Piper hit on a winning formula when it yanked the pressurization out of the Mirage. Pipers survey predicted that the Matrix would attract the owners of some turbocharged Cirrus and Cessnas (182, 206 and Columbia) who wanted more capability without losing much speed and didnt want to make the price leap to pressurization or turbines. However, we did hit our head on the ceiling enough to wish for more headroom. ): 47 6250 lbs. • Std. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. Maximum range was expected to be 1,300 nautical miles (2,407.6 km), with a full-fuel payload of 800 pounds. Not the Matrix. Full-fuel payload for the M600 is 645 lb (293 kg) compared to 550 lb (250 kg) for the M500. As with other heavy, high- performance singles, unless youre making. The Piper PA-46 Malibu and Matrix are a family of American light aircraft manufactured by Piper Aircraft of Vero Beach, Florida. While that will certainly extend the range, we’re not sure how many owners would fly a $1 million airplane at 140 knots just to save a few bucks on gas. The two wing tanks hold a total of 120 usable gallons, with the fuel selector lever hidden behind the control yoke. In the airplane we tested, that meant that 1052 pounds (five big folks and some luggage) could be carried and the remaining allowable 235 pounds would have to be fuel, about 39 gallons. 4100 lbs. The company produced 101 Matrix aircraft the first year, but that fall, when the financial meltdown occurred, sales nosedived. Schedule a Demo Flight. As has been our experience with current production Pipers, speed was exactly on the book while fuel flow was one GPH higher than book. Slow flight was as easy as it gets, although in an era when electric pitch trim has been slowed due to certification requirements, there were times that trim seemed too slow during speed and configuration changes. In low-altitude turbulence, the airplane wagged its tail somewhat, although not enough for us to feel a yaw damper is needed. As an OEM, Piper cant publish. The rules clearly state that automobiles and airplanes are to get bigger, heavier, more complicated and less efficient as the production years pass. The Matrix is happy here and will turn in 180 to 190 knots on about 18 GPH, at what Piper calls normal cruise. Make: Piper, Model: Malibu / Mirage / Matrix, Year built: 2008, Registration No. Aside from its ramp appeal, it has a high-flying pressurized cabin, 200-knot cruise speed and its impressive range. With six aboard, the fuel load can be 36 gallons, but will bump above the zero fuel weight, unless the passengers are especially svelte or kids. Thanks to glass, the basic panel is free of clutter, with the G1000’s three screens dominating the panel, the gear switch in easy reach and breakers on the lower left panel and left sidewall. Perhaps the first inch of excess MAP should be annunciated in yellow, rather than red. Specifications. We’re not sure if the engine will run well lean of peak if the fueling is tweaked. From a crashworthiness standpoint, all seats have three-point harnesses and the fuel tanks are well out in the wings. Once the flaps are retracted and Vy of 110 KIAS is reached, the rate of climb rapidly increases to well over 1000 FPM. As a result, it has a great air conditioner that cools the cabin quickly. Piper and dealers tell us there’s a slight cost savings in reduced maintenance and the slight payload advantage of the Matrix over the Mirage is a plus. The 28-volt, split-bus, electrical system is fed by dual 75-amp alternators with a 16-amp-hour battery for backup power. Cirrus owners stepping up—depending on the model—aren’t getting much of a speed bump in the Matrix. By carefully removing pressurization equipment and nonstructural portions of the pressure vessel and slightly simplifying avionics, Piper knocked some 150 pounds off the empty weight and a staggering $385,000 off the price. Further, overhead switches are just hard to see and read and theres plenty of panel space to mount them there. Piper has adhered to the secret of general aviation marketing: Find a niche and fill it before someone else does. Theres more than adequate rudder authority on the takeoff roll and tracking is smooth. To the extent market history exists for such a decision, its lousy. Maximum Payload: 1,200 LBS. The offender-Piper-has created a very good airplane thats selling as fast as it can be built. Speed brakes are an option, but the wheels can do the trick. But once the muscle memory is ingrained, it’s doable. We observed the climb rate to stabilize at just over 1100 FPM and the airplane to fly hands off. Closer inspection reveals the absence of a forward pressure bulkhead and a 13 cubic foot nose baggage area limited to 100 pounds. That’s about 3.5 hours with minimal reserve for about 650 miles of still-air range. In 2008, the introductory year, the Matrix outsold the Mirage five to one because, dealers say, it had a substantially lower price. During climb, we found the S-TEC autopilot accurately held selected rates of climb, which were easily programmed through the integrated Avidyne system. Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. In 1980, Cessna produced an unpressurized version of the Model 340A, the 335, which did poorly and was dropped after only one year of production. The Piper Malibu-Mirage is a head turner. LANDING WEIGHT 4100 lbs. The airplane flies off at 80 to 85 KIAS. Westbound in the winter in a 260-knot turbine is just painful,” Jones says. So much for price sensitivity. Frankly, we didnt think there would be a market for an unpressurized version of the Mirage, but Piper has proven otherwise. Piper PA-46T (M350 / M500 / M600 / Malibu / Matrix /Meridian) erik.santini@i… Fri, 06/19/2020 – 16:30 The PA-46 is a series of single-engine piston and turboprop airplanes produced by Vero Beach, Florida-based Piper Aircraft. Internal baggage capac… For adults, the Matrix is a good three- or four-person airplane with 1000-mile plus range. Fuel capacity: 120 GAL. glide path and considers weather conditions en route to the nearest safe runway. © Belvoir Media Group, LLC. The sight picture gives the impression of the prop being a long way forward—it is—and with the baggage between you and the engine, the cabin is quiet. PAYLOAD 356 lbs. The original Malibu had its primary electrical switches as rockers right on the panel, but with the Mirage and Matrix, Piper moved them to the overhead. Piper’s M600 is ideal for an owner pilot transitioning out of a piston-engine-powered aircraft or for a corporate flight department needing short-hop or short-field supplemental lift. On the ramp, the only giveaway that the airplane youre facing is a Matrix rather than a Mirage is that it has slightly bigger windows. Piper Malibu Mirage Performance and Specifications . The POH calls for holding the brakes and setting max power, 42 inches and 2500 RPM before brake release. 04 Feb 2010, 14:28. Well go out on a limb and opine that if Piper can drag Lycoming kicking and screaming into the 21st century and publish lean-of-peak operating data to reduce engine operating temperatures and cut fuel burn, the airplane will make the leap from good to great. 200-Knot Buzzkill: MX, Insurance Realities. At FL200, it will true about 195 knots at normal cruise or 150 knots at economy cruise. It’s now about $150,000—still less money, but less of a no-brainer decision against the Mirage. All rights reserved. Engine data from Lycoming and used by Piper in the POH allows a max CHT of 500 degrees, which we feel is at least 70 degrees higher than anyone should allow in a climb to assure engine longevity. While there isnt a potty, there is a relief tube. / 454 Liters Weights • Maximum Takeoff Weight: 4,340 lbs. The survey proved to be conservative as, to date, some 25 Matrix buyers are moving up from Cirrus aircraft. PHASE 4 : Safely Lands and Shuts Down Once Autoland has landed the aircraft, the braking system will be activated and will bring the aircraft to a full and complete stop. If not, bring someone who is. With all 720 pounds of fuel in the tanks, 567 pounds of people and stuff can go into the cabin. Piper took a risk in creating a simplified, unpressurized version of its decades-old Malibu/Mirage. 100/100 lbs. The airplane we tested, equipped with known icing and speed brakes, had an empty weight of 3071 pounds. Getting into the cockpit is a squeeze, especially for tall pilots or those large of girth. What we mistakenly discounted was the large price Delta between the two models. The max gear extension speed is 165 knots and once the wheels are out, you can fly up to 195 KIAS, just 3 knots below Vne. Like the Cen­tu­rion, the Mal­ibu was to fea­ture cabin pres­sur­iza­tion (5.5 psi), a fea­ture not in­cluded on the pro­to­type. Wingspan: 38’ 10” Overall length: 28’ 7” Height: 9’ 11” For the 2012 model and since 2011, the Matrix has Garmin’s G1000 avionics, with two PFDs and a central 15-inch MFD with a keypad control panel that resides in a new extension of the power pedestal. He lives in Denver. Not the best solution, in our view, but at least they’re placed forward enough to be easily readable. Long-range cruise gives 1343 miles at 130 knots. While going high gives impressive speed and IFR range, the limiting factor is the 50-cubic-foot internal oxygen system, which has only 3.1 hours for three people at FL200. 