Piper PA-46

The Piper PA‑46, introduced in 1995 by Piper Aircraft, marked the company’s return to the single‑engine, pressurized market after a long hiatus. Developed from the earlier Piper Malibu, the PA‑46 series originated as a six‑seat, low‑wing monoplane powered by a Lycoming IO‑540 engine delivering 310 hp. Over the years the model evolved through several variants— the PA‑46‑350P Malibu Mirage, the turbo‑charged PA‑46‑350T Malibu Meridian, and the high‑performance PA‑46‑500TP Malibu Turbo—each adding more power, higher cruise speeds, and advanced avionics. Key features include a fully pressurized cabin, retractable landing gear, and a glass cockpit equipped with the Garmin G1000 suite, providing pilots with modern navigation and situational awareness. The aircraft’s composite wing‑fuel tanks and fuel‑efficient turboprop engine offer ranges exceeding 1,500 nautical miles, making it popular for business travel, air‑taxi operations, and personal transportation. Its blend of piston and turboprop options gave owners flexibility rarely seen in the GA sector, and the PA‑46 helped revive interest in high‑performance, single‑engine pressurized aircraft, influencing subsequent designs from both Piper and competitors. The type received FAA certification in 1999 and has accumulated more than 200,000 flight hours worldwide, underscoring its reliability and enduring appeal.

Piper Aircraft

Classification

Production & History

Design & Classification

External References