Not sure I understand. The upfront purchase price between a 90s vintage Malibu Mirage and a late 70s/early 80s vintage 340 is pretty close. Upper 200s to mid 300s.

I am not real familiar with the Mirage, however the Meridian (same airframe) can do 270KTS at 27,0000 on 45 gal/hr and is a nice ride. I have a friend that just went from a F-33A to a full de-iced Meridian and I think for a personal aircraft it is amazing. His mission is a 600 mile one way round trip each week with two people and he is elated. He also goes to Destin once a once for the weekend with the family of 4. I agree it is not a 6 place aircraft however. My Baron is and I have 6 in the aircraft once every 2 years or so. Aircraft needs to match the mission.

What would work really well on that plane is a well executed 500hp turbine installation

Let's say you are flying along happily at FL230 with a cabin full of people. If an engine quits what does the conventional wisdom say to do? I would assume within a short time you lose pressurization so unless everyone had masks in hand and the ship has enough oxygen for everyone for 30 mins I doubt you will just trim for best glide and try to make the most convenient airport. More likely you will rapidly descend to non-oxygen altitudes and then your glide is really no better than an A36 at 12,000 with an engine failure. Is my thinking flawed?

My 2014 Mirage has 6 oxygen generators that are designed to provide 30 minutes of oxygen for that very purpose. As far as I know all the Malibu's do.

That would be no different than pressurization in any pressurized piston, turbine or turbojet. Get the masks on and get the aircraft into an emergency decent below 12,000 feet.

I sold my Baron for a late model Cirrus Turbo 2 years ago and have been very happy with my decision, not to mention my bank account. FIKI, however, is becoming increasingly important so I am now faced with the choice of a new Cirrus G-5 or a 2008 mirage for about the same price. Max is clearly a big consideration as a new plane will be maintenance free for 4 years (warranty). While the turbo cirrus can technically fly to 25K, realistically 18k is more sensible. I just don't think anyone has any business in the flight level with an unpressurized aircraft.

So it becomes a trade-off between the chute or pressurization. The high cost of maintenance, I believe, will be some what offset by the pounding I'll take on price depreciation of a new plane. Still struggling with this decision.

I have a nice large O2 tank in my Aerostar, if I lost both engines at 30K MSL (max altitude) I have a few hours of O2 to glide down.
In the case of the PA46, I recall the on board O2 was about three times normal max glide time before you are below O2 requirements. Not an issue is the basic point.

Tim

Depending on mission, a FIKI 2009 Cirrus G3 might do the job. Also save you about 300K on the purchase price.

Tim

The Mirage glides better than any plane I have ever flown. Even the most green pilot can plan on 2 miles per 1000 feet of altitude. A more proficient pilot can probably do better than that. I don't understand the animosity towards the Mirage on this site. One of the first posters made a joke about putting 6oz of gas in to accommodate 4 people. This is simply not true. I routinely make trips between KLOZ (London,KY) to KISM (Orlando,FL) with 4 people and luggage and within W & B limitations. We have not had any maintenance nightmares during a year and a half of ownership. I credit this to an intensive prebuy inspection at Malibu Aerospace. They found quite a few squawks on an airplane that had 400 hours and was maintained by a Piper Service Center. The windshield is $30k. That is just something you have to be prepared to deal with if you want FIKI and pressurization. The full fuel payload is not something that is a big deal in this airplane. I have filled the tanks full maybe 3 times in almost 400 hours. The airplane is not perfect. I do think that is a good value if you want pressurization and FIKI.

Jimmy Elza

I think you are correct Victor, flying above 18,000' without pressurization is not comfortable and most passengers do not want to wear a mask.

The Mirage is very comfortable and quiet for that matter all the way up to FL250. In fact, that is where you see the best TAS and that is why I bought the Mirage, also FIKI certified.

Depending on mission, a FIKI 2009 Cirrus G3 might do the job. Also save you about 300K on the purchase price.

Tim[/quote]

I looked at the FIKI G3's Tim. I need full tanks and the G-3 has a fuel full payload enough for me and a tooth brush and that's with me lying about my weight. The extra 200 payload on the G5 is critical.

Not sure I understand. The upfront purchase price between a 90s vintage Malibu Mirage and a late 70s/early 80s vintage 340 is pretty close. Upper 200s to mid 300s.

For the acquisition costs of a newer Mirage I just found myself looking at SE turboprops. I liked the Meridian a lot. For the same cost a little bit older TBM made more sense.
At least that's what I've convinced myself.............time will tell?!?