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is piper malibu pressurized

by Bruce Murazik Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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When it first appeared in the mid-1980s, the Piper Malibu was a head turner. Aside from its ramp appeal, pilots were intrigued with its high-flying pressurized cabin, 200-knot cruise speed and its impressive range.

Full Answer

Why was the Piper Malibu So successful?

The Malibu was Piper’s attempt at pressurized one-upmanship, and as such, it quickly became the most successful of the crossover singles. Who would have guessed that when Piper introduced the world’s first $300,000, single-engine airplane that it would eventually be vying for top sales honors among all airplanes, single or twin?

What is the pressurization differential on a Piper Malibu?

The Malibu’s pressurization differential is 5.5 psi, so we’d climb on up to 25,000 feet while the cabin leveled at 8000 feet. By any measure, the big Piper’s pressurization system is several times more useable than that of the P210 and even some twins, including the aforementioned 340.

How much does a Piper Malibu cost in 2020?

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. Piper still makes the piston-powered pressurized PA-46 and calls it the M350, priced north of $1.1 million.

When did the Piper Malibu come out?

Back in 1984, Piper launched the Malibu as the first designed-from-scratch pressurized single. It had all the hallmarks of a great design-a sleek cabin with near-cabin-class room, a long wing ideally suited for high-altitude flight and an unusually fuel-efficient engine that promised a lot of range on relatively little fuel.

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Is 1984 Piper Malibu pressurized?

Arrive feeling less tired with a pressurized cabin altitude of just over 8,000 feet when flying at a maximum cruising altitude of FL250. Regardless of outside air temperature, the Malibu has air conditioning and heating to maintain a comfortable cabin on the ground and in flight.

Is a Piper Malibu Matrix pressurized?

For many pilots, Piper's PA-46 series, which includes the Malibu, Mirage and Matrix (and current M300 series), could very well be the ultimate step-up piston single. Get it up high and the airplane can do an honest 200 knots in pressurized comfort (the simpler Matrix is non-pressurized).

Which Piper is pressurized?

the Piper MirageAbout the Piper Mirage The Piper Mirage is a step up from four-place aircraft. With a convenient airstair door entrance and large cabin volume, the Mirage projects sophistication and is the only pressurized piston-engine aircraft in production today.

Is a Piper Matrix pressurized?

Question: Is the Piper Matrix Pressurized? Answer: No, the Piper Matrix is not a pressurized aircraft. At elevations above 12,000 feet, oxygen masks are required.

Which Malibu is pressurized?

When it first appeared in the mid-1980s, the Piper Malibu was a head turner. Aside from its ramp appeal, pilots were intrigued with its high-flying pressurized cabin, 200-knot cruise speed and its impressive range.

Is Piper Malibu safe?

Although there are countless airplane accidents, structural failure is one of the least common causes. But it has not been a rarity with the Piper Malibu. Since it came to market in 1983, the Malibu and its derivatives have been involved in 12 crashes in which the airplane came apart in midair, killing everyone aboard.

What is the cheapest pressurized airplane?

If pressurization is a must and you cant afford or dont want a twin, the most affordable and practical choice is the Cessna P210. As of spring 2004, used prices on these airplanes range from $176,000 for early models to $290,000 for a 1986 R-model.

Is Piper Mojave pressurized?

But the Mojave not only does everything you've ever wanted a pressurized, cabin-class piston hvm to do. It enjoys the singular advantage of being a Piper.

How fast is a Piper Malibu?

225 knotsOverview. The Piper Malibu Mirage is as close as you can come to a "no excuses" piston single. Its 350-horsepower Lycoming TIO-540 engine lets you cruise at altitudes up to 25,000 feet and true airspeeds as fast as 225 knots.

How much does it cost to operate a Piper Malibu?

Based on 450 annual owner-operated hours and $7.25-per-gallon fuel cost, the PIPER Malibu Mirage G1000 has total variable costs of $165,262.50, total fixed costs of $34,125.00, and an annual budget of $199,387.50. This breaks down to $443.08 per hour.

Is the Piper M350 pressurized?