288 We continue to be baffled by Lycomings resistance to this well-established trend. Useful Load – 1421 lbs. Payload, Range, The value of Pipers aggressive weight savings showed as we worked some sample weight and balance problems. Fit and finish of the airplane, both inside and out, are excellent and this shows on the clamshell airstair door, which is solid and attractive and should hold up well in service. Go look it up. The air conditioning in the airplane we flew was welcome on a hot Florida day in August. Early Malibus were all piston-engined, but a turboprop version, introduc translates to five-plus hours to dry tanks. • Engine - Textron Lycoming TIO-540-AE2A • Horsepower – 350 • TBO – 2000 hours • Fuel Type – 100/100LL • Propeller – 3-Blade Hartzell • Landing Gear – Tricycle/Retractable • Max Ramp Weight – 4358 lbs. As far as operating the airplane itself, getting past the complexity barrier of the G1000 is probably the most challenging task. Why anyone would operate the airplane at reduced power eludes us. With full fuel and two 200-pounders up front, the test airplane was 167 pounds below max ramp weight and slightly out of CG forward, but easily corrected with a briefcase behind the rear seats. ): 669: Wingspan (ft.): 43: Overall length: 28 ft. 11 in. ConclusionAlthough the reduced price difference between the Matrix and the Mirage makes it less of a value than it once was, we think it’s still an impressive performer for step-up owners who don’t want to fool with pressurization and/or who aren’t customers for a single-engine turboprop. Early Malibus were all piston-engined, … The high-aspect ratio wings are equipped with optional speed brakes and the airplane needs them, because even in the non-pressurized version, it’s often asked to come down fast from on high. The Piper Matrix is un-American. Piper also spent money on market surveys to assess demand for the proposed airplane as well as the right price point. And without the weight of cabin plumbing, it has slightly better payload. This website contains many older reviews. Marathon Key gleams in the late-afternoon sunshine. Even though it’s not exceptionally thirsty, the Matrix tankers a lot of fuel—122 gallons total in two wing tanks, with only two gallons unusable. The Lycoming TIO-540-AE2A isn’t one of GA’s most fuel-efficient engines, so it will give up two or three gallons to the large-displacement Continental equivalents. Families with kids in the 75-pound weight range will be able to fill the seats, carry all the stuff and take nearly full fuel. (General Aviation Modifications, Inc., does offer GAMIjectors for this engine.). The aircraft is powered by a single engine and has the capacity for one pilot and five passengers. It was to be capable of carrying up to 7 passengers and cruise at 360 knots (666.7 km/h), at a maximum altitude of 35,000 feet (10,668.0 m). The original Matrix we flew in 2008 had an empty weight of 3071 pounds against 3121 for the 2012 model, which was equipped with air conditioning. However, and inexplicably, it would mean running the tanks dry before landing as the max landing weight is precisely the same as the zero fuel weight, making the real-world zero fuel weight something less if one wants to touch down with the engine running. In southern climates, this is almost a must-have because unlike other singles, you can’t open a door to drink in the prop blast. We should point out that Piper engineers apparently believe that no one weighing over 170 pounds will be flying in the Matrix as the graphs for passenger weights dont go above 340 pounds per row of seats, a strange shortcoming in the POH. The lower price is one, but the Matrix delivers equivalent performance to the Mirage, without the complexity of pressurization. : N194ED, TTAF: 750 h lean-of-peak operational data in the POH because Lycoming wont authorize it. The POH doesn’t publish any lean-of-peak settings, but recommends lean to peak against a 1760 TIT limit. Flying with Piper’s Bart Jones, we did some slow flight and maneuvering and for a 4000-pound airplane, the Matrix is surprisingly light on its feet. Were impressed. Performance Parameters and Weights: Cruises FL120 with 185KTAS using 18GAL/h 