Piper
Malibu Meridian
The turboprop Meridian has become a mainstay of the Piper fleet despite competition from both VLJs and turbo-powered pistons. The six-seat Meridian with its 500-hp PT6A-42A can reach 30,000 feet—well above piston ceilings. And its 260-knot cruise and relatively light fuel burn at altitude make it more efficient than VLJs. The Meridian is equipped with Avidyne Entegra glass panel avionics.
Cost: $1.9 million
Engine: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-42A, 500 shp
Length: 29 ft 7 in
Height: 11 ft 4 in
Wingspan: 43 ft 0 in
Seats: 6 (including pilot)
Max cruise speed: 265 KTAS @ FL250/fuel burn 269 pph
Max speed at max operating altitude: NA KTAS @ FL280 (RVSM)/fuel burn NA pph
Empty weight: 3,417 lb (typically equipped)
Max takeoff weight: 5,092 lb
Usable fuel: 170 gal/1,139 lb
Useful load: 1,717 lb
Max payload with full fuel: 578 lb
Takeoff over 50-foot obstacle: 2,438 ft (MGTOW @ sea level, std conditions)