The Piper M350 is the only current production pressurized piston-engine aircraft available today. It leads the piston pack with an impressive 213 ktas cruising speed, as well as the ability to cruise up to 25,000 ft in pressurized comfort.

How much does a Piper Malibu cost?

Depending on numerous factors, the average price for a pre-owned PIPER Malibu Matrix G1000 is $787,500.00.

What is the difference between a Piper Malibu Matrix and Mirage?

Matrix is unpressurized, and has a lycoming power plant. Mirage is pressurized, with the lycoming powerplant. The Malibu is the original Pa-46 and has the continental powerplant. To the contrary, they are a VERY popular aircraft.

How fast is a Piper Malibu Matrix?

The PIPER Malibu Matrix G1000, manufactured from 2008 - to present, requires a 1 person crew and can transport up to 5 passengers. The aircraft has a maximum operating altitude of 25,000', a normal cruise speed of 203 KTS/233 MPH, and a 926 NM/1,066 SM seats-full range.

Is the Piper M350 pressurized?

The Piper M350 is the only current production pressurized piston-engine aircraft available today. It leads the piston pack with an impressive 213 ktas cruising speed, as well as the ability to cruise up to 25,000 ft in pressurized comfort.

How much does it cost to operate a Piper Malibu?

Based on 450 annual owner-operated hours and $7.25-per-gallon fuel cost, the PIPER Malibu Mirage G1000 has total variable costs of $165,262.50, total fixed costs of $34,125.00, and an annual budget of $199,387.50. This breaks down to $443.08 per hour.

History

The Piper PA-46 Malibu and Matrix are a family of American light aircraft manufactured by Piper Aircraft of Vero Beach, Florida. Early Malibus were all piston-engined, but a turboprop version, introduced as the Malibu Meridian but now called the M500, is also available. Currently, Piper offers the M350, M500, and M600 in the PA-46 family.

Development

Work on the PA-46 began in the late 1970s, with a prototype (the PA-46-300T) first flying on November 30, 1979. The type was announced in November 1982, apparently to compete with Cessna's newest creation of the era, the P210 Centurion.

Further Development

The first example of the initial production version flew in August 1982, and FAA certification was obtained in September 1983. Deliveries started two months later. 404 aircraft with Continental TSIO-520 engines were built before this model was replaced in production by the PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage.

Why did the Malibu have a lean of peak?

Some pilots thought this was just a save-fuel measure and opted to run richer. But because the Malibu didnt have cowl flaps , the lean-of-peak operation was necessary to contain cylinder-head temperatures. Fly the original Malibus engine as you would, say, a T210s, and youre in for big, expensive trouble.

Which is heavier, a turbo or a pressurized airplane?

As a rule, pressurized airplanes are heavier than their turbocharged counterparts and so have lesser climb performance. (This assumes the P-model doesnt pack significantly more horsepower, which is most often true.)

Why are pressurized airplanes not large?

The range of choices in pressurized airplanes is not large, mainly because of limited market demand and the high cost of building them. If you can afford a twin, the universe of pressurized choices is larger but the costs are significantly higher, even for modest airplanes such as the Cessna 340.

Why is it so hard to work on a turbo engine?

On top of that, theres the maintenance issue; for many turbo applications just working on the engine is more difficult because of all the extra hardware.

How high does a turbocharged airplane go?

The key difference is utilization. The typical non-pressurized, turbocharged airplane rarely goes above 10,000 feet unless theres a compelling reason to do so-weather, smooth air, a ripping tailwind-because of the inconvenience of donning an oxygen mask.

When did Cessna drop doors?

Cessna dropped the doors in 1979 and many 1978 models have been similarly modified by STC. Owners say the gear-door models are slightly faster and have marginally better climb. All these first-gen P210s have the capacity to run hot, so a thorough check of baffling and fuel-system calibration is in order.

Do pressurized airplanes go up in altitude?

So as a generalization, pressurized airplanes are considerably more likely to be up in the flight levels on a regular basis.

