Rick,

You raise an interesting point. I wonder how many TBM and PC12 have been wrecked by owners. Would that compare favorably with the PA46?

Tim

Great debate. I have discounted the Meridian since I looked over the Matrix. It seemed too much of a squeeze to get in and out. Now I'm considering re-evaluating.

With respect to range, Jason you said you didn't buy the Meridian to fly slow. (A characteristic of people with your name?). Any landing adds a lot of time to a journey. My girlfriend is adept at peeing into a bag, and 3 weeks using a portable toilet in the Grand Canyon makes everyone less bashful. What range can a Meridian get when throttled back? Many airports I fly into have only 100LL, or no fuel at all. This frequently doubles the importance of range.

One thing that worries me with all these turbines is any issues that are done by calendar time. I don't fly many hours, so anything done by calendar is likely to add substantially to my cost per year and per hour flown. What maintenance is dictated by calendar on these turbines?

My low time per year keeps me from twins. View is also an issue that makes most twins less attractive. I've not flown much at O2 levels, the view from 20K feet might reduce my enjoyment, although easily topping summer thermals is an attraction that may girlfriend would endorse enthusiastically.

Someone with a turbine-bonanza mentioned on anther thread that he was charged the piston-rate at many airports, and indicated the difference between it and the turbine-rate was substantial. I imagine Meridian pilots might have a similar experience. Call me cheap, but I hate to pay an unofficial wealth-tax.

Keep in mind that a pt6 will burn 100LL, ever clear, sterno, etc.

If I recall, a pt6 is allowed 100hrs of 100LL per overhaul, ie 4000+ gallons in a meridian so don't feel totally constrained by 100ll only fields

I'm guessing she doesn't know you posted this on the Internet...

I'm guessing she doesn't know you posted this on the Internet...

Avgas burns pretty good also, its 150 hrs total per ovhl in the TBM.

About a month ago I was heading on a trip, I had about 100 gals on board and needed 240 total for the trip. I pumped 70 gls of Jet A1 in the left wing, switch to the right wing and started pumping and my Jet A fuel bulk tank runs empty. Now I was about 65 gals unbalance and maximum takeoff fuel unbalance is 25 gals. No problem. I got some avgas here so I pump 50 gals of 100LL in the right wing.
I taxi and takeoff on the left tank and switch to the right tank in fight, I couldnt see the difference in fuel flow, operating temps etc... The only difference is when I landed my engine stacks were very clean and white from the avgas.
Its nice to have the option and not worry about mixup in fuel blends.

Wow. You learn something everyday; I got mine today on BT.

(I knew it "would" burn it; I just didn't realize it was somewhat "acceptable" to do so.)

From my experience in the TBM it didn't seem hard to land smooth. It actually seemed like a very easy plane to handle in all aspects of flight.

That's a great mission for a Mirage. Is APF-SBN going to be your milk run or just something really important/useful for you? This for football games (i.e. summer) or year round?

Is you wife OK with 5 hour legs?

Tom,
I'm assuming you have kids at ND? Great school. My daughter is a junior in high school. She visited campus last week and loved it!! I do not need a turboprop to make it to South Bend. It's only about 80 miles from my home airport to KSBN. My son is at Penn State and that's about 500nm. I would love the turboprop for that trip!

My wife loved to nap in the back of the Malibu. She'd just curl up across the back two seats. The mirage interior is a bit different - not sure if it's equally usable. I have seen people make a pseudo bed between the middle and back rows -someone on MMOPA could give you details.

What about an older G600 TBM?

Sounds like you have a good mission for a 1000nm plane. I've done a 6 hour leg in a Malibu. My backside was quite sore and my head was killing me from the headset. More than 3 hours does me in. (With a lightspeed - bose or in-ear might be better)

I've gotten quite comfortable using the various portajohn devices. PA46 has a relief tube, but I never wanted to spray the underside of my plane with urine. My wife has an iron bladder - no suggestions on female friendly potties.

One potential plus for the Meridian - if you do a lot of one-stops you have a chance to get really cheap fuel. $4/gal Jet A could change your mind about making a stop.

Tom,

When I was looking at the PA46 there was a used one on the market with an adapter to fill the space between the mid row and back and turn one set of seats into a bed. Did not look very safe for T/O or Landing, but cruise in flight would work. Seller said it was based on the "jet-bed" you see for larger planes and done at a local car shop.

Tim

Michael,

Yes I do. Father was class of '59. Me '83. One sister '87. Next sister '88, first son '09, father again PHD theology at 72 years of age '10 and now a son who is starting his junior year. Only one more son to go who is starting junior year in high school....

It is a great school. We love it. Penn State is great as well....

Now you know why I cannot afford the TBM!

T

What a legacy!! That's awesome. Kid at PSU grew up a ND nut! Unfortunately, was not recruited by the Irish. PSU has its own set of "problems"........but I really like Coach O'Brien. Seems to be a stand up guy.

I'm in the same boat. TBM may be too much of a stretch financially.

Recruited? Long snapper. Nice.
My son is a kicker.

T