Michael, I have experience flying both a Piper Meridian and the PC12. My flying on the PC12 was before the Meridian, and I was a much lower time pilot when I started flying the PC12.

Don't believe that the M600 is easier to fly than the PC12 because of its size. In some ways, I feel the PC12 was actually easier than the Meridian, especially on ground handling. The PC12 is an extremely stable platform. At the end of the day, the decision making is what will most likely get you hurt, and it won't matter whether you are in a TBM, M600, or PC12..

The Meridian has been less expensive than the PC12. But, they are frankly an apples and oranges comparison. If you need the seats, you can't beat the PC12.

Feel free to shoot me a message and I'll try and answer any questions that you have regarding my experience with Piper and Pilatus.

Some of our recent trips in a TBM850. 900 series are a tad faster and don’t have a speed restriction for ice door use.
Top two are about 930 SM trips.

I’ve been following this thread with interest. I do not have any experience with the meridian but have about 1000 hours in TBMs. I agree all three have different missions.
90% of my flying is just myself and my wife. TBM is perfect. PC 12 would be a great bird if we needed more seats, haul more stuff or needed longer legs. Bathroom in the TBM is kinda a circus........I’ve never seen one in an actual TBM. Im ok with no bathroom......after 3-4 hours I’m ready for a break regardless. Did 4 hours back from Florida yesterday.......I was ready to land by then.

That's because you needed to pee

Piper builds a great airplane, and I like the new M500/M600.

However, TBM / PC12 are not in the same category as the M600. They are tanks- built like military gear.

An 800 mile trip takes 2+55 vs 2+37; 18 minutes difference (it may be more as I'm using TBM850 numbers). 850 gets 305-315 true, 900s see 315-325.

The TBM is like a Ferrari SUV; incredibly well built, and incredibly fast; not crowded, but not large. We would have no trouble in the TBM with 3 adults and 3 kids (even 5 adults). I have seen the demo of the TBM lav, it's absolutely enough to get the job done, but it's a 90k option that we've never needed. the plane is so fast you don't need the lav. However, the PC12 is clearly more luxurious for passengers. It's a mini-airliner.

I believe the PC12 costs more to maintain (specialized equipment needed for annuals, different avionics), but has a better mishap track-record (they tend to be corporate flown rather than owner flown); however the TBM is an incredibly easy airplane to fly and master.

either way- send pics of what you end up getting!

That's because you needed to pee

My main mission is 2.5-3 hours and we have had someone use our lav at least 5 times in the My Mother would not fly with me in my PA-46 as she was afraid she would need to use the Lav and we didn't have one. She will fly in our 421 and isn't worried about the Lav anymore. She has yet to use it but the fact that it's there is the difference between her flying with me or not.

I will usually use a Pee bag (the kind with the baby diaper pellets that absorb the fluid) at 3 hours or so. Could I hold it and make it yes but coming into busy airspace the last thing I need is the distraction of needing to pee.


having a proper Lav is the difference between a small plane and a small airliner.

If I was spending $3.5M I would for damn sure have a proper Lav.

Mike

I love having a lav.

Both the TBM and the PC-12 are considerably more expensive to acquire, operate, and maintain than a Meridian. Those extra seats or a bit more speed don't come without a considerable increase in cost. People are right in their apples to oranges comparison. You can't itemize the pros without the cons.

What is it about the PA-46 turbine series which is less expensive to "operate and maintain" than the TBM or PC-12 series?

Cost per mile in gas? Fixed costs? MX schedule (hours vs calendar items)? I see this mentioned a lot but never expounded upon.

-J

38 gallons per hour versus 55-60 gallons per hour for fuel.

P46T is maintained on an annual inspection basis, same as all pistons. No phase inspections. Gear overhauls on the TBM I I understand are very expensive. My Meridian annuals are $15-25k which includes optional items. Based inspection fee is $6500 I believe. Here is a previous thread on this topic: viewtopic.php?t=135310

38 gallons per hour versus 55-60 gallons per hour for fuel.

P46T is maintained on an annual inspection basis, same as all pistons. No phase inspections. Gear overhauls on the TBM I I understand are very expensive. My Meridian annuals are $15-25k which includes optional items. Based inspection fee is $6500 I believe. Here is a previous thread on this topic: viewtopic.php?t=135310

If you factor in how much cheaper Jet-A is versus 100LL I think you may be right. Cost per NM may be cheaper in the Meridian than your Baron.

ironically, if I fly the TBM at 44gph, I get the same TAS as I did in my C340 (200 true), for the exact same 44gph.

and yes- jet fuel is way cheaper.