Ken Ibold Final Approach

What the heck is Piper thinking? The Matrix -- an unpressurized version of the Malibu Mirage -- will be virtually the same as the Mirage except for pressurization -- and will cost $300K less new. IMO, the whole reason to tolerate the Malibu's huge maintenance expense and hassle, not to mention engine quirks, is for the benefit that pressurization bestows.

gibbons En-Route

It doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Remember that I'm the guy who predicted that nobody would pay over $200,000 for a C172 and that Shaq was too slow to make it in the NBA, so my powers of divining aren't too sharp.

Ken Ibold Final Approach

It doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Remember that I'm the guy who predicted that nobody would pay over $200,000 for a C172 and that Shaq was too slow to make it in the NBA, so my powers of divining aren't too sharp.

flyingcheesehead Touchdown! Greaser!

What the heck is Piper thinking? The Matrix -- an unpressurized version of the Malibu Mirage -- will be virtually the same as the Mirage except for pressurization -- and will cost $300K less new.

Ken Ibold Final Approach

Oh, one other thing I noticed: They do not have ONE SINGLE THING at their booth that mentions that they even sell four-seaters any more. The posters start at the top with the Jet and move down through the Meridian, Mirage, Matrix, Saratoga, and 6X. No mention at all of the Arrow, Archer, or Warrior.

Arnold Cleared for Takeoff

The difference between a new Matrix price ($750k) and a good used Navajo price ($250k) buys a huge amount of fuel and maintenance. For around $450k you can get a pristine Navajo - new engines/new paint/new interior/new avionics - and still have $300k left for operations.

Ken Ibold Final Approach

The difference between a new Matrix price ($750k) and a good used Navajo price ($250k) buys a huge amount of fuel and maintenance. For around $450k you can get a pristine Navajo - new engines/new paint/new interior/new avionics - and still have $300k left for operations.

1995 PIPER MALIBU MIRAGE

Very well maintained and clean 1995 Piper Malibu Mirage PA46-350P, 4550 Hours Airframe, 635 Hours Lycoming Factory Overhaul, Garmin 530WAAS, Garmin 430, Traffic, Club Seating, Original Paint & Inte...See More Details

2008 PIPER MALIBU MATRIX

Avionics/Radios: Avidyne FlightMax Entegra Glass Panel 10.4” PFD 10.4” MFD ADAHRS Electronic Approach Charts Dual ...

2008 PIPER MALIBU MATRIX

FRESH ANNUAL currently underway at PIPER SERVICE CENTRE - Fresh Top Overhaul, FIKI, GTX-345, All SBs, ADs, WAAS, Traffic, XM Data Link, Built in O2, Air Conditioning and much more!

2008 PIPER MALIBU MATRIX

2008 Piper Malibu Matrix - 2395 TT, 89 Hours SMOH by Western Skyways, 390 SPOH, DFC-90 Autopilot, Avidyne Entegra Glass Panel, Garmin GTN-650 GPS, Garmin 430W GPS, Garmin GTX-330ES ADS-B OUT Transp...See More Details

1984 PIPER MALIBU

AirplaneIQ proudly present this 1984 Piper Malibu for sale. - Complete and original logs. - Always hangar kept. - Garmin 430 WAAS. - JPI Engine Monitoring Equipment. - ADSB out. - Air Con...See More Details

2012 PIPER MALIBU MATRIX

SALE PENDING, Beautiful, professionally flown Matrix. Only 184 hours on the engine, full Garmin G1000 avionics suite, Always hangared, Paint and Interior in Great Condition.

2013 PIPER MALIBU MIRAGE

2013 Piper Mirage - Ready for delivery with 12/2021 Des Moines Flying Service annual. Excellent Piper Service Center pedigree with 1,700 TTSN, G1000, FIKI, and Synthetic Vision. Complete Log...See More Details

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Url:https://piperowner.org/malibu-310/

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4 hours ago  · The Matrix -- an unpressurized version of the Malibu Mirage -- will be virtually the same as the Mirage except for pressurization -- and will cost $300K less new. IMO, the whole reason to tolerate the Malibu's huge maintenance expense and hassle, not to mention engine quirks, is for the benefit that pressurization bestows.

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