I have a 2003 TBM700C2 and I am on my third annual.

The first year I replaced an air conditioner for 28K. The rest of the annual was about 5k plus 5k labor. About 200 hours flown

Second year was about 15K total. During the year I also replaced a circuit board for 5K. 250 hours flown that year

Third year had to replace 1 gear actuator and Shadin. About 20K total including labor for annual. 150 hours flown.

That plus now 12K insurance (up from 10) and the usual other expenses... hangar, fuel, fees, avionics.

I think annual costs can depend on the shop and what kind of condition the plane was in when you buy.

I do think my shop's rates are less than what I hear in other parts of the country. It also happens to be at my home airport so that helps belay some additional travel costs.

I think I have asked this question before, but here it goes again:

For the TBM operators: would you operate it out of a caliche runway?

For those who don't know what caliche is: it is a hard surface, compacted material runway with loose rocks and dust. Caliche is calcium carbonate (same as limestone) in a looser form. It is used as a road base material or often for drilling pads.

I would not.

Doubt I would use a caliche Rwy but yes you could. Best situation would be if you can start on pavement and do your checks there then taxi never stopping during taxi or on Rwy. Ie constant movement forward so that you do not create a vortex and suck something up into the air inlet. Fod.

On my second TBM......first was a 700C2. Moved up to a TBM G850.
Hard to beat for my missions. Looked at mustangs, Phenom 100.......loved em both but range was an issue, type rating, turboprop better on contaminated runways. Depends on what u need.

No.

The September issue of Twin & Turbine has a nice write-up comparing the TBM700C2 to the Meridian. The author Joe Casey is a big PA46T fan (especially jetprops) but does a good job getting to the point.....how important is a fuel stop to you to make your mission.
The TBM rates better in just about every metric except DOC.
Making a fuel stop in dicey weather, as well as all the other possible downsides of a fuel stop, including another quick-turn turbine cycle can make a difference.

The Meridian is efficient, but I have been put off by all the compromises of the early models. Slower with v.g. on the wings, -34c outside temp limit, limited useful, lots of issues with flat tires, “always on” inertial separator, etc.

I don’t see much discussion about pulling the power back on TBM’S but at 245kts. fuel flow is down to 37gph—basically Meridian territory if you want to go there.
https://www.newavex.com/tbm-learning-ce ... re-models/

One other point: the Meridian with full fuel is out of forward c.g. with more than about 200lbs in the front.
https://www.newavex.com/tbm-learning-ce ... d-balance/

How do the new Meridians do with icing?

I found the piston versions (jet prop airframe) lost 20 kts with light rime. You might get a big surprise if you have AP on, the tail ices (which happens faster than the wings) and suddenly the AP disconnects. You should turn off AP in any icing per the POH. My experience was that you should exit icing conditions ASAP.

A light rime encounter in the TBM is a non-event. Even moderate rime is manageable if you are not staying in it.

The FIKI on the Meridian was certified after Roselawn when more was known about SLD. It was certified to higher FIKI standards than the legacy PA46's, and even the TBM. The boots are huge compartively. Does well in icing. Since the inertial sep is always on, there is no engine penalty in IMC or ice other than airframe accretion, so you don't see a speed or climb penalty in IMC or icing. The Meridian will handily out climb the early TBMs in IMC/ice due to the IS issues. I think the later TBM's do better. Living in the Rockies, I have more icing experience, than anyone should ever have to endure. Respect ice, always have a plan B and C, but using your brain, and following the POH, the Meridian is very capable in icing conditions.

Here is a picture of the boots on a TBM and Meridian. I have pretty big hands, can palm a basketball

I can touch the top and bottom edge of a TBM boot simultaneously, can't even come close in the Meridian.

TBM



Meridian

The TBM is very capable in icing condition.
Never got into conditions that I couldn't shed the ice in the 1600 hrs I have been flying TBMs.

Wasn't it an attempt to climb out of icing that took out the TBM in NJ a few years back?

Wasn't it an attempt to climb out of icing that took out the TBM in NJ a few years back?

A lot went wrong in this flight.
The main thing he never activated the inertial separator so when he encountered ice he basically trash the engine so it wouldn't climb much and then he stayed in probably moderate to severe icing for too long until he stalled the plane and lost control.