BeechTalk - BT - Piper announces the new M600 and improvements to the M350

Username Protected · **Posted:** 28 Jul 2016, 23:11

Beautiful plane. Flight levels are where its at :thumbup:

Username Protected · **Posted:** 29 Jul 2016, 02:43

Username Protected wrote:

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Well, after defending the Meridian for so long on this board none of you will be surprised that I closed on my Meridian last month, finished my training, and I am just starting to feel comfortable in it. Wow. Everybody was right. Flight levels, pressurization, and a turbine make all the difference in the world. I loved my B36TC but no comparison. Coming back from SoCal two weekends ago I felt bad for the guy on the radio in the Bo complaining about the ride while I was at FL270, with a tailwind, about 284KTS ground speed. Amazing. Here is a pic. Thank to all, especially Jason, for pointing out that life is short and now is the time. I couldn't agree more.

Congrats Greg, gorgeous airplane. Can you provide more details on your search budget and what led you to this plane? any more pics?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 29 Jul 2016, 06:26

Username Protected wrote:

Attachment:

20160710_141949.jpg

Well, after defending the Meridian for so long on this board none of you will be surprised that I closed on my Meridian last month, finished my training, and I am just starting to feel comfortable in it. Wow. Everybody was right. Flight levels, pressurization, and a turbine make all the difference in the world. I loved my B36TC but no comparison. Coming back from SoCal two weekends ago I felt bad for the guy on the radio in the Bo complaining about the ride while I was at FL270, with a tailwind, about 284KTS ground speed. Amazing. Here is a pic. Thank to all, especially Jason, for pointing out that life is short and now is the time. I couldn't agree more.

Beautiful Meridien. Congratulations. Run the hell out of it.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 29 Jul 2016, 11:13

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Adam,

I looked for a year and a half. I felt the market was softening due the M500 and the inevitable M600. G1000 birds were also pushing down the Avidyne market. I felt I could get a 1200-1600 hour Avidyne Meridan for $925 - $1M, depending on hours and year (Avidyne models run through mid 2009). I made runs at a number of planes but they fell through for one reason or another, mostly because of issues we found. This cherry was advertised at $1.05M, which kept me from calling on it. After getting frustrated with not finding a Meridian with GTN's and WAAS at the right price I decided to call on this because it had it all except the price. I offered 110K less and they took it within 2 days. It had about 1485 hours when I took possession with new GTN's, Flightstream 210, ADS-B out via updated transponders, and new paint. Pre-buy was done by a PA46 expert, which I highly recommend. So basically, it had all the things done you might want/need to upgrade. I plan to run the hell out of it Jason. I wished I had more free time!

Username Protected · **Posted:** 29 Jul 2016, 12:45

Greg,

You "forgot" the panel pictures. Congrats on your new toy!

Rgs,
Patrick

Username Protected · **Posted:** 30 Jul 2016, 10:37

Great looking bird Greg. Hope you have learned about Jet fuel cards, Ice X II, and if not familiar with onboard radar looking into some formal radar training. Erik Eliel is the new Archie Trammel, would seek him out. Congrats.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 30 Jul 2016, 10:40

Also, that bird has the old style left pilots window. They have been known to crack and blow out, usually in that order. Doesn't happen very often, but I hear gets your attention. Some recommend replacing it with the newer version, but at the very least inspect for any cracks.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 30 Jul 2016, 11:16

If you have the Avidyne Meridian can you rip out the Avidyne stuff and put in G600's? Or is it like the G1000 and certified to the airframe?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 31 Jul 2016, 14:47

Username Protected wrote:

Great looking bird Greg. Hope you have learned about Jet fuel cards, Ice X II, and if not familiar with onboard radar looking into some formal radar training. Erik Eliel is the new Archie Trammel, would seek him out. Congrats.

Hi Chuck,

I'm loving the bird so far. I'm in Denver at met with Joe L. yesterday and had lunch with him. Great guy. He let me use his prop/exhaust covers as my broker still has not sent them to me. Hard to believe. I have CAA Trial version, World Fuel, and Uvair. What I have found is that sometimes the discounts on fuel is made up by their other fees. CAA is $2.20/gal here at KAPA but it is actually cheaper to stay at Denver Jet with $3.14 UVAir fuel because you don't have $40/night tie downs. I also bought ICEX II at $386/quart. OUCH and a GPU/BatteryMinder from Jon. I have a lot to learn about using the radar. I'll Google Erik. Thank you for the info.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 31 Jul 2016, 14:48

Username Protected wrote:

Also, that bird has the old style left pilots window. They have been known to crack and blow out, usually in that order. Doesn't happen very often, but I hear gets your attention. Some recommend replacing it with the newer version, but at the very least inspect for any cracks.

Yep, I knew about this about during the prebuy thanks to Chad Menne. Eventually I'll have to replace the side windows with a one-piece unit for $5k. Another ouch.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 31 Jul 2016, 14:50

Username Protected wrote:

If you have the Avidyne Meridian can you rip out the Avidyne stuff and put in G600's? Or is it like the G1000 and certified to the airframe?

I don't think you can. I am not sure what would get with the G600 versus the Avidyne anyway as you can't get the autopilot. There is an STC to change the Meggitt avionics on pre-2006 Meridians to the G950 suite, but it ain't cheap as you can imagine. I think Cutter holds that STC. I like the Avidyne's to be honest. I'm sure I'd like the G1000 better but there is about a $150 price delta for Avidyne versus G1000 planes. Not sure I would like it that much more.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 31 Jul 2016, 17:58

Username Protected wrote:

Attachment:

HPA_0123.JPG

Adam,

I looked for a year and a half. I felt the market was softening due the M500 and the inevitable M600. G1000 birds were also pushing down the Avidyne market. I felt I could get a 1200-1600 hour Avidyne Meridan for $925 - $1M, depending on hours and year (Avidyne models run through mid 2009). I made runs at a number of planes but they fell through for one reason or another, mostly because of issues we found. This cherry was advertised at $1.05M, which kept me from calling on it. After getting frustrated with not finding a Meridian with GTN's and WAAS at the right price I decided to call on this because it had it all except the price. I offered 110K less and they took it within 2 days. It had about 1485 hours when I took possession with new GTN's, Flightstream 210, ADS-B out via updated transponders, and new paint. Pre-buy was done by a PA46 expert, which I highly recommend. So basically, it had all the things done you might want/need to upgrade. I plan to run the hell out of it Jason. I wished I had more free time!

Congratulations - nice plane!
I looked at that one as well, and took a test-drive with Mike Borden. Seemed well cared for and a good value. My family loved it, and I almost bid on it, but decided to wait for the right G1000 model.

I'm sure you'll enjoy it :dancing:

Username Protected · **Posted:** 01 Aug 2016, 12:46

Greg,

Check out http://www.jetfuelx.com/
A friend is trying it out and likes it so far. Makes it easier to find the best fuel prices.

Tim

Username Protected · **Posted:** 01 Aug 2016, 13:00

Username Protected wrote:

Greg,

Check out http://www.jetfuelx.com/
A friend is trying it out and likes it so far. Makes it easier to find the best fuel prices.

Tim

I have been using this. Written by an ex-MMOPA guy I hear. Excellent product. Only World Fuel is not on this because they won't report prices to them.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 01 Aug 2016, 13:19

Username Protected wrote:

Greg,

Check out http://www.jetfuelx.com/
A friend is trying it out and likes it so far. Makes it easier to find the best fuel prices.

Tim

I have been using this. Written by an ex-MMOPA guy I hear. Excellent product. Only World Fuel is not on this because they won't report prices to them.