Piper PA-46

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.

The M350 is the only pressurized piston engined airplane in current production, as of 2024, allowing it an extended range (1,343 nmi) versus the majority of its certified light aircraft peers in addition to a more comfortable cabin experience. It is recognized as one of the safest single-engines to fly by the airplane insurance industry.

FAA certification of the PA-46 Malibu came in 1983, and the aircraft family has seen continuous production for more than four decades since. An updated version of the Malibu called the Malibu Mirage (now M350) replaced its Continental engine with a more reliable (and powerful) Lycoming in 1988. Certification of a turboprop version called the Malibu Meridian (now M500) came in 2000. An unpressurized PA-46, the Matrix, was produced from 2008 to 2015. An extended range version of the M500, called the M600, began production in 2016. A high-performance version of the M600, the M700 Fury, was announced in February 2024.

Development
Work on the PA-46 began in the late 1970s, 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, a feature not included on the prototype.

PA-46-310P Malibu
The original Malibu was the third pressurized single-engine piston airplane in existence, after the Mooney M22 (1965–1970) and Cessna P210N/R Pressurized Centurion (1978–1986), but has remained in production far longer. 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. 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. 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 1550 nmi (with reserves), while the PA-46-350P initially had a maximum cruising range of only 1055 nmi, although this is now increased to 1345 nmi.

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

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.

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 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


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. 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 of fuel capacity, a larger tailplane and reinforced wing spar and landing gear to raise MTOW to 4,850 lb then 5,092 lb from 2003. For a 1,000 nmi trip, block fuel is 985 lb at 233 kn block speed, while its maximum cruise speed is 260 kn.

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 2024, is now referred to as the Piper M-Class. The M350, M500, M600 and the newest M700 make up the M-Class line.

M350
The M350 is an updated version of the Mirage and is recognized as one of the safest single-engines by the airplane insurance industry.

The M350 is fitted with the same 350 hp 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. 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 with a range of 1343 nmi. The plane has a service ceiling of 25000 ft. No wind, standard day gross weight takeoff is achieved in 1087 ft and landing in 1020 ft.

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. 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 gal and its Pratt & Whitney PT6A-42A engine burns 37 gal/h. It is a light plane with a maximum ramp weight of 5135 lb and 5092 lb MTOW. It cruises at 260 kn at an altitude of 30000 ft.

M600


In 2015, Piper introduced the M600 (company designation PA-46-600TP), as an upgrade to the M500. The M600 is powered by a 600 hp PT6A-42A engine. 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. It has anti-hypoxia tools like in the M350.

It received its FAA certification on June 18, 2016. Its NBAA Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) range is 1484 nmi, up from 1000 nmi for the M500, and maximum cruise speed is 274 kn, up from the M500's 260 kn. The M600's MTOW is 6000 lb, up from the M500's 5092 lb, with a 260 usgal fuel capacity, greater than the M500's 170 usgal. The M600's standard equipped weight is 200 lb higher than the M500's. Full-fuel payload for the M600 is 645 lb compared to 550 lb for the M500.

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 (56.3 usgal/hr) in the first hour, 300 lb (50 usgal/hr) the second hour and 200 lb thereafter, averaging 270 lb/hr (45 usgal) per hour.

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. Piper calls the technology "HALO". Offered for $170,000 including extra equipment, it provides access to more than 9,000 runways over 4,500 ft. Transport Canada granted approval for the HALO system on August 3, 2023.

M700 Fury
In 2024, Piper unveiled the M700 Fury (company designation PA-46-701TP) to replace the M600. The M700 is powered by a 700 hp PT6A-52 engine and retains the Garmin G3000 avionics and HALO system of its predecessor. The first production M700 was the 1,000th PA-46 produced. The M700 received FAA certification on February 29, 2024, with Piper announcing that deliveries would begin immediately thereafter.

PA-46R-350T Matrix
In October 2007 Piper announced the Matrix, an unpressurized version of the Mirage. The new model was designated as the PA-46R-350T, indicating retractable landing gear, 350 hp, and turbocharging.

Piper Aircraft marketed the Matrix as a cabin-class aircraft for Cirrus SR-22 and Cessna 400 owners to step up to. Standard equipment on the Matrix includes a built-in oxygen system, Avidyne Entegra glass cockpit, S-Tec 55X autopilot and air conditioning.

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

As with the Malibu Mirage, Matrix's powerplant is a turbocharged Lycoming TI0-540-AE2A producing 350 hp. The aircraft's performance includes a cruise speed of 215 kn at 25000 ft, 215 kn at 17500 ft and 188 kn at 12000 ft. Maximum takeoff weight is 4340 lb and an empty weight of 2937 lb giving a standard useful load of 1421 lb).

Matrix deliveries began in early 2008. Production ended in 2015.

JetPROP
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.

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 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 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. The prototype made its maiden hydrogen-powered flight at Cranfield Airport on September 24, 2020.

Accidents and incidents
, 225 accidents had been reported in the Aviation Safety Network wiki database, including 106 hull losses, causing 219 fatalities.

On 21 January 2019, a 1984 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 the flight had operated under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) at night, in poor weather conditions, despite the pilot having no training in night flying and a lack of recent practice in instrument flying; as well as possible carbon monoxide poisoning of the pilot with no working sensor on board. The plane was carrying Argentine footballer Emiliano Sala, who had been signed by Cardiff City from FC Nantes two days earlier. The plane's wreckage was discovered on the seabed of the English Channel on 3 February, and Sala was confirmed to be dead on 7 February.