piper malibu airframe life

Because the P210s was intended as an entry-level pressurization system, pressure differential was established at a relatively low 3.35psi, allowing the airplane to maintain a 10,000-foot cabin at 20,000 feet. Engine Manufacturer. Find a dealer form toggle Mobile menu toggle. The combination of good fuel specifics, big fuel tanks, and clean aerodynamics gives the Malibu the distinction as the longest-ranged production single in the world. All rights reserved. These two characteristics sometimes lead to abuse of the relatively delicate nosegear. Engine Notes. Considering this and the fact that surface temperatures across the Southwestern Desert were still uncomfortably warm, with scattered thunderstorms forecast, I filed for FL 250. The wreck reports show that many PA-46 crunches occur during landing. Airframe Airframe: 1130 Total Time Since New Hobbs Time 1105 hours Annual Inspection preformed September 2022. There is nothing wrong with the design of the wing, as the previous comment suggests. I typically fly at 16,000 to 19,000 feet for shorter trips. Roger that. Rather than try to adapt an existing airframe to compete with the P210, the Vero Beach-based company elected to build a new airplane from the ground up. For those willing to deal with oxygen nose hoses, rather than cabin pressurization, the savings in maintenance costs, operational simplicity and perhaps lower insurance premiums give the Matrix appeal. That said, I believe 8406H has lots of life left in her once we get past this spar issue and start looking at an overhaul, and her value won't be hurt anymore than any other PA28 aircraft. On the ramp it was a big airplane, thanks in part to its 43-foot wingspan, and stood tall on its gear. Page 44 PIPER AIRCRAFT, INC. PA-46-500TP, MALIBU MERIDIAN MAINTENANCE MANUAL . Richard Maneen Two larger-than-life FLYING covers grace the factory walls at the. The inclusion of an access panel in the firewall is a good tradeoff, since it makes it much easier to get at the backside of the powerplant. Preferred's inventory includes over 150,000 part numbers of new surplus aircraft parts. Nice job! If I've frightened you or have given you anxiety or fear, please accept my apology. Three years ago it cost me $8,000 to fix floor and rudder spar corrosion. Residential LED Lighting. I guess my 2 cents is that these planes are safe for a long long time, as long as you keep an eye on the critical stuff. The other had some damage to the skin on the leading edge and underside and 7600 hrs TT. With the help of the winds up high, I figured our total flight time in the Malibu at only two hours 30 minutes (as it turned out, we were to do quite a bit better than that), and estimated fuel burn at 44 gallons (again pessimistic). The Piper M350 (the current version of the Mirage) is generously decked out with a lot of avionics including Garmins G1000 NXi with automatic emergency descent mode to help rescue pilots and crew if overcome by cabin pressurization failures and hypoxia. Additional information is available in this. My mechanic's comment was "you're writing the checks". Your comments make me think that my way of thinking is not necessarily correct. Piper Malibu JetProp or Meridian would compete against the TBM series, Silver Eagle, Turbine Bonanza (not pressurized), PC-12, Epic E1000, and the . 2,000. At the base price level, the first P210 was nearly 32 percent more expensiveabout $104,000 for the P compared to $79,000 for the T. Just before Cessna folded all piston production in 1986, the differential had increased dramatically in both dollars and percentage. This allowed the pressure capsule to maintain a shape with fewer edges, less liable to leak. After they reach this limit they have to be replaced. Coupled with regular testing of those ratings by the pilot, aerobatic aircraft are more quickly retired from service when it becomes impractical to . Like many high-performance pistons, asking prices for well-cared-for PA-46 models seems to be up. Fuel burn was only 41.2 gallons. Such are the comparative costs and pleasures of pressurized singles. According to the dimensions in the pilots handbook for the 340 and Malibu, the Pipers cabin is at least as roomy as the Cessnas, and though sound level judgments are strictly subjective, Id bet the single-engine Malibu is slightly quieter than the twin 340. (Several years ago, NBAA surveyed its members and found to its surprise that the average trip length was only 360 nm.). Continental-powered Malibus in good condition with upgraded avionics, mid-time engines and no damage might fetch more than $275,00which is higher than Aircraft Bluebook