My friend who now flys a 850 told me that on his 1000 nm flights that he is using less fuel now than before with the Meridian.
I cant compare as I never owned a Meridian but on 1000 nm trips my fuel cost is less than the Baron 58 I had before.

Flying RVSM you will be around 50-52 gph for 3.5-3.6 hrs for this trip.
BTW I never see over 60 gph in cruise on non RVSM altitudes.
That will be around 200-210 gal in the TBM.

In the Meridian you will be 2.4-2.5 hrs for 500 nm x 2 +1 Hr stop?
Sounds more like 220-230 gls to me and 5.5-6 hrs.

Im ready to take this challenge with you, 1000 nm trip. 850 ibs payload. No BS.

"My friend told me". Hearsay. You boldly make those statements yet have never flown one? Does your TBM have RVSM? How much more did that cost you? What is your block speed? You're doing better than book at FL310 according to the POH, page 5.11.5. at ISA.

http://www.avsoft.com.au/ext/TBM_850.pdf

At 7100 pounds, which you would be at with all that payload, you would true 309, less than 320 I predicted. That is 5.5 MPG, STILL less than the Meridian at that is at an RVSM altitude of 3k' more than the Meridian. You pay dearly for RVSM too and you still can't beat the MPG of the Meridian.

I just did KMAN to Denver, 695 NM, in 2:25. FLTPLAN says 2:33 with no wind. I topped off with 95 gallons. No wind says 102 gallons. So you better check your math again.

Now you have to add the 850 pound payload to your equation to substantiate your claim? Even after I readily admitted the TBM could carry more? I'll take your bet. You will beat me. It won't be by 2 hours or less fuel. And my trip cost will be a whole lot less with direct and indirect costs of both planes. Then we can do a 600 mile trip with 600 pounds of payload (my typical trip) to see how much better you do. You'll beat me by minutes and those minutes will cost you thousands. Just like a Phenom 300 would whip you in all aspects, including more costs. Or bet someone with a Pilatus with full fuel, 1700 mile trip, and 1000 pounds of payload to see how you do. Crazy logic to compare your TBM to a Meridian with all the additional costs. For $700k more plus fuel plus maintenance it better darn well do better! The big question to me, and others, is if it is worth it. It wasn't to me.

for a 1m TBM vs a 1m Meridian, what are the additional operating costs of the TBM vs the Meridian?

In the Meridian for a 450 nm trip you can leave 50 gallons of fuel behind, not counting the 43 lbs of fuel you can use for start up and taxi, with IFR no alternate reserves, so you could have 890 lbs in the cabin for that trip. So unless they are really big people, no problem. The rear baggage area can hold a surprising amount of baggage, and when really tight, I will pack soft bags that don't need to be secured on the floor. I have taken 6 people and enough baggage in a P46 to completely stuff a Tahoe SUV on the other end.

Here is just shy of 1000 nm on less than 130 gallons.

If I did 2 500 nm legs, I would burn 180 gallons total. The Meridian burns just under 50 gallons then first hour, and just under 40 gallons each additional hour. So 50/40 is overestimating and running max cruise. Could come in quite a bit less than that throttling back. I know the picture shows a King Air, but really is a Meridian. Don't know how to change that. Someone attached that picture to my plane. Almost had to pay KA ramp fees in Las Vegas one day. After I changed my shorts I asked why so much. They said that is the KA fee. Glad I straightened that one out

Apples and oranges. There is about a ten+ year difference in plane ages if I follow the market correctly.

Tim

60,000$ annual inspections are very common in TBM's that are over 5 years old

60,000$ annual inspections are very common in TBM's that are over 5 years old

If one believes the internet, they are also common on Meridians.

And they can't write anything that isn't true on the internet.[/quote]

This information didn't come from the internet. It was an even more reliable source.....The Piper Salesman!!

I am soon to go through my 4th annual. I use Sun Aviation which is one of the more recognized Meridian/Pilatus Service Centers. They told me to budget $25,000 per annual as an average, with variation year to year. I have had most of the suggested services preformed and my average also includes overhauling the prop and fuel controller, and a few surprises.

I have averaged only $20,800 per annual.

I owned a G36 Bonanza prior. I found a late model cherry Meridian with low hours and all the upgrades. It cost twice a much to buy, and costs twice as much to operate. A TBM of the same condition is 3 1/2 times the G36 to purchase, and costs 3 1/2 times to operate.

All three airplanes are built well and do exactly as advertised. It is pick your poison.

Apples and oranges. There is about a ten+ year difference in plane ages if I follow the market correctly.

Tim

Gross generalizations:

Age affects what goes wrong, the older a plane is the more likely you have higher OpEx due to MX. In addition, with age comes modification. The more modified a plane is, the more likely you run into non-standard items or run into issues where the answer was not documented.
At some point, the difference matters less. Such as a 50yr old Baron versus a 40yr Baron.
In this case, I believe a million would get you either a TBM 700 from around 1995-1998 or a 2007-2008 Meridian. (This is going on memory).
The TBM likely has steam gauges, and would be due for some engine work within the next five years. The Meridian would have a glass panel and would be about 10 years from needing extensive engine work.

Next you can cover the cosmetic aspects. The Meridian has a lot longer to go in terms of exterior and interior.....

Tim

Apples and oranges. There is about a ten+ year difference in plane ages if I follow the market correctly.

Tim

Great post Rick. Real world information

On controller it looks like some of those 900k 1994 TBM 700's have plenty of time left on the engine and have good cosmetics. I don't think glass panel or not is going to make a meaningful difference in operating costs. I believe the TBM will cost more to operate, just not sure how meaningful that would be over say 5 or 10 years assuming you're starting out with same value aircraft. If a "big shop" annual on the Meridian runs 20k what's an equivalent cost on the TBM?