Photograph:
Piper PA-46R-350T Matrix VH-SJM (c/n 46-9082) at the Australian International Airshow at Avalon, VIC (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Business and executive aircraft
Power Plant:
One 260 kw (350 hp) Lycoming TIO-540-AE2A six-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 13.11 m (43 ft)
- Length: 8.8 m (28 ft 9 in)
- Height: 3.4 m (11 ft 3 in)
- Wing area: 17 m² (175 sq ft)
- Max cruising speed at 7,600 m (25,000 ft): 398 km/h (247 mph)
- Cruising speed at 3,700 m (12,000 ft): 348 km/h (216 mph)
- Best rate of climb: 351 m/min (1,150 ft/min)
- Service ceiling: 7,620 m (25,000 ft)
- Take-off roll: 331 m (1,087 ft)
- Take-off distance over 15 m (50 ft) obstacle: 637 m (2,090 ft)
- Landing roll: 311 m (1,020 ft)
- Landing distance over 15 m (50 ft) obstacle: 600 m (1,968 ft)
- Range with 45 mins reserve: 2,491 km (1,548 miles)
- Empty weight: 1,332 kg (1,937 lb)
- Useful load: 645 kg (1,421 lb)
- Loaded weight: 1,970 kg (4,340 lb)
History:
Continuing its line of small to medium high-performance single-engine business and executive aircraft, in October 2007 Piper announced it was producing a new model of the Malibu series known initially as the Malibu Matrix but later becoming known as the Matrix. This new model was an unpressurised variant of the Mirage seating six persons, the name PA-46R-350T indicating it was fitted with a retractable undercarriage and turbo-charging. This model was developed to compete with the Cirrus SR-22 and Cessna 400 aircraft on the world aircraft market. The aircraft is described as having the largest cabin in its class.
The aircraft has as standard an oxygen system, an Avidyne Entera glass cockpit, an autopilot and air-conditioning. Options included a de-icing system, speed brakes etc. Power was provided by the twin turbo-charged Lycoming TIO-540-AE2A producing 260 kw (350 hp) driving a Hartzell HC-13YR.1E propeller. Deliveries of production aircraft began in 2008.
A number of examples have been registered in this part of the world, including VH-ZDJ (c/n 4692010 – ex A7-HJM, N345BR, N3092J) manufactured in 2008 and operated by Matilda Equipment Pty Ltd of Toowoomba, QLD; and VH-SOG4 (c/n 4692013 – ex N46MX) registered on 3 December 2010.
Others include: VH-SJM² (c/n 469082 – ex N61023) registered to S J Saunders on 14 March 2013; VH-NYG² (c/n 4692009 – ex N32FP, N9533N, N3091R) was registered to M Gibson of Dalby on 9 October 2012; VH-RCZ4 (c/n 4692133 – ex N637MM) was registered to D W Laughton of East Toowoomba on 3 December 2010; VH-UPY5 (c/n 4692011 – ex D-ETXC, N245MH, OK-BAC, N60974, [OK-BAC], N60974) registered to Matilda Equipment Pty Ltd on 30 August 2011; and VH-ZXJ (c/n 4692010 – ex N3092D) registered to St Louis Lifestyles Pty Ltd on 21 January 2015.