Brothers Clarence and Gordon Taylor established Taylor Brothers Aircraft in 1927. After about a year, Gordon Taylor passed away, initializing a name change to Taylor Brothers Aircraft Corporation.
The start of the Great Depression caused Taylor Brothers Aircraft Corporation to go out of business, causing Clarence to pull away from his aviation career. After its closure, investor William Piper purchased company assets for $761 in 1930 – equivalent to about $12,335 in the 21st century.
With Clarence’s small two-seat aircraft design, an opportunity arose to gauge public interest in lighter planes. Initially using a 20-horsepower engine, he switched to a 37-horsepower Continental Motors engine for faster performance.
With Clarence’s design in mind, Piper and him began to work together. Through their partnership, the Cub became the aircraft Piper began selling, and its design would eventually become legendary. The Cub’s original engine was named the “tiger kitten” engine. Because of this, it earned its nickname of the “Cub”.
After Piper purchased the rest of Clarence’s shares in the company in the winter of 1935, he changed the name to Piper Aircraft Corporation two years later. Under Piper’s command, Piper Aircraft Corporation produced the J-3 Cub as the L-4 Grasshopper for military use during World War II.
Piper continued to make single-piston aircraft, using the names of legendary native tribes for many of them, including the Apache, Aztec, Cherokee, and Archer. Textron Aviation ended up buying Piper Aircraft 85 years after its founding.
Piper’s Malibu Mirage & Beyond
Derived from the Saratoga, Piper worked to create an upgraded look and feel appearing more sleek and modern inside and out. Initially introduced in the late 1970s, the Malibu Mirage became the third single-engine piston aircraft model with a pressurized cabin on the market, after Mooney’s M22 and Cessna’s P210 Centurion.
Starting in 2015, Piper dropped many of its names and began referring to all Malibu, Mirage, and Meridian models as the Piper M-Class line of aircraft. In addition to several improved safety features over the years, Piper’s M600 remains in production with a base price of $3,605,498. The M600 seats up to six people in total and is powered by a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-42A 600 SHP engine.
Country of Origin: America
Piper Malibu Mirage PA-46 350P Statistics
The following include specs for a 2016 PA-46 350P, better known as Piper’s M600.
- Maximum Speed: 274 ktas
- Maximum Range: 1,484 nm
- Maximum Occupants: 6
- Total Aircraft Build: Unknown
- Registered Aircraft: Unknown
- Useful Load: 2,400 lbs
- Average Days On Market For Sale: 128
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Piper Malibu Mirage PA-46 350P Details
Below includes descriptions for a 2016 Piper Malibu Mirage PA-46 350P, better known as Piper’s M600.
Interior
In addition to overall exterior design changes, Piper’s 2016 variation of the Malibu comes standard with a Garmin G1000 glass cockpit and wider cabin. Other upgrades include easy-to-reach USB charging ports, larger cup holders, and rounded accents, and lower side panels for a sleeker interior look.
Exterior
Piper’s PA-36-350P (M600) is a six-seater, low-wing, single-engine aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear. It’s powered by a Lycoming TIO-540-AE2A engine with 350-horsepower. An upgraded design from its predecessor, the Meridian, it also features a new wing design.
Avionics
- Garmin’s Surface Watch Taxi Safety System
- Iridium Voice & Data Transceiver
- TCAS I Traffic Collision Avoidance System
- GWX 70 Weather Radar
- Deice Boots
- USB Charging Ports
- Aspen Standby Instrument
- Envelope-Protection Safety Features
- Garmin G3000 Suite
- GFC710 Autopilot
Specifications
- Configuration: Single Engine, Pressurized, Retractable Gear
- Max Seats: 6
- Max Takeoff Weight: 4,300 lbs.
- Cruise: 210 kts
- Range: 1,060 nm
- Take Off Run: 1,530 ft.
- Landing Roll: 1,020 ft.
- Wing Span: 43 ft.
