Photograph:
Piper PA-46-500TP Meridian VH-TPM (c/n 46-87089) at Tamworth, NSW in September 2010 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Turboprop business and executive aircraft
Power Plant:
One 370 kw (500 shp) Pratt & Whitney PT6A-42A turboprop
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 13.10 m (43 ft)
- Length: 9.02 m (29 ft 7¼ in)
- Height: 3.45 m (11 ft 4 in)
- Wing area: 16.25 m² (175 sq ft)
- Max cruising speed at 9,150 m (30,000 ft): 485 km/h (302 mph)
- Max rate of climb at sea level: 421 m/min (1,380 ft/min)
- Max certified altitude: 9,150 m (30,000 ft)
- Max range at 9,150 m (30,000 ft) at max cruise power with 45 mins reserves: 1,981 km (1,231 miles)
- Empty weight: 1,490 kg (3,285 lb)
- Loaded weight: 2,219 kg (4,892 lb)
History:
The Malibu Meridian was launched in 1997 at the National Business Aviation Association Convention in Dallas, Texas where a fuselage mockup was displayed. The prototype (N400PT) was rolled out on 13 August and it made its first flight on 21 August 1998. Four prototypes were built for the flight-test programme, and certification and customer deliveries began in 2000.
A development of the Malibu, the Meridian is fitted with a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-42A turboprop thermodynamically rated at 902 kw (1,209 shp) and flat-rated at 298 kw (400 shp) for take-off driving a three-blade Hartzell constant-speed reversible propeller. Annual production of the type was 60 aircraft. Although the wingspan was unchanged from that of the Mirage, leading-edge gloves were added to increase the area and reduce the stalling speed. The wing structure was strengthened to cope with higher loads and speeds. Fuel capacity was increased to 645 litres (142 Imp gals). The cockpit was pressurised and cabin structure was virtually unchanged. A new environmental control and air-conditioning system was installed and the electrical system upgraded.
First example of this model seen in this area was VH-TPM³ (c/n 46-87089) imported by Piper Aircraft Sales and registered in July 2001, later going to SGE International of Ringwood, VIC, later again being registered to Harris Equipment Pty Ltd of Georgetown, QLD. Other aircraft registered include VH-UMY² (c/n 46-97165) registered on 4 September 2008 to Years to Build Pty Ltd of Bellevue Hill, NSW and operated by Little Wings of Baulkham Hills, NSW. VH-NKW (c/n 46-97335) was registered on 1 April 2015 to Atkinson’s Tomatoes Pty Ltd of Griffith, NSW.
ZK-OLY (c/n 46-97275 – ex N598C [N225H] N598C, N1042H) was imported to New Zealand and based at Feilding for a period but was exported to Australia in May 2013 where it became VH-ULY on 13 June 2013. It was later registered as VH-WME² to AJ Wheeler Investments Pty Ltd of Bowral, NSW.