The Meridian is a turboprop version of the popular PA-46 Malibu Mirage. The Malibu first flew in 1979 and had excellent performance for a high-performance piston, nearly that of some turboprops. That led some individuals to marry a turboprop engine to the Malibu. New Piper Aircraft started their own turbine-powered version and called it the Meridian.
The Meridian received its certification in the fall of 2000. A Pratt & Whitney PT6A-42A powers the aircraft, which is a de-rated version of the same engine powering the King Air B200. The Meridian’s forte is as a fast personal transport. Its cabin has club seating for four, with a fifth person seated in the co-pilot’s seat.
A separate company, JetPROP LLC, has a turbine conversion to a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34 engine, giving the Malibu owner an aircraft similar to a Meridian.
