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 Post subject: Considering buying a Meridian
PostPosted: 06 Feb 2021, 22:03 
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Joined: 04/09/15
Posts: 29
Post Likes: +42
Aircraft: Bonanza a36
If any current Meridian owners would like to talk about their experience owning a Meridian please PM me. After flying my A36 for over 25 years I’m considering the move up to a SETP. It would most likely be a mid to late 2000’s model

I’m based in Minnesota

Thanks

Joe


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 Post subject: Re: Considering buying a Meridian
PostPosted: 06 Feb 2021, 22:12 
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Joined: 11/20/14
Posts: 6451
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Aircraft: V35
Post pics of the soon-to-be-for-sale A36 :drool:


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 Post subject: Re: Considering buying a Meridian
PostPosted: 06 Feb 2021, 22:13 
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Joined: 03/23/08
Posts: 6908
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Company: AssuredPartners Aerospace Phx.
Location: KDVT, 46U
Aircraft: IAR823, LrJet, 240Z
Perfect upgrade path.
It will fit in your hangar?

Tj

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Tom Johnson-Az/Wy
AssuredPartners Aerospace Insurance
Tj.Johnson@AssuredPartners.com
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 Post subject: Re: Considering buying a Meridian
PostPosted: 06 Feb 2021, 22:29 
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Joined: 11/09/13
Posts: 174
Post Likes: +79
Location: Camarillo, Ca.
Aircraft: 2005 Meridian
I went from an A-36 to a Meridian. I will always have a soft spot for my A-36 but it is a really big jump in utility to go from a top performing single engine piston to an entry level turbine. It is also interesting that the costs of ownership are not as different than one would think considering how much more capable the Meridian is. My wife also loves that I am not tinkering with my JPI anymore, now it's just set it and forget it. The Meridian has really exceeded my expectations in almost every category.


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 Post subject: Re: Considering buying a Meridian
PostPosted: 06 Feb 2021, 22:32 
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Joined: 09/29/15
Posts: 1219
Post Likes: +748
Location: 26N-NJ, F45-FL
Aircraft: Cessna 210
What is the real world range of the Meridian with 2 adults and some luggage?

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Happy Landings,
-Dave


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 Post subject: Re: Considering buying a Meridian
PostPosted: 06 Feb 2021, 22:33 
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Joined: 04/09/15
Posts: 29
Post Likes: +42
Aircraft: Bonanza a36
I will need to install a larger door when my dad built the hanger 50 plus years ago he built the door 43’ wide oh well I think it can be done

A36 is a 1985 model half glass half steam gages GTN750 GTN650 796 on copilot side. Heated prop
3400TT 1400SMOH, factory reman on order due to cylinder AD up this year on it
Paint and interior less then 10 years old hangered last 26 years we have owned it


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 Post subject: Re: Considering buying a Meridian
PostPosted: 07 Feb 2021, 01:45 
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Joined: 08/16/15
Posts: 2867
Post Likes: +3575
Location: Ogden UT
Aircraft: Piper M600
Username Protected wrote:
What is the real world range of the Meridian with 2 adults and some luggage?


750 nm with 2 adults and luggage in the real world with normal cruise and normal ATC handling. With favorable winds or pulling the power back 1000 nm is doable. The plane holds 4:20 worth of fuel flying normal profiles, so flying 3.5 hours is usually about all you want to do. FL260 and 270 is the sweet spot for the Meridian. FL270 should give you 265 knots burning 250 pph.

There is an RVSM STC that unlocks FL290 and 300, which can help stretch range and top weather. But the cabin altitude goes above 10K at FL300, so some may not want to stay up there for the duration. I use it occasionally when crossing fronts, to get a better view of the boomers.

Most Meridians have full fuel useful loads between 500 and 600 lbs. but you can leave some of the 1140 lbs of fuel behind if you need extra payload.

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Chuck Ivester
Piper M600
Ogden UT


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 Post subject: Re: Considering buying a Meridian
PostPosted: 07 Feb 2021, 08:15 
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Joined: 09/29/15
Posts: 1219
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Location: 26N-NJ, F45-FL
Aircraft: Cessna 210
Username Protected wrote:
What is the real world range of the Meridian with 2 adults and some luggage?


750 nm with 2 adults and luggage in the real world with normal cruise and normal ATC handling. With favorable winds or pulling the power back 1000 nm is doable. The plane holds 4:20 worth of fuel flying normal profiles, so flying 3.5 hours is usually about all you want to do. FL260 and 270 is the sweet spot for the Meridian. FL270 should give you 265 knots burning 250 pph.

There is an RVSM STC that unlocks FL290 and 300, which can help stretch range and top weather. But the cabin altitude goes above 10K at FL300, so some may not want to stay up there for the duration. I use it occasionally when crossing fronts, to get a better view of the boomers.

Most Meridians have full fuel useful loads between 500 and 600 lbs. but you can leave some of the 1140 lbs of fuel behind if you need extra payload.


Thanks Chuck.
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Happy Landings,
-Dave


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 Post subject: Re: Considering buying a Meridian
PostPosted: 11 Feb 2021, 02:20 
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Joined: 07/16/12
Posts: 77
Post Likes: +65
Location: KHEF & KCPS
Aircraft: C501SP
My 2 cents. Transitioned from a T206 to a 2003 Meggitts-equipped Meridian with the gross weight increase last summer. It is an amazing entry-level turbine that is an honest 2-3 person plane that can take you 750nm at 250kts. Best of all, you can reasonably own and operate (for 125 hours a year) a similar vintage plane for approximately 100k. If you're really serious about purchasing a Meridian, join MMOPA. It's worth the fee and is a wealth of knowledge.

