Piper PA-46 Malibu/Malibu Mirage

United States of America

Six seat high performance light aircraft

According to Piper the all new PA-46 Malibu was the first pressurised cabin class piston single. It promised to be one of the first of a new generation of light aircraft introduced from the early 1980s before recession and oppressive liability laws in the USA strangled the GA industry. Nevertheless, the PA-46 has sold relatively strongly. Announced in November 1982, the Malibu was intended to compete against Cessna's pressurised P210 Centurion, plus older light business twins. Designed with the aid of CAD/CAM (Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacture), an unpressurized experimental prototype, the PA-46-300T, flew for the first time on November 30, 1979. The prototype for the first production model, the pressurized PA-46-310P, first flew in August 1982. Certification was awarded in September 1983, with production deliveries from that November. Features of the first production model PA-46-310P included the specially developed turbocharged 230kW (310hp) Continental TSIO-520, a high aspect ratio wing, a relatively roomy cabin with club seating for four behind the pilot, a rear airstair style door, IFR avionics as standard, and cabin pressurisation. The improved PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage, first flight December 21, 1987, replaced the 310P Malibu in production from October 1988. The major change introduced on the Malibu Mirage was the 260kW (350hp) Textron Lycoming TIO-540-AE2A, while other changes included a new electrical system and revised interior. Since 1994 New Piper has made a number of minor improvements to the Malibu Mirage including to the brakes, autopilot and air-conditioning. In 1999 the Mirages gained the strengthened wing of the turboprop Malibu Meridian development, allowing an 18kg (40lb) increase in max takeoff weight. The Mirage is also offered with conventional and EFIS avionics packages. Production ceased temporarily in 2001 to allow Piper to concentrate on introducing the Meridian to production, but was later resumed. Production is continuing alongside the turboprop PA-46-500TP Malibu Meridian (see separate entry). A turboprop conversion is available from Jetprop as the DLX (see Malibu Meridian entry).

PA-46-310P - One 230kW (310hp) Continental TSIO-520-BE turbocharged and fuel injected flat six piston engine driving a two blade constant speed Hartzell propeller. PA-46-350P - One 260kW (350hp) Textron Lycoming TIO-540-AE2A.

PA-46-310P - Max speed 434km/h (234kt), max cruising speed 398km/h (215kt), long range cruising speed 363km/h (196kt). Initial rate of climb 1170ft/min. Service ceiling 25,000ft. Max range at long range cruising speed and altitude with reserves 2880km (1555nm). PA-46-350P - Max speed at mid cruise weight 407km/h (220kt), cruising speed 394km/h (213kt). Initial rate of climb 1220ft/min. Service ceiling 25,000ft. Range with max fuel and reserves at normal cruising speed and optimum altitude 1953km (1055nm).

PA-46-310P - Empty 1066kg (2350lb), max takeoff 1860kg (4100lb). PA-46-350P - Empty equipped 1397kg (3080lb), max takeoff 1950kg (4300lb).

PA-46-310P - Wing span 13.11m (43ft 0in), length 8.66m (28ft 5in), height 3.44m (11ft 4in). Wing area 16.3m2 (175sq ft). PA-46-350P - Same except for length 8.81m (28ft 11in).

Typical seating for pilot and five passengers.

PA-46-300T - 1 PA-46-310P - 404 PA-46-350P - 645 by mid 2004

Piper PA-46 Malibu/Malibu Mirage