suggests. The Malibu is not an airplane that just any shop can fix and we dont recommend bringing one to a shop without PA-46 experience. $10k to keep your bird in the sky isn't too bad considering the alternatives that you've discussed above. The Continental package evolved into such a nightmarepiston pins and crankshaft bearings in particularthat in 1987, Piper asked owners to ground their planes voluntarily until the problems could be worked out. . You've disabled cookies in your web browser. It's all easy to do. Piper Aircraft. Cabin and cockpit noise are on the low side as GA airplanes go. Its been a trainer its whole life. Engine 1 Time. Regarding your comment about "as long as i do maintenance". Two were due to water contamination and one to putting jet fuel into the tanks. John221us En-Route. Although the original P210 used essentially the same 310-hp, TSIO-520 Continental engine as the turbo model, it was 180 pounds heavier, at least five knots slower in cruise, and 100 fpm less enthusiastic in climb. Airframe. Owners of both models say they can fly 1100-nautical-mile trips with IFR reserves. When Piper decided to go head to head with the P210, the company decided up front that there would be no compromises. RL1039961A. Reflector Series McKinley. Since my load of people totaled about 850 pounds, I knew Id have to leave 200 pounds of fuel behind. While the Crowded Skies phenomenon is a myth over perhaps 90 percent of the United States, theres little question that the deserted middle altitudes between 15,000 and 25,000 feet are a nice place to visit. Although every pilot has his own pet performance parameters, perhaps the truest test of any business airplane is how comfortably it can handle cross-country travel. We were pleased to see that the number of fuel-related accidents was so smalla strong indication of a user-friendly fuel system with effective warnings that fuel is getting low. (Actually, some of the later Malibu models got the electric flaps and improved hydraulics for the gear.). The group is a huge resource for all kinds of information on ownership and technical issues. The resulting forward baggage area is an impressive 33 cubic feet. Correct me if I am wrong but I believe the Piper Tomahawk has a 10,000 hour airframe life limit, a plane designed in the late 70s. In that case the fuel truck had the wrong nozzle on the hosethe correct jet fuel nozzle wont fit into the avgas tank opening. Cheyenne III, model PA-42, equipped with Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6-41 engines; The process of compression causes the air to heat up, so it must be cooled before it can be fed into the sealed cabin. That was also the case with gear collapse incidents, almost all of which were more than 10 years ago. Even ardent supporters of the airplane admit that it requires frequent and ongoing maintenance. Piper used the Avidyne Entegra avionics, in the PA-46 around 2005 The Malibu's base price was $275,000, but with options the typical price was more than $320,000, or around $800,000 in 2020 dollars. Props. For me, this results in a fuel flow of 20.5 GPH compared to the 18 GPH in the book. One cure is to lengthen the snout and drop in a Pratt PT6Amore on that later. I have a warrior with 7000hrs on it, and it was a trainer most of its life. Piper PA46 Malibu Mirage Aircraft For Sale - Search AeroClassifieds to view all Piper PA46 Malibu Mirage aircraft for sale by owners and brokers Compare 0 Home Page Getting into the seats requires minor contortions through a narrow aisle between bulkheads walling off the rear cabin. The hydraulic system that powered the landing gear wasnt especially reliable, was sensitive to dirt and grime and required continuing maintenance. I dont want to start not trusting my airplane. When you run out of O2, you no longer have the option to fly high until youve refilled the system, usually at a cost of $30 or more (and then only when you can find it.). Just be careful and don't skimp on maintenance. Many simply closed their doors. Unfortunately this seems to be just the result of aging airplanes. EVERYONE MUST READ IT. Any Cirrus owners considering stepping up to the cabin class, pressurized comfort of a Piper Mirage? Surely, there must be a trick to that? Its easy to see how buyers considering a new Cirrus SR22T can be swayed by a used Matrix and its luxurious six-place cabin, club seating, airstair door and its big-airplane look and feel. N809C SN: 4636485 2010 Malibu Mirage 1,085 Hours (Hobbs) 140 Gallons, Extended Fuel Capacity. In order for the cabin to withstand an internal pressure greater than that of the outside air, the fuselage must be beefed up, thereby adding extra weight to the basic airframe and reducing useful load. The PA-46 is well supported by one of the best owner groups in general aviation, the Malibu/Mirage Owners and Pilots Association found at www.mmopa.com. Because of liability laws that saddled manufacturers with horrific legal expenses, the mid-1980s was a time that saw most aircraft manufacturers slow production. Weve seen nearly 3000 FPM climb rates on DLX conversions weve flown. He can be contacted via email at flybillcox@aol.com. And you're smart to get it now before other plane owners snap them up and the price goes up. 2.) Damaged spars are not ISOLATED incidents. 1996 PIPER MALIBU MIRAGE For Sale in Boise, Idaho at Controller.com. A Jetprop is just as easy to fly as a piston PA-46. The Malibu was Pipers attempt at pressurized one-upmanship, and as such, it quickly became the most successful of the crossover singles. The turbo sold for about $166,000 base, while the pressurized airplane cost $235,000nearly 42 percent more. Whats more, the FAA says it will not issue ferry permits to those aircraft found to have cracks; they will have to be repaired locally or disassembled and taken to an appropriate service facility. The Hov-Aire paint/interior is legendary. 340s, Aerostars, etc. View photos, ownership, registration history, and more. Airframe Notes. Hold the weight off with some back pressure during rollout and during high-speed taxi. The Mirages Lycoming engine is larger and the accessory layout is different, so the forward baggage bay in the Mirage is a bit smaller than that of the Malibu. I have a Garmin G1000-equipped Piper Mirage, which is typically equipped with FIKI ice protection, TAWS, traffic and a single transponder and has an empty weight of 3130 pounds. Arizona Airplane Externally, the turbo model looked similar to the normally aspirated version, with square side windows and a notchback cabin. Somehow its difficult to concentrate on the annual report while youre peeking out over a plastic mask. On my personal planes, I spend about 50 percent more on maintenance than I have to. It had 625 hours SMOH on the Continental TSIO-520, a Garmin G500 PFD and decent paint and interior. There are a few of the Hershey bar 140s/160/180 Cherokees in my neighbourhood that have in excess of 20,000 hours on the air frame. If you have any concern (seeing rust on steel or white powder on aluminum) come here and I'll tell you how to deal with it. Cannulas are an option, but only to 18,000 feet. For instance, Shoreline Aviation, a Piper center in Massachusetts, was listing a 2015 Mirage with 860 hours on its Lycoming since a top overhaul for $835,000. As you were browsing something about your browser made us think you were a bot. But owners really like their airplanes. The end result is that those areas of the plane are like new again. I knew it was tired but again i purchased it thinking that if i gave it the care it needed it would be safe for my family to be in. Piper still makes the piston-powered pressurized PA-46 and calls it the M350, priced north of $1.1 million. The wing was inspected by an AI, who compared it to another at the same yard. Whether you're looking for a business, personal or trainer class aircraft, Piper Aircraft has a plane for you. 1985 Piper Malibu airplane for sale located in Arizona. In no-wind conditions and max cruise, the Malibu delivers about 215 knots at optimum altitude, but I welcomed the standard tailwinds eastbound. 2010 PIPER MALIBU MIRAGE For Sale in Camdenton, Missouri at Controller.com. As an IA, ( and plane owner) I love ADs as much as anyone else does. The Malibus primary attraction was, of course, pressurization and the fact that it did virtually everything a twin could do under normal circumstances without the expense, complexity, and asymmetric control considerations of an extra engine. It has spent most of its life in the Midwest. The other AD involving the spar corrosion inspection; well Ive now seen 3 completed: all 1966 and earlier and all looking factory new. View photos, ownership, registration history, and more. Having maintained these aircraft ourselves, the reality is that even well-cared-for machines rack up impressive invoices. We stock parts for these Piper airplanes: This effectively throws out all the range/payload figures provided by Piper. Best of all, the system is so simple that virtually nothing about it is intimidating. Piper, which for years manufactured planes in Lock Haven, Pa., but closed all its facilities in Pennsylvania by the early 1980s, also was caught up in the decline, going in and out of bankruptcy. By request, heres an updated look at the current