- Length: 28 ft. 8 in.
- Height: 11 ft. 6 in.
- Take Off (50 ft.): 2,375 ft.
Piper M-Class Models
The following are variations of the Piper Malibu/Mirage/M-Class series, ranging from 1983 to its current model.
PA-46-310P Malibu
Following its FAA certification in September 1983, Piper began delivering the initial Malibu two years later. This aircraft was equipped with Continental TSIO-520 engines before being replaced in production by the PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage. Piper ultimately discontinued the original Malibu in 1988 following a series of incidents and accidents attributed to engine failure.
PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage
A year after the initial Malibu is discontinued, Piper begins selling its upgraded 1989 Malibu Mirage. Its newest features included a more powerful Lycoming TIO-540-AE2A 350-horsepower engine and a new wing. Earlier Malibu Mirage models featured all-King panels but later became largely taken over by Garmin. The Garmin G1000 glass cockpit is standard in this particular aircraft variation.
The 90s introduced a few changes to this model including a glass-assembled pilot’s windshield, overhead console adjustments, and a stronger wing design for its turboprop sibling.
PA-46-500TP Malibu Meridian
Two variations of the Meridian exist – one is a single-engine aircraft and the other is a turboprop version. After receiving its FAA certification in 2000, Piper began selling the Meridian powered by a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-42A engine.
Piper made several changes to accommodate the Meridian’s turboprop power including larger wing and tail surfaces. By 2009, Piper started offering the Meridian with a three-screen version of the Garmin G1000 including the Garmin GFC 700 autopilot. This new system served as a replacement for the Avidyne Entegra system.
Piper’s turboprop Malibu variation is capable of reaching a maximum speed of about 250 knots or about 288 mph.
M350
Beginning in 2015, Piper Aircraft decided to eliminate the use of the names Malibu, Malibu Mirage, and Malibu Meridian. From this point on, Piper would refer to this series of aircraft as its M-Class line, which is still in production. From this series comes newer additions including the M350, M500, and M600 versions.
Starting with the M350, it’s definitely an updated version of the Mirage with key improvements featuring Garmin’s G1000 NXi flight system, envelope-protection system, and anti-hypoxia tools. Piper’s safety addition meant that the aircraft would initiate an emergency descent in the case that the pilot becomes unable to fly the plane as a result of hypoxia.
Like the Mirage, this aircraft is equipped with a 350-horsepower turbocharged Lycoming TIO-540-AE2A engine and Hartzell three-bladed propeller. It is capable of reaching a maximum speed of 225 knots or about 260 mph.
M500
Featuring the same Garmin G1000 NXi flight system as the M350, this variation is a light plane powered by a turbine Pratt & Whitney PT6A-42A engine. Piper’s M500 can reach a maximum cruise speed of 260 ktas or about 300 mph.
M600
Piper introduces its M600 series in 2015. Impressive features include more power within its turboprop Pratt & Whitney PT6A-42A engine. It is also equipped with Garmin G3000 avionics, a new wing, and more fuel capacity. This variation not only has a little more speed but also offers an improved range from a max of 1,000 nm to 1,658 nm. The M600 also features anti-hypoxia tools in case an emergency decent is needed.
The M600 received its FAA certification in 2016. Starting in 2020, Piper introduced its G3000 integrated avionics for its SLS model, known as its HALO Safety System. This particular system recalibrates the scale of safety using its technology to enhance situational awareness while also providing autonomous safety features that pilots can engage automatically or manually. Piper’s HALO Safety System comes standard on all M600/SLS products.
PA-46R-350T Matrix
Growing from an idea to compete with Cirrus’s SR-22 and Cessna 400, Piper Aircraft announces the Matrix in 2007 delivering aircraft the following year. Its designation as the PA-46R-350T reveals three key aspects of this model. These revelations include retractable landing gear and a 350-horsepower turbocharged Lycoming TI0-540-AE2A engine.
