For tax reasons, I needed to take delivery by December 31, so I'm not longer in the market.

-Ted

Hah! I had read that but assumed you needed it before THIS December 31st! My commiserations. It must be annoying to see it offered below your price now your window has closed. I hope circumstances change back in favor of a purchase soon.

A friend of mine who flies a TBM came over for drinks yesterday. Discussion evolved toward the Meridian. He was vehemently opposed to my considerations for purchase. Seems that he owned one and had two “severe veer to the right upon landing” events which caused him to sell the plane.

I realize that a seemingly unexplainable event can be very disconcerting. And my friend is certainly an experienced pilot.

I researched around and other instances are noted but the Piper issued some guidelines and the incidence rate went down. But does the problem still occur?

Would appreciate recent thinking on this. Thanks

Best,

Tom

Tom

There's a brand new red M600 sitting on a trailer in Williston with its nose gear ripped off and this is exactly what the pilot reported. Apparently it has something to do with low nose wheel tire pressure.

There's a brand new red M600 sitting on a trailer in Williston with its nose gear ripped off and this is exactly what the pilot reported. Apparently it has something to do with low nose wheel tire pressure.

Yes, all about tire pressure. Less problem with the 10-ply tire. Still needs to be checked regularly. If you do that then no issues. Piper has SL-1286 to address this for all PA46. Also nose gear angle and rake angle adjustment need to be checked regularly. Certainly not a reason to avoid the plane. I have copy of SL if anyone is interested, PM me.

Can owner/pilot check the nose get angle and rake angle? Or something for an A&P? Is regularly a certain number of flights, flight hours or say every few months? Thanks

Best,

Tom

Owner pilot to inspect. Likely A&P to adjust. See attached.

Thanks Greg. Nice to see some color in these SLs.

Feel free to drop in at 46U any time.

Best,

Tom

Would love to. Always wanted to visit that place. You all ever have fly-ins?

I’ve been here for a year and nothing was planned but this is time of COVID. Lots of visiting planes around the 4th of July when an impromptu, but quite pro airshow is held. And this has to be the fireworks capital of the world... Kaboom...

PM me for a phone no.

Best,

Tom

A couple of other items you may wish to be aware of: On many Meridians the turbulent air penetration speed is 130 kts. If it gets bumpy, you will need to advise the controller you are slowing to Cherokee speeds. If you're going into or near Class B, carry lots of fuel. Dallas, Phoenix, LA, and other places will put you on an arrival that decends you to 7-9,000' anywhere from 50 to 90 miles out from your destination. Now, instead of doing 250 kts on 250 pph, now your TAS is 180 kts on 340 pph. If I'm going to a satellite airport not inside the B, and it's VMC, I cancel coming through FL180 and squawk 12. I think the aircraft is some awesome bang for the buck. Even the 600, which requires more button pushing (screen touching) still qualifies as the most user friendly and easiest aircraft I have ever flown.

Herb, thanks for the insight. What determines the ‘turbulent air penetration speed’ for a Meridian? Model year? Weight? Other?

And when you do that Vmc cancellation, how far are you typically from your destination airport?

Best,

Tom

Va is 133 KIAS. That does not apply to moderate turbulence, which the plane is certified up to Vmo. Most GA pilots consider 2G turbulence severe. The wing is rated to at least 5Gs which would be extreme and potentially injuring turbulence. So I would not worry about it. If the turbulence is severe, You are going to slow down regardless of what you are flying. it is not made of balsa wood. Don’t think I have ever slowed to Va due to turbulence, and have been in turbulence severe enough to remove headsets more than once in a Meridian M500. Just use common sense, but it is a tough airframe. Now the M600 is a different beast. The wing spar in the M600 looks like a support beam in a truck.

Agree the turbulence speed is a red herring. Class B early descent is a significant operational concern.