The plane definitely has some limitations which will likely lead me to another airplane sooner rather than later, but so long as you are aware of those limitations you won't have any regrets. I certainly don't.


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 Post subject: Re: Considering buying a Meridian
PostPosted: 11 Feb 2021, 08:43 
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Joined: 03/30/15
Posts: 114
Post Likes: +57
Aircraft: King air 350
Meridian is wonderful for a couple of people. The higher you go the faster you go. Unless huge headwinds, every leg is flown at fl270-280. I’ve been flying pa46s for 20 years and the meridian off and on since 01. It was a good transition airplane for my boss. When the weather is crummy at the 3 hour mark it’s time for me to look for fuel, 3.5 hours in the air and ifr reserves are basically gone. Good vfr pushing it to 4 hours is something you can do if there are a lot of airport options nearby. Our last meridian we put 1900 hours on in 22 months and it held up really really well to the cycles and hours.
Craig


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 Post subject: Re: Considering buying a Meridian
PostPosted: 11 Feb 2021, 09:31 
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Joined: 01/07/21
Posts: 296
Post Likes: +299
Aircraft: M20J/R, Sr22, SR20
Username Protected wrote:
What is the real world range of the Meridian with 2 adults and some luggage?


750 nm with 2 adults and luggage in the real world with normal cruise and normal ATC handling. With favorable winds or pulling the power back 1000 nm is doable. The plane holds 4:20 worth of fuel flying normal profiles, so flying 3.5 hours is usually about all you want to do. FL260 and 270 is the sweet spot for the Meridian. FL270 should give you 265 knots burning 250 pph.

There is an RVSM STC that unlocks FL290 and 300, which can help stretch range and top weather. But the cabin altitude goes above 10K at FL300, so some may not want to stay up there for the duration. I use it occasionally when crossing fronts, to get a better view of the boomers.

Most Meridians have full fuel useful loads between 500 and 600 lbs. but you can leave some of the 1140 lbs of fuel behind if you need extra payload.


Chuck, does the M600 easily do 1000NM with 2 adults, some baggage? Even with strong head winds, etc.? Say Palm Beach to Chicago without stopping..........regularly?

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 Post subject: Re: Considering buying a Meridian
PostPosted: 11 Feb 2021, 10:11 
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Joined: 11/07/11
Posts: 721
Post Likes: +392
Location: KBED, KCRE
Aircraft: Phenom 100
Not Chuck, but I would assume it would do it easily as long as the winds were under 100 knots. 1,000 miles at 250 knots block is 4 hours of fuel and I believe the M600 holds about 6 hours of fuel.

Chip-


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 Post subject: Re: Considering buying a Meridian
PostPosted: 11 Feb 2021, 10:47 
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Joined: 08/16/15
Posts: 2867
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Location: Ogden UT
Aircraft: Piper M600
What Chip said. Here are my profiles flying today. Neutral wind one direction, and 20 knots on the nose coming back. Either way about a little under 4 hours down and 4:15 hours back easy non-stop. You could easily take 800 lbs of payload in the cabin with fuel and IFR reserves in the M600. Jet fuel today was PWK is 3.76, which would be about $610 in fuel. Probably cheaper than coach with 2 people, certainly cheaper with 4 people. ;-)

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Chuck Ivester
Piper M600
Ogden UT


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 Post subject: Re: Considering buying a Meridian
PostPosted: 11 Feb 2021, 13:53 
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Joined: 05/30/17
Posts: 198
Post Likes: +159
What Chuck said. Our M600 can do 1000 nm in almost any wind conditions. However, if you're flying into a 100-knot headwind, TAS at altitude is about 165 knots. Climb ground speed can be even lower. But if you're willing to sit in that cockpit for 6 hours, you can do it. Especially if you cruise at 290/300.

Both the Meridian and M600 will allow extra fuel beyond the published maximum to go into the tanks. This is especially true in cold weather. The 600 holds 1742 pounds of Jet-A by the book but I can usually squeeze about another 100# in there. With 2 people and bags, it's not a gross weight issue. And most of my flights are solo anyway. I've done 6 hours of flying with adequate reserves (about 300#) with the top-off. That's a long flying day but you can cover a lot of ground even into winter winds westbound.

However, most folks will either make a fuel stop or come up with a dogleg route that reduces the overall time enroute if possible. On some days, however, that's just not possible.

No wind range in the M600 is about 1700 nm... that's a pretty long day but the range is impressive. Of course, if you have a nice breeze on the tail, you can literally go coast-to-coast in the 600. I've seen the range rings after takeoff from San Diego show me getting to Jacksonville with well over minimum reserves ...


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 Post subject: Re: Considering buying a Meridian
PostPosted: 11 Feb 2021, 14:01 
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Joined: 10/11/19
Posts: 21
Post Likes: +10
Aircraft: PA46T
Will second the suggestion to join MMOPA.

When I started my search first thing I did was join MMOPA and scour the forums and posts. Also was able to link up with owners for flights and get to experience first hand how awesome these machines are.

Full disclosure I ultimately ended buying a JetProp. But happy to discuss my process and what I learned searching for Meridians.

Also can't reiterate enough what a game changer flying in a 1) pressurized airplane and 2) behind a PT6 is.


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