Piper PA-46 | |
|---|---|
| Country | USA |
| Role | Light aircraft |
| First flight | 30 November 1979 |
| Produced | 1979—present |
The Piper M–Class (PA–46; formerly called the Malibu, Malibu Mirage, Malibu Meridian, and Matrix) is a family of American light aircraft manufactured by Piper Aircraft of Vero Beach, Florida. The aircraft are powered by single engines and have six seats. Twentieth century production of the class was all piston engined (now M350; formerly Malibu, Malibu Mirage), but turboprop versions called the M500 (formerly Malibu Meridian), M600 and M700 (Fury) are now also available.
Source: Piper PA–46 on Wikipedia
| Piper PA-46-310P Malibu Walk Around | |
|---|---|
| Photographer | Vladimir Yakubov |
| Localisation | Pacific Coast Dream Machines 2011 |
| Photos | 62 |
See also:
General Characteristics
The Piper PA-46 is a family of high-performance, single-engine aircraft that introduced a pressurized cabin to the light piston aircraft market in the 1980s. The family includes the original Malibu (piston), the Mirage/M350 (piston, pressurized), and the Meridian/M500/M600 (turboprop) variants, now collectively known as the Piper M-Class.
| Property | Typical Value (PA-46-350P Mirage/M350) |
|---|---|
| Role | Pressurized Executive/Personal Transport |
| Manufacturer | Piper Aircraft, Inc. |
| First Flight (Initial) | November 30, 1979 |
| Crew | 1 pilot |
| Capacity | 5 passengers (6 total seats) |
| Wingspan | 13.11 m (43 ft 0 in) |
| Max Takeoff Weight | 1,950 kg (4,300 lb) |
Design and Powerplant (PA-46-350P / M350)
- Engine: Textron Lycoming TIO-540-AE2A six-cylinder, turbocharged, fuel-injected piston engine.
- Power Output: 261 kW (350 hp).
- Pressurization: Features an integrated digital cabin pressurization system, allowing the aircraft to cruise comfortably at high altitudes (up to 25,000 ft).
- Key Feature: The PA-46 was one of the first single-engine piston aircraft certified with a pressurized cabin, offering jet-like comfort and high-altitude efficiency.
- Construction: Conventional all-metal airframe with retractable tricycle landing gear.
- Access: Equipped with an airstair cabin door, enhancing the “mini-airliner” feel for passengers.
Performance and Variants
- Max Cruise Speed (M350): Up to 395 km/h (213 knots) at optimum altitude.
- Maximum Range (M350): Approximately 2,487 km (1,343 nautical miles) with reserves.
- Max Approved Altitude (M350): 7,620 m (25,000 ft).
- Major Piston Variant: PA-46-310P Malibu (Original model, 310 hp Continental engine, produced 1983–1988).
- Turboprop Variants (M-Class):
- PA-46-500TP Meridian / M500: 500 shp Pratt & Whitney PT6A turboprop engine, 30,000 ft ceiling.
- PA-46-600TP M600/SLS: 600 shp PT6A turboprop, increased fuel capacity, new wing design, and Garmin G3000 avionics with Autoland capability (SLS models).
- Avionics: Modern variants (M-Class) are equipped with the sophisticated Garmin G1000 NXi or G3000 integrated flight decks, which include advanced safety features like Electronic Stability Protection (ESP) and Underspeed Protection (USP).
Views : 197
