- 28 Feb 2022
- Mike Chase
- Turboprop Comparisons
The Piper M500 is today one of the flagship aircraft of the brand, taking the well-known family of six-seater turboprops to another level of technological sophistication and comfort.
A Piper M500 costs between $1.75m for a 2016 model, and $2.30m for a 2021 model, according to Aircraft Bluebook’s Autumn 2022 data. Apart from price depreciation over time, the sale price of a Piper M500 could differ from the average for its model year due to a variety of factors, including its maintenance condition, and the time on its engine and airframe, for example.
For many customers, it may make sense to look at other aircraft in the Piper line. This includes older versions of the Meridian, where customers could find strong bargains on the pre-owned market, while still obtaining a high-performing single-engine turboprop. The M600 could also be an option for those who require greater range and an enhanced avionics package.
The G1000 NXi avionics suite sets the Piper M500 apart from the Meridian, with the new system featuring high-resolution dual 10-inch primary flight displays and a high-resolution multi-function display as well as dual core processors. The upgraded avionics feature a number of advanced elements of Garmin software, as well as a GFC700 autopilot system with the enhanced automatic flight control system. The Piper M500 offers a wide range of other improvements, such as a digital pressurization system integrated with the new avionics.
The M600 is essentially an upgraded and enhanced M500 that features a Garmin G3000 avionics suite. While the newer aircraft basically has the same fuselage of the M500, its new wing design allows it to carry more fuel, giving it greater range, additional payload capacity, and a higher Vmo speed. The M600 offers a range of 1,658nm and a maximum payload of 1,200lbs. It also has an additional 100 shaft horsepower, enabling the aircraft to fly nearly 15ktas faster than the M500.
Piper M500 Turboprop Overview
By Gerrard Cowan
The Piper M500 was certified by the FAA in 2016, and is one of Piper’s new M-class series of aircraft, which also includes the piston-powered M350 and the M600. The M500 is the modern equivalent of the PA-46-500TP Malibu Meridian, with Piper opting to change the naming format.
As of September 2022, Piper has built approximately 112 Piper M500s.
What features does the Piper M500 offer?
The M500 has a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-42A 500shp engine, with a range of 1,000nm and a maximum cruise speed of 260ktas. The aircraft also incorporates an enhanced Garmin G1000 NXi avionics suite.
What came before and after the Piper M500?
The Piper M500 is a more advanced version of the Piper Malibu Meridian, which features the same engine as the newer aircraft, and was upgraded to offer the G1000 NXi avionics suite in 2018. The M500 is at the middle point of the Piper M-class range, along with the M350 and the M600/SLS.
With over 25 years of trading, AvBuyer is the primary marketplace for turboprops offering the best new and pre-owned turboprops for sale. You can read the latest edition of AvBuyer magazine online or visit our online actionable intelligence resourceswhich offer insight, market data and analysis from AvBuyer’s editors and leading Biz Av industry experts.