Some of the Matrix’s standard equipment includes a built-in oxygen system, Avidyne Entegra glass cockpit, S-Tec 55X autopilot, and AC. This series also has optional add-ons like a de-ice system, an Enhanced Situational Awareness (ESA) package, speed brakes, an avionics package featuring Avidyne’s TAS610 dual antenna traffic advisory system, and GWX-68 Weather Radar. The Matrix reaches a max speed of 213 knots or about 245 mph.
JetPROP
The JetPROP is an aftermarket turbine engine conversion for the PA-46-310P Malibu and PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage. Offered by Rocket Engineering of Spokane, Washington, it received its certification in 1998 as the JetPROP DLX with a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34 engine. Conversions 90 and above use the P&W PT6A-35 after discontinuation of the -34. By 2003, a lower-cost JetPROP DL version became available using the P&W PT6A-21. By 2008, about 20% of the entire PA-46 fleet have been converted.
ZeroAvia HyFlyer
In an attempt to reduce turbine operating costs by half, ZeroAvia, a UK/U.S. startup, has been working on the development of a Hydrogen fuel cell power train. Following flight tests using a pair of 130 kW (170-horsepower) electric motors to replace the piston engine of a Malibu Mirage in California, UK’s government granted the company £2.7 million ($3.3 million U.S.) for its HyFlyer demonstrator, which ended up producing a 250 to 300 nmi flight using hydrogen fuel cells. As this system develops, potential financial partners that might want in on the action include the Orkney Isles-based EMEC, Cranfield Aerospace Solutions, and fuel-cell developer Intelligent Energy. This prototype took its maiden hydrogen-powered flight starting at Cranfield Airport on September 24, 2020.
Top Piper Malibu Mirage Questions
The following are answers to FAQs about Piper Aircraft’s Malibu Mirage PA-46 350P.
What Is The Difference Between Piper Malibu And Piper Mirage?
The Mirage experience an increase in horsepower by 40 hp. However, it is not truly any faster than the Malibu and climbs at a similar rate. The Mirage burns more fuel, however, its larger engine is also offset by an additional 200 pounds of higher-quality interior features.
What Is The Top Speed Of The Piper Malibu Mirage PA-46 350P?
Piper Aircraft’s Malibu Mirage can reach a max speed of up to 225 knots.
Is The Malibu Mirage Pressurized?
Piper’s Malibu Mirage, now known as the M350, is the last pressurized piston aircraft produced.
What Altitude Can A Piper Mirage Cruise?
The Piper Mirage is capable of cruising at 25,000 feet.
Is The Piper Mirage Still In Production?
Piper’s official Mirage aircraft is no longer in production. However, its M600 variation is still being produced with a max range of 1,300 nm and a max cruise speed of 274 ktas.
Is Piper’s M600 Customizable?
Yes. Buying a new M600 comes with a variety of customization options like additional equipment, package upgrades, and interior and exterior select features.
Optional Additional Equipment:
- GWX 8000 Weather Radar
- Jeppesen ChartView
- TAWS-B (Terrain Awareness and Warning System)
- GDL 69A SXM Satellite Radio & Weather
- GSR 56 Iridium Transceiver
- L3 WX-500 Stormscope
- GTS 855 Traffic Advisory System
- TCAS / ACAS (Includes GTS 825)
- GTX 335 Second Digital Transponder
- GTX 345D Diversity Transponder & GTX 335 Digital Transponder
- ADF Becker RA3502
- DME BendixKing KN 63
- 110 Volt AC Power Outlet
- Lee AeroSpace CoolView Windows
- Hartzell 5-Blade Composite Propeller
- AMSAFE: AmSafe Seatbelts – Pilot and Co-Pilot Positions
- RVSM – Aftermarket Installation
When it comes to its aesthetic, you can choose a combination of up to 3 colors from Piper’s palette and a variety of interior color schemes with leather seating.
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