If you pick up a plane and have a prop overhaul and an FCU overhaul shortly after purchase that is going to skew the costs. If you buy that same plane after those events, you likely are going to have 6 pretty cheap years. I know a lot of Meridian drivers, and quite a few of them are quite frugal, and live on high performance piston budgets. Unless something is broken or needs overhaul, the Meridian is going to run about 10K per year in maintenance including annual. I have been flying late model P46's for the last 6 years mostly in warranty, and have had annuals between 6 and 8K at Piper SC's, no reasonable maintenance deferred. Of course out of warranty there are occasional surprises.

A lot of horror stories come from people that pick up a plane that is about to go into maintenance cycles, props, FCU's, and they pick up those upfront costs. Or get a plane that was not managed well, and missed in the pre-buyand have to play catchup on maintenance items.

The Meridian has mostly piston priced parts, along the lines of their piston PA46 products. Gear work is on the order of a few hundred dollars, cleaning, refilling fluid and replacing bushings and shims and overhaul is only as needed, and maybe never. Price TBM gear work. The windscreens are expensive. 30K, you hope those stay healthy, but those PPG windscreens do go bad sometimes. The engine is simply a Pratt, and in the Meridian is never run anywhere near close to its potential being very derated. So TBO is fully expected. OH on a -42A same as the King Air is 3600 hrs, and averages 250K, or you can go with Pratt flat rate pricing for 235K, with a cap of 305K, anyway a lot cheaper (<100K) than the -66 in the TBM. Socata is also very proud of their parts which are in line with turbine costs.

In summary, a TBM is going to cost 2-3 times per year more to operate compared to a similar year Meridian flying the same missions year over year. We had a pro-pilot that flew several TBM's as well as our Meridian. He had some pretty nightmarish stories about the TBM's he flew with respect to costs on maintenance. 60K is not a bad year for those birds.

The Meridian is the least expensive factory certified turbine to operate. It has its limitations, but no turbine touches it with respect to cost or efficiency. The TBM is a good plane, but it is more of everything, including more money.

I am amazed at the build quality of my Meridian. They are amazingly durable and don't break. They are one of the latest single engine aircraft certified (2000 era), and they had their act together when designing for the pilot-owned market.....with simpler systems and a de-tuned turbine that is easy to manage. It is more than a huge step up from a single piston like my pervious G36.

I still can't understand why so many here compare to a TBM. That is a different game. I think of those as a heavy "Boeing" quality build, and the costs goes with it. I am fond of a TBM, but it doesn't fit my needs. Besides, I don't see value until you get into an 850 TBM spec or newer, and that puts you into an even higher price bracket (2008 plus era).

Piper builds their Meridians in a low cost labor structure in Vero Beach. A Meridian is 2000#s lighter, so many of their structural needs are lighter like landing gear systems, brakes, companionways, etc. which have a substantial cost/maintenance benefit.

I could upgrade to a nice 850 TBM for another $1 million, and add another $50,000/yr + operating. Or....I can have a really nice lake house, car collection, college for the kids, etc.

It's your pick! There's no ONE right answer. But....I am quite happy with my very nice Meridian.

You meridian owners make it harder and harder for me not to buy one.

Once you fly a pressurized turbine the piston planes are hard to get back into. The fact that there are very nice Meridians available under 1 million makes it a great time to move up.

Will the pilot seat accomodate someone that is 6'4"? I fit in a TBM but have never sat in a Meridian.

You would want to sit in one yourself as everyone has a different idea of what's enough room. That said My uncle is 6'4" and has no problem sitting in the pilot seat. To be certain he'd have enough room the dealership has an STC that cuts 1" from the bottom of the seat cushion. With that modification he doesn't feel cramped at all

Great info. Thanks

Two of my tenants just bought Meridians after looking at TBM's.
My neighbor sold his very nice glass equipped 1982 421C and bought a 2005 TBM that was supposed to be in great condition after everything was fixed in the Pre buy.
His first annual after logging only 90 hours was 72,000. On a 300kt mile trip he is 15 minutes faster than his old 421C. The 421C could carry 6 people in comfort with a potty and only be 15 to 30 mins behind the TBM on most trips on half the cost.
With full fuel he can carry two people with no relief tube or potty in the back.
I will look a Meridians next year but will not consider a TBM.

I don't doubt that either are fine airplanes and both are out of my league. I'm just happy to see an American made Piper get such good press in this thread.

I am really sad to see so much aviation related industry moving overseas. While Piper may be foreign owned, it is fully an American company with some really proud employees. Not to get into political debate, but nice to see a little industry preserved in this country. Piper put out this tribute video to their employees. Kind of a feel good video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgvz4ebOkKo

I, for one, love my meridian. It has done everything I have asked of it and has been reasonably priced over the last year of ownership. I would recommend this airframe to anyone whom can justify it. Once you fly a pressurized single, it's hard to go back. The entire PA46 line is great, the meridian it truly wonderful.

Charles,
Pretty easy with the tailwind, try to do this trip heading west.



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

Full fuel payload is over 800 ibs in a 2005 TBM 700C2. Thats 4 peoples plus baggage.
Unless he bought a 2002 or older B model.
A relief tube can be installed pretty cheap in a TBM. Im thinking of getting one installed in my 850.
At $72000 for sure there was defered maintenance.
Sounds like your friend drank the Avex coolaid.

Mark its a 2002B model everything was fixed at the pre buy in Camarillo

Both TBM and Pilatus have a substantial US/canadian parts content.