While this will likely never happen personally, I can't help but wonder....

Are the older TBMs the best value in a SETP out there?

DOCs in the $500-700 range sound accurate?

Will the Kestrel and Epic put appreciable pressure on the lower end of this market?

Is it a reasonable idea to hang a mid-time PT6 to replace a run out unit on a TBM (maybe the engine model(s) used on the TBM is not typically floating around as mid-time cast offs?

Sure seems like you can get an awful lot of airplane for the same money as a new SR22...

I'd post this on TBMOPA, but not ready to pay $350 to ask a question -

i assume you mean for the same as buying an SR22 every year that you own the tbm?

i assume you mean for the same as buying an SR22 every year that you own the tbm?

Yes, I would assume he doesn't mean spending $550-$850k on his 1991 TBM every year

I'm curious as to the discussion as well.

Always thought the "cheapest" factory STEP to buy and operate was an older Meridian...

I'd feel dirty if I flew a Piper

In all seriousness, I just don't know enough about the SETP Pipers to have an opinion....

The answer to your question is - it depends. I owned serial number 98. My all in Doc excluding depreciation was $1,020.00 an hour. I had several maintenance events like a starter generator that decided to go tango uniform and there was the obligatory catch up mx items. The MX shop I started with did not do me any favors but the new one was fantastic. Base annuals started at 7,800.00 plus squawks and descrepencies. I chose to defer very little which increased the costs. If you run one on a shoe string I think you can defer a bunch and get into the high 700's to 800's per hour. Just be aware that if you it will cost you dearly when you sell. Just remember your TAS are much higher so flying 100 hours a year means a lot of flying. Then there are the landing fees etc. I got popped at KERI for $159.00 for each landing. That finally got sorted but FBO's see turbo prop and think Jet.

Anthony, this is new to me as well so please excuse me for asking the dumb questions. To arrive at $1,000+ per hour it would seem to me that the annual mx (including the annual) on a TBM would need to be about $50K. Is that consistent with what you were paying?

Used Meridians are nearly impossible to beat in the bang for the buck SETP territory. TBMs are significantly higher cost to fly and maintain. FF is 50% higher in the TBM, mx is substantially higher.

TBMs do offer a slightly larger cabin, more UL and varying degrees of higher cruise speed depending on the model. If your mission meets the capabilities of a Meridian, you can't beat it. If you need more UL and more range, the next step up the ladder is A and B model TBMs.

Thanks, Anthony. Good info.

Thanks, Don. No doubt you've done some serious research.

Yes that would be a good year. I have had annuals with repairs and maintenance over 100k. Again it depends on how you maintain the airframe. I chose to defer very little. The starter generator alone was $27k. Landing gear actuators are 12k each if I remember correctly. Prop overhaul was $12k every 6 years. I had a Rosan stud strip on the brake disk, $10k. The MLG gear struts needed overhaul due to soft goods failure, $37k. $12k to overhaul the radome. $8k to repair a EFIS tube.

I changed the tires every other year. Nose wheel is ultra important if you like your prop.

Not everything is maintenance some of it is repair. But $50k a year would be on the low side of average. Training is $4k/yr, insurance $10k, hanger 8k, subscriptions 3k, XM weather $1.5k, 60 gph average $4.00 gal depending on where you are. Landing fees and hangerage away averaged 8k per year.

i am sure others will have a different experience and lower cost. I chose not to defer and that decision cost money.

Don, I have never flown a meridian but 25 to 30 gph? Really? I thought the fuel burn was higher than that. At FL28.0 55gph would true 275 to 280 depending on Temp in the TBM. Is the Meridian significantly better on NM/gal? Maybe I should have bought one. I was happy with the TBM performance but not the King Air maintenance and repair.

Anthony, the Meridian burns 40gph at FL280 at 265-270kts. 50% higher fuel burn equals 60gph. I didn't say the Meridian burn was half of the TBM.

So nearly the same performance for 20gph less and substantially less mx costs. I LOVE the TBM and would probably seriously consider it but I can fit my primary missions to the Meridians performance and the cost delta is significant. If I had to have more range or UL, the TBM would be my next choice. They are both awesome machines with slightly different capabilities.

The Meridian is going to see about 260 KTAS at 37 gph. 50% more would be 55 gph. I think that is where Don got the 50% more number.

If the Meridian fits the mission, it will be the least expensive factory certified turbine to own and operate all in, year for year option for option. Prop overhauls, hot section, TBO, windscreens, starter generators, seem to be the big ticket items. Want to make sure that if they are bad or due, that those costs are figured in the pre-buy or ongoing maintenance. Everything else on the aircraft is basically piston aircraft expensive. The TBM is more aircraft, with all the good and bad that entails.

Ahh sorry, that makes sense. Reading is fundamental. Like I said never flown one so I have no comparison. If our little slice of heaven in manufacturing ever recovers and I decide to buy a SETP again, I think I will look at a meridian.

Touche. And I don't either. I've had a couple of friends/acquaintances try to figure it out though - one almost got a P210 with the Alison (got a 58P instead), another built an Epic, another just got a Meridian. So... I have no idea but am curious