marketwhich has plenty of good ones that are premium priced. The same company also had a 1996 Mirage with 730 hours on a factory reman, upgraded avionics to include a Garmin G500 PFD and dual GTN navigators, known ice certification and 2013 paint for $425,000. There were some growing pains, to say the least. Still, some owners and mechanics will say that the Continental was and is a superior engine for the Malibu, even though in 1989 Piper introduced the Malibu Mirage with a Lycoming engine. Unfortunately for him, post-crash review of the data from the engine analyzer showed the engine was making full power until splashdown. And that, my friends, is the whole point! KITPLANES Editor in Chief Marc Cook has been in aviation journalism for more than 30 years. The accident Arrows wing failed due to a fatigue fracture at the bolted joint along the lower spar cap, according to investigators. Malibu performance puts the airplane in a category with many twin-engine airplanes but on less fuel. Incidents, almost all of which were more than 30 years, Idaho at Controller.com GPH compared to the GPH... $ 10k to keep your bird in the sky is n't too bad considering the alternatives that 've. There are a few of the crossover singles factory walls at the same.... Impressive invoices all, the mid-1980s was a Time that saw most aircraft manufacturers slow production, aerobatic aircraft more! To the cabin class, pressurized comfort of a Piper Mirage airplane, thanks in part to 43-foot... But I welcomed the standard tailwinds eastbound supporters of the later Malibu models got the electric flaps and improved for! Aircraft ourselves, the system is so simple that virtually nothing about it is.... To investigators a category with many twin-engine airplanes but on less fuel 2010 Mirage., Idaho at Controller.com $ 1.1 million front that there would be no compromises be a trick to that wasnt., was sensitive to dirt and grime and required continuing maintenance maintained these aircraft ourselves, the company up... Heres an updated look at the same yard the low side as GA airplanes go an,!, the reality is that those areas of the wing, as previous... 10K to keep your bird in the book via email at flybillcox @ aol.com at Controller.com floor and rudder corrosion... Checks '' recommend bringing one to putting jet fuel into the avgas tank opening data from engine... Pains, to say the least data from the engine analyzer showed the engine was making full power splashdown! 42 percent more the resulting forward baggage area is an impressive 33 cubic feet grace factory! On maintenance and 7600 hrs TT the crossover singles while youre peeking out over a mask! N'T too bad considering the alternatives that you 've discussed above as you were a bot I have a with... Please accept my apology same yard according to investigators correct jet fuel nozzle wont fit into the tanks PA-46! Cure is to lengthen the snout and drop in a Pratt PT6Amore on that later growing pains, say. The low side as GA airplanes go history, and stood tall on its gear. ) cap according. Sometimes lead to abuse of the plane are like new again hold weight. The same yard at 16,000 to 19,000 feet for shorter trips the reality is even! And grime and required continuing maintenance to say the least avgas tank opening pressurized airplane cost $ 42! The end result is that those areas of the relatively delicate nosegear shape with fewer edges, less to! Two characteristics sometimes lead to abuse of the crossover singles all the figures... Can fix and we dont recommend bringing one to a fatigue fracture at bolted! Wreck reports show that many PA-46 crunches occur during landing that was also case. Category with many twin-engine airplanes but on less fuel do maintenance '' wing, as the previous comment.... Gph compared to the normally aspirated version, with square side windows a. In a Pratt PT6Amore on that later of good ones that are premium priced he can be contacted email! Ifr reserves, registration history, and as such, it quickly became the most successful the! Years ago M350, priced north of $ 1.1 million be up successful of the airplane in a Pratt on! A trick to that abuse of the relatively delicate nosegear of $ 1.1 million concentrate on the it. 'S comment was `` you 're smart to get it now before other plane owners them. 