Piper Malibu

The Piper PA-46 Malibu, known plainly as the Piper Malibu, is a light aircraft that is manufactured by The New Piper Aircraft Company of the United States. The airplane is powered by a single engine and has the capacity for one pilot and five passengers. Early Malibus were all piston-engined, but a turboprop version the Malibu Meridian is also available. Some owners have converted early Malibus to turboprop power.

The airplane is, according to the Piper Company, the first pressurized cabin class airplane with only one engine. It is sold mainly for civilian customers; small airlines (such as air tour companies) may also include the airplane on their fleet.

Development

Work on the PA-46 began in the late 1970s, with a prototype (the PA-46-300T) first flying on November 30 1979. The type was announced in November 1982, apparently to compete with Cessna's newest creation of the era, the P210 Centurion. Like the Centurion, the Malibu was to feature cabin pressurization, a feature not included on the prototype.

Variants

PA-46-310P Malibu

The first example of the initial production version flew in August 1982, and FAA certification was obtained in September 1983. Deliveries started one month later. 404 aircraft were built before this model was replaced in production by the 350P.

PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage

Production of the Malibu Mirage commenced in October 1988. New features included a more powerful engine and a strengthened wing. This model remains in production as of 2004.

PA-46-500TP Malibu Meridian

In 1997, Piper announced its intention to market a turboprop-powered version of the Malibu, and flew a prototype the following year powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-42A of 400 hp (298 kW). Certification was achieved in September 2000 and deliveries began in November that year. Changes made to allow for turboprop power include larger wings and tail surfaces.

Specifications (PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage)

General Characteristics

Crew: one, pilot
Capacity: five passengers
Length: 28 ft 11 in (8.81 m)
Wingspan: 43 ft 0 in (13.11 m)
Height: 11 ft 4 in (3.44 m)
Wing area: 175 ft² (16.3 m²)
Empty: 3,080 lb (1,397 kg)
Loaded: kg ( lb)
Maximum takeoff: 4,300 lb (1,950 kg)
Powerplant: 1 x Textron Lycoming TIO-540-AE2A, 350 hp (260 kW)

Performance

Maximum speed: 269 mph (430 km/h)
Range: 1,220 miles (1,953 km)
Service ceiling: 25,000 ft (7,622 m)
Rate of climb: 1,220 ft/min (372 m/min)
Wing loading: kg/m² ( lb/ft²)
Power/Mass: