Piper PA-46
The Piper M–Class (PA–46; formerly called the Malibu, Malibu Mirage, Malibu Meridian, and Matrix) is a family of American light aircraft manufactured by Piper Aircraft of Vero Beach, Florida. The aircraft are powered by single engines and have six seats. Twentieth century production of the class was all piston engined (now M350; formerly Malibu, Malibu Mirage), but turboprop versions called the M500 (formerly Malibu Meridian) and M600 are now also available.
| PA–46 / M–Class | |
|---|---|
| PA–46–500TP Malibu Meridian | |
| Role | Light aircraft |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Piper Aircraft |
| First flight | 30 November 1979 |
| Status | In production |
| Produced | 1979—present |
The M350 is the only pressurized piston engined airplane in current production, as of 2024, allowing it an extended range (1,343 nmi) versus the majority of its certified light aircraft peers in addition to a more comfortable cabin experience. It is recognized as one of the safest single-engines to fly by the airplane insurance industry.
FAA certification of the PA–46 Malibu came in 1983, and the aircraft family has seen continuous production for more than four decades since. An updated version of the Malibu called the Malibu Mirage (now M350) replaced its Continental engine with a more reliable (and powerful) Lycoming in 1988. Certification of a turboprop version called the Malibu Meridian (now M500) came in 2000. An unpressurized PA–46, the Matrix, was produced from 2008 to 2015. An extended range version of the M500, called the M600, began production in 2016. A high-performance version of the M600, the M700 Fury, was announced in February 2024.