002 through 2017.

On 21 January 2019, a PA-46-310P travelling from Nantes Atlantique Airport, France, to Cardiff Airport, Wales, crashed into the water off Alderney in the English Channel. Britain's Air Accidents Investigation Branch found there had been operational irregularities and probable carbon monoxide poisoning of the pilot. The plane was carrying Argentine footballer Emiliano Sala, who had been signed by Cardiff City from FC Nantes two days earlier.[38] The plane's wreckage was discovered on the seabed of the English Channel on 3 February,[39] and Sala was confirmed to be dead on 7 February.[40]

Specifications

3-view line drawing of the Piper PA-46-310P Malibu
3-view line drawing of the Piper PA-46-310P Malibu
Cockpit of an M600/SLS, equipped with Autoland button above the right Primary flight display
Model Matrix[41] M350[42] M500[43] M600[44]
Seating 6
Cabin Volume 201 cu ft (5.7 m3)
Pressurization 0 5.6 psi (390 hPa)
Wingspan 43.0 ft / 13.11 m 43.16 ft / 13.15 m
Length 28.11 ft / 8.6 m 29.6 ft / 9.02 m 29.7 ft / 9.05 m
Height 11.3 ft / 3.44 m
MTOW 4,340 lb / 1,969 kg 5,092 lb / 2,310 kg 6,000 lb / 2,721 kg
OEW 3,003 lb / 1,362 kg 3,050 lb / 1,383 kg 3,436 lb / 1,559 kg 3,650 lb / 1,656 kg
Fuel Capacity 120 USgal / 454 L 170 USgal / 644 L 260 USgal / 984 L
Constant-speed propeller 3 blade 4 blade feathering, reversible
Engine Lycoming TIO-540-AE2A Pratt & Whitney PT6A-42A
Power 350 hp (260 kW) 500 hp (370 kW) 600 hp (450 kW)
Maximum cruise 213 kt / 395 km/h 260 ktas / 482 km/h 274 ktas / 507 km/h
Ceiling 25,000 ft / 7,620 m 30,000 ft / 9,144 m
Range (45 minute reserve) 1,343 nm / 2,487 km 1,000 nm / 1,852 km 1,484 nm / 2,668 km
Takeoff (50 ft obstacle) 2,090 ft / 637 m 2,438 ft / 743 m 2,635 ft / 803 m
Landing (50 ft obstacle) 1968 ft / 600 m 2,110 ft / 643 m 2,659 ft / 810 m

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

  1. ↑ Federal Aviation Administration (October 2010). "Type Certificate Data Sheet No. A25SO" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 21, 2011. Retrieved March 14, 2011.
  2. ↑ "Piper Launches New M600 and M350 Models". April 2015. Retrieved January 16, 2019.
  3. ↑ Goyer, Robert (August 4, 2011). "Piper Malibu: A New Airplane for a New Day". Flying. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  4. ↑ "Piper PA-46 Light Sport Aircraft". Aerospace technology. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  5. ↑ "Aircraft Information: Piper PA-46 Malibu/Malibu Mirage". Airliners.net.
  6. ↑ "Magazine" (PDF). Malibu/Mirage Owners & Pilots Association. May 1992. pp. 10–11.
  7. ↑ "$32,125,000 Settlement - O'Reilly Collins - Nationwide Personal Injury Lawyers". September 27, 2010. Archived from the original on September 27, 2010. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  8. ↑ Fred George (April 22, 2019). "Piper Meridian: Cheapest High-Performance Single-Engine Turboprop" (PDF). Business & Commercial Aviation. p. 66. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 27, 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  9. ↑ "Piper Launches Three New M-Class Models, Including a New Turboprop". avweb.com. Aviation Publishing Group. April 13, 2015. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Specs & Performance – Piper". Piper.com. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Piper Launches M600 and M350". Flyingmag.com. April 14, 2015. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  12. ↑ "New Meridian: Piper updates pressurized turbine single". AOPA. January 27, 2015.
  13. ↑ Robert Goyer (April 6, 2015). "We Fly: Piper Meridian M500". Flying.
  14. ↑ Whitfield, Bethany (April 14, 2015). "Piper Launches M600 and M350". Flying.
  15. ↑ "Video: Piper's New M600 Shows at Sun 'n Fun". avweb. April 21, 2015.
  16. ↑ Matt Thurber (June 20, 2016). "Piper M600 Receives FAA Certification". Aviation International News.
  17. ↑ Fred George (March 23, 2018). "Piper M600: Sweet Spot On The Price Vs. Performance Curve". Business & Commercial Aviation.
  18. ↑ Anglisano, Larry (October 30, 2019). "Garmin's New Emergency Autoland". AVweb.
  19. ↑ "Piper Announces New M600 SLS". Piper. October 30, 2019. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  20. ↑ Fred George (October 30, 2019). "Flying Garmin's New Emergency Autoland". Business & Commercial Aviation.
  21. ↑ Phelps, Mark (August 8, 2023). "Piper M600/SLS HALO Autoland Now Approved In Canada". AVweb. Archived from the original on August 9, 2023. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
  22. 1 2 Robert Goyer: "Piper Matrix" Flying March 2008, page 56. Hachette Filipacchi Media USA Inc.
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 Flying Editors: "Matrix: Cabin-Class Comfort for Less" Flying. January 2008, page 19. Hachette Filipacchi Media USA Inc.
  24. 1 2 Piper Aircraft (n.d.). "Matrix Price & Standard Equipment". Archived from the original on December 13, 2007. Retrieved December 13, 2007.
  25. ↑ JetPROP, LLC (2008). "About JetPROP". Archived from the original on October 11, 2008. Retrieved September 13, 2008.
  26. ↑ Tony Osborne (September 30, 2019). "The Week In Technology, Sept. 30-Oct. 4, 2019". Aviation Week & Space Technology.
  27. ↑ Broadbent, Mark (November 2020). "ZeroAvia's historic hydrogen flight". Air International. Vol. 99, no. 5. p. 7. ISSN 0306-5634.
  28. ↑ "General aviation statistical databook & 2016 industry outlook" (PDF). General aviation manufacturers association. 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 7, 2016.
  29. ↑ "General Aviation Shipment Report 2000" (PDF). GAMA. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  30. ↑ "Revised General Aviation Shipment Report 2001" (PDF). GAMA. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  31. ↑ "General Aviation Shipment Report 2016" (PDF). GAMA. Retrieved February 24, 2018.
  32. ↑ "General Aviation Shipment Report 2017" (PDF). GAMA. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2018. Retrieved February 24, 2018.
  33. ↑ "General Aviation Shipment Report 2019" (PDF). GAMA. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  34. ↑ "General Aviation Shipment Report 2020" (PDF). GAMA. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  35. ↑ "General Aviation Shipment Report 2021" (PDF). GAMA. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  36. ↑ "General Aviation Shipment Report 2022" (PDF). GAMA. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  37. ↑ "Database results: PA46". Aviation Safety Network. January 22, 2019.
  38. ↑ "ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 220997". Aviation Safety Network. January 21, 2019.
  39. ↑ "Emiliano Sala: Missing Premier League footballer's plane found". MSN. February 4, 2019. Archived from the original on February 4, 2019. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  40. ↑ "Emiliano Sala: Body identified as footballer". BBC News. February 7, 2019. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  41. ↑ "Matrix Specifications & performance". Piper.
  42. ↑ "M350 Specifications & performance". Piper.
  43. ↑ "M500 Specifications & performance". Piper.
  44. ↑ "M600 Specifications & performance". Piper.
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