Piper Meridien Questions

[ROARING RIMAU]

Howdy Guys and Gals,

I am considering my options for a turbo-prop and request any opinions, either good or bad, about the Meridien.

Any infor gratefully accepted.

RR

[Rich-Fine-Green]

Not sure of your timeline but for similar Money, take a look at the VLJs that are coming out.

- Eclipse (delivering now - albiet VFR only right now. tiny, tiny cabin).
- Diamond D-Jet (reasonable cabin - ballistic parachute)
- Cirrus Jet (no specs - but target $ is under US$1,000,000 - ballistic parachute).
- Piper Jet (big cabin - US$2,000,000).

All of the above are about the same $$ as a Meridian and cheaper than a TBM700/850.

I would suspect that the used price of Meridians and TBM700/850 will take an eventual hit as the VLJs roll out.

[ForkTailedDrKiller]

Don't know much about them, but I can dream!

A mate who has a TBM700 says he quickly discounted the Meridian because of payload/range issues.

So I guess it really depends on how wealthy you are, and(or) how tax deductable your flying is and exactly what you plan to do with it.

Personally I would find it hard to go past the TBM700/850 for personal transportation, and I could take into a lot of places that I suspect that VLJs won't go. More expensive than a Meridian - but built like a brick sh*thouse, to airliner standards.

I raced the TBM700 with my V35B from Alice to the Isa last year. The Bonanza trues 160 - the TBM700 is about twice that.

If I was looking to go jet, the Cessna Mustang would be top of my list - not really a VLJ but highly developed proven technology.

I was going to take the Bonanza to Broome in September, but I have been offered the RHS in the TBM700. Think I will just have to go check it out.

Dr

[Bevan666]

I'd also go the TBM-850. Single pilot, great load carrying, great range, good speed, lovely economics (compared to a jet). Going by others experiences etc, operating costs are around $700-800 per hour. Not bad for a 320knot pressurised aeroplane.

I just keep deferring my order after looking at the bank account!

Bevan..

[geeup]

Go a King Air.
They are value for money, can land at any strip and most airports have lames that can work on them.
And there are lots of accessaries you can get for the cockpit or cabin

[Islander Jock]

If I had the money and could afford either the Meridian or the TBM, the later would win hands down for the reasons already mentioned.

[ace4bar's girlfriend]

If I had the money I'd go the PC12!

[Wizofoz]

Just my impression, but while the TBMs and PC-12 are ground -up turbo props, the Meridian is basically a re-engined Malibu, and thats where the differences lie.

Do you even get that much of a premium in speed and range over a Piston Malibu-Mirage?

[tail wheel]

If I had the money and could afford either the Meridian or the TBM ... I'd take a Bex and a long lie down!

[Tiger 77]

I've seen a Buffalo advertised for US$1,200,000 just recently. Price includes plenty of spare parts.

I'd suggest that if you're looking for a comfortable, reliable turboprop for a fair price then this is the way to go.

Cheers,

Tiger.