thinking of moving from my 58 to one

Disregard

Probably get flamed for this but they scare the heck out of me. Way too many inflight break ups and issues as a group. Can’t legally carry anything with full fuel.

Mike

Fast, efficient’are some pro’s. Cons, not much full fuel useful load, possibly under-supported now that Rocket has slowed down and not doing the conversion anymore. Probably a little under-built for the power. If you could swing it, would definitely consider the Meridian, but JP pilots love their birds. A malibu on steroids.

Disregard

I've got about 400 hours in a JetProp.

Happy to chat directly if you'd like.

Feel free to PM for a call.

R

Joe Casey of of Joe Casey Aviation has written a lot about them and knows a ton about the line:

https://flycasey.com/thinking-of-buying-a-jetprop/

Take a peek at his website and blog.

Joe is also a very good broker, and an upstanding human. Would consider him for any PA46 variant.

Tall son of a biscuit eater as well, and instructs from the right seat in all PA46 variants, if anyone wants to talk techniques or wives tales about getting in these aircraft.

Ran into him in Grand Cayman a month ago.

Insurability on all TP conversions is somewhat limited.

You did not ask for a comparison with the Meridian but any discussion of JetProp must include the comparison.

JetProp is a great airplane with plus and minus versus Meridian. The JetProp is based on the small case PT6. The physically smaller engine allows the front baggage compartment to remain which is a big advantage. The smaller engine burns less fuel for a given amount of torque. Both the Meridian and JetProp/35 are similar speeds. The lighter JetProp climbs very fast at lower altitudes. You can pull 4000 fpm if you wish.

The physically larger Meridian engine fills the space so there is no front baggage. The engine is capable of more power but is limited/de-rated to 500hp so it can make full rated torque at virtually any altitude and temp the aircraft is allowed. The JetProp is limited to FL250 both in certification and as a practical matter by how much power it can make at altitude.

The Meridian holds more fuel but the difference in burn means the JetProp can go farther. That said a JetProp with full extended range has a useful load of about 300 lbs depending on the specific aircraft. If you own a JetProp you basically resign yourself to flying a bit over gross even with two people and bags. If you leave out fuel to make the range equal to Meridian the two aircraft hold about the same cargo. The JetProp has a front cargo compartment but no weight capacity to use it.

The Meridian wing is simply stronger. It’s not just the stronger spar that came with the 1999 and newer Mirage (I think). The Meridian wing has more chord and depth for fuel capacity. It resulted in a stronger wing that rides better in turbulence. The difference is significant.

The JetProp has a typical PT6 air scoop for ram air. When you open the ice door Ram air goes away so you lose some torque when you need it. The airplane still climbs well into the teens. In the 20s with ice door open you lose some performance.

With the derated engine the Meridian can afford to have the ice bypass open all the time which is how and why Piper built it that way. There is nothing to control. The JetProp guys will say Piper left free power on the table by not having ram air but that is not true. The Meridian can already make max power without the ram so there is nothing to gain. Ram air on the JetProp helps because the engine is not making max certified power at altitude without it.

The original JetProp were all the /34 engine. Later they offered the /21 or /35. All three are physically similar. The difference is temp limits. If your mission is in the teens for altitude (think basic med) the cheaper /21 is compelling at those altitudes all three are the same. If you want to fly at FL250 regularly you want the /35.

I am a fan of both aircraft. If you want a 2 passenger rocket that is cheaper to feed get the JetProp. If you want to take four adults and bags with a better ride buy the Meridian.

I went through this. Got a meridian. Feel free to reach out. This page was one of many that was helpful in addition to Casey’s.

http://www.codywelch.com/jetprop.php

Why on earth would you buy one of these over a Citation? To save gas?

Turbine conversions of piston aircraft are rarely very good. The design points just aren't the same. The Jet Prop is perhaps not as bad as some (like the Riley turbine 421, yes there is a reason you've never heard of it).

One issue is that turbine airplanes don't have yellow airspeed arcs so the Vmo is lowered to top of green. This limits cruise somewhat and surely limits descent.

Limited fuel ad limited useful load plague these conversions.

Mike C.

Well, yeah, that's exactly why one gets an SETP, less fuel.

Mike C.

Well, yeah, that's exactly why one gets an SETP, less fuel.

Mike C.