Hello,

I’m starting the process of looking for a Malibu to buy for my family and had a question about the windshields. My focus has been on the continental powered mid-80s Malibu’s which all came with the hot plate from the factory. I’ve read that those hot plates are becoming difficult to service/replace. If that hot plate fails, what options does the owner have and how much do those options typically cost? Are there any gotchas, like some years there is no fix, etc?

Thanks for any advice

John

The hot plates can be serviced to some limits. There are a few used spares floating around.

MMOPA owns the STC to convert Malibu hotplates to the glass hot windshield currently installed in the M series aircraft. MMOPA charges a very small fee (around $100 or so) for the STC. The windshield itself did have it's price lowered this year by Piper, but the windshield itself is still around $10k (my memory is failing me on the exact number). The installation on any PA46 aircraft is not easy or cheap and these windshields are known to have life limits that are unreasonably low by some. General rule of thumb is to plan on $30k to get it all done.

Now that said there is a new third party windshield in the works (I believe PPG makes the current M-series windshield). I won't speak for the company as they'll probably announce something at MMOPA's convention in September. Installation will still be a problem as its a multi-person multi-day job to change a windshield on any PA46.

Thanks, I wasn’t aware the MMOPA was the STC holder. Any recommendations on which shops have a reputation for doing windshield replacements well.

Malibu Aerospace is my top choice for PA46 stuff. They are as legit as it gets and know the PA46 better than just about anyone.

Mike

The heated windshield is amazing. They believe that using a reflective sun shade while parked lowers the life expectancy. I would recommend getting a heated windshield (instead of hot plate) and also a plane with no pilot window. Just my 2c.

Val

Val,

Thanks for the advice. By getting a plane with no pilot window, I assume you mean neither a hot plate or the newer heated window. Is that a legal MEL for this aircraft?

John

Same for the TBM windshields, inside shades are strongly discouraged.

Val is talking about the side little window that opens on the pilot side (on side of the plane). You can buy a new pilot side window that does not have the little door in it. The little door can fail and is a maintenance issue.


The heated front pilot windshield is very nice to have and way nicer than the heat plate.


Mike

Val,

Thanks for the advice. By getting a plane with no pilot window, I assume you mean neither a hot plate or the newer heated window. Is that a legal MEL for this aircraft?

John

^^^^

What they all said. Sorry. I wasn’t clear enough. The pilot windows are required and I laughed at the pilot window not being there MEL joke.

Val

I have a hot-plate in good condition from a '86 Malibu for sale.

PM is interested.

Same for the TBM windshields, inside shades are strongly discouraged.

Not to veer too far off topic, but is there an alternate way of shading pa46/TBM windshields if you can't do it inside? Horse blinders/exterior cover I'm guessing?

What is it about the inside shades that harms the windshield? I use an external cover but just curious.

The TBM POH says this:

Do not use solar screens or shields installed on the airplane inside, or leave sun visors down against windshield when airplane on ground. The reflected heat from these items causes a temperature increase which accelerates the crack growth or crazing and may cause the formation of bubbles in the inner layer of multilayer windshields.