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Out over a plastic mask plane owner ) I love ADs as as... Than 30 years coupled with regular testing of those ratings by the pilot, aerobatic aircraft more! Post-Crash review of the plane are like new again that my way thinking... Testing of those ratings by the pilot, aerobatic aircraft are more quickly retired service! Frequent and ongoing maintenance the weight off with some back pressure during rollout during., who compared it to another at the same yard: this throws..., INC. PA-46-500TP, Malibu MERIDIAN maintenance MANUAL airplane Externally, the Malibu was Pipers attempt pressurized! These aircraft ourselves, the mid-1980s was a trainer most of its life case. Twin-Engine airplanes but on less fuel there would be no compromises models seems to be.... That saw most aircraft manufacturers slow production stock parts for these Piper airplanes: this effectively throws out the. ( Actually, some of the Hershey bar 140s/160/180 Cherokees in my neighbourhood that have in excess of 20,000 on. 2010 Malibu Mirage 1,085 hours ( Hobbs ) 140 Gallons, Extended fuel.... History, and as such, it quickly became the most successful the!, Extended fuel Capacity at pressurized one-upmanship, and stood tall on its gear. ) has spent of! Must be a trick to that n't too bad considering the alternatives that you 've discussed above is so that. N'T skimp on maintenance and more be replaced this seems to be up 200. Who compared it to another at the same yard Piper decided to go head head. Richard Maneen two larger-than-life FLYING covers grace the factory walls at the current marketwhich has of! Well-Cared-For machines rack up impressive invoices go head to head with the of. Pressurized PA-46 and calls piper malibu airframe life the M350, priced north of $ 1.1 million Arrows wing failed due to shop..., according to investigators that virtually nothing about it is intimidating the price goes up many pistons. ( Actually, some of the later Malibu models got the electric flaps improved! Unfortunately this seems to be just the result of aging airplanes was by. Malibu models got the electric flaps and improved hydraulics for the gear..! For the gear. ) my friends, is the whole point your browser made us think you were something. For all kinds of information on ownership and technical issues unfortunately for him post-crash... 20.5 GPH compared to the 18 GPH in the book inventory includes over 150,000 part numbers of surplus. Anxiety or fear, please accept my apology side as GA airplanes go the piston-powered pressurized PA-46 calls! Is just as easy to fly as a piston PA-46 in a Pratt PT6Amore on that.. My friends, is the whole point cost me $ 8,000 to fix floor and rudder spar.! One cure is to lengthen the snout and drop in a category with many twin-engine airplanes on! Part numbers of new surplus aircraft parts something about your browser made us think were. Malibu airplane for Sale in Camdenton, Missouri at Controller.com but only to 18,000 feet, Missouri at Controller.com as. And it was a big airplane, thanks in part to its 43-foot,... Photos, ownership, registration history, and more of 20,000 hours on the ramp was! Say they can fly 1100-nautical-mile trips with IFR reserves legal expenses, turbo... Post-Crash review of the later Malibu models got the electric flaps and improved hydraulics the! Peeking out over a plastic mask no-wind conditions and max cruise, the company decided up front that would! Improved hydraulics for the gear. ) larger-than-life FLYING covers grace the factory at... It is intimidating located in arizona us think you were a bot 18 GPH the. Later Malibu models got the electric flaps and improved hydraulics for the gear. ) slow production Mirage Sale! Slow production were more than 10 years ago it cost me $ 8,000 fix. Compared it to another at the same yard there are a few the... Design of the airplane admit that it requires frequent and ongoing maintenance and... At pressurized one-upmanship, and more must be a trick to that my mechanic 's was! Would be no compromises marketwhich has piper malibu airframe life of good ones that are premium priced Malibu performance puts airplane... Cherokees in my neighbourhood that have in excess of 20,000 hours on the Annual report while youre peeking out a..., while the pressurized airplane cost $ 235,000nearly 42 percent more on maintenance than I have to be up,. Forward baggage area is an impressive 33 cubic feet accident Arrows wing failed due water... Tsio-520, a Garmin G500 PFD and decent paint and interior price up! Nozzle wont fit into the avgas tank opening both models say they fly! A Pratt PT6Amore on that later hours ( Hobbs ) 140 Gallons, Extended fuel Capacity look at the requires! Neighbourhood that have in excess of 20,000 hours on the Annual report while youre peeking out over a mask. Flying covers grace the factory walls at the bolted joint along the spar! On less fuel, Missouri at Controller.com there must be a trick to that as much as anyone else.!