1000nm IFR range plus reserve or 1100nm range VFR. In 2008, a new Mirage sold for $1.1 million against $785,000 for the Matrix. What’s the appeal? Piper has stuck with the Avidyne Entegra for the Matrix-a good choice. Go look it up. Payload w/full fuel: 678 lb: Payload w/full fuel, as tested: 585 lb: Max takeoff weight: 4,340 lb: Max landing weight: 4,123 lb: Max zero fuel weight: 4,123 lb: Fuel capacity, std: 122 gal (120 gal usable) 732 lb (720 lb usable) Oil capacity: 12 qt: Baggage capacity: Forward 100 lb, 13 cu ft Aft 100 lb, 20 cu ft: Performance; Takeoff distance, ground roll: 1,087 ft With four seats filled and 100 pounds of bags, the airplane has payload left for 76 gallons of fuel. This provides a nice way to solve balance issues as well as providing storage volume for families with lots of stuff that doesnt weigh much. The first notch of flaps can go out at 165 knots, too. The rules clearly state that automobiles and airplanes are to get bigger, heavier, more complicated and less efficient as the production years pass. The long nose made picking a precise pitch attitude easier than in most airplanes, so maneuvering proved enjoyable, especially with the crisp roll rate. FUEL CAPACITY 151.1 gallons 120 gallons 170 gallons 282 gallons NOISE LEVEL db 69 n/a 73.7 73.9 OPERATING COSTS/Hour $190 $205 $265 $290 FUEL COST nm@ $2.50/g $ .33 $ .30 $ .39 $ .46 Cars outgrow garages and airplanes lose useful load. It’s not hard, but the wingspan is 43 feet, so you need to pay attention on the ramp and taxiways to avoid catching a wing or a snowdrift. To the extent market history exists for such a decision, its lousy. 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Squeeze, especially for low-time pilots era, the P210 Cen­tu­rion inches tall )... Heavy for a 40-knot give-up in speed getting into the wind because lower... Equivalent fuel economy with about 50 more pounds of bags, the we! 16-Amp-Hour battery for backup power hamstrings Piper ; the company produced 101 Matrix aircraft first. Are typically hobbled by low gear and flap extension and retraction, created only minor pitch changes and all were... Engine. ) degrees, which we consider serious head-knockers lean to peak a! Pro­To­Type ( the reviewing pilot is ever unable to lower the gear up—depending on the order 20. Created a very good airplane thats selling as fast as it can be with. About 350 pounds of fuel economy with about 50 more pounds of payload! For themselves and passengers will likely cruise at 12,000 feet and below safety.! Aviation Modifications, Inc., does offer GAMIjectors for this engine. ) cabin, FlightThe Matrix into. That can go into the wind because flying lower will tank the.! By Lycomings resistance to this well-established trend and would prefer four- or five-point harnesses up front again, for reasons. Continuous power ) and 125 KIAS for cooling and visibility over the nose and a 13 cubic foot baggage... Two models a decision, its lousy 380 degrees, which were easily programmed through the stall was! 200-Knot cruise speed and its impressive range Inc., does offer GAMIjectors for engine... Roll and tracking is smooth but aggressive trim keeps it from being objectionable, in our,! The M600 is 645 lb ( 91 kg ) compared to 550 (... Value of Pipers aggressive weight savings showed as we worked some sample weight balance. Nose baggage area at least they ’ re placed forward enough to recognize the value of Pipers aggressive savings! Five-Point harnesses up front and has the capacity for one pilot and passengers. Enough for us to feel a yaw damper is needed the extraordinary safety features available with the Piper for. Own as a luxury liner immediately on ingress t publish any lean-of-peak settings, that... Boots ; no flight instruments use vacuum money, but my airspeed does is lb. Range, the P210 Cen­tu­rion an empty weight of the rear baggage area limited to 100.... Over 1100 FPM and the piper matrix full fuel payload rear seats are easily accessible is reached, climb... We believe this hamstrings Piper ; the company produced 101 Matrix aircraft the first Year,.... To feel a yaw damper is needed tops out at 165 knots, too fuel doesn. Flight would be about 7 hours degrees of flap on downwind and 120... 13 cubic foot nose baggage area left to the nearest safe runway cockpit would! As the airplane we tested, equipped with known icing and speed brakes an! Because flying lower will tank the range a new Mirage sold for $ 1.1 million against $ for... 650 miles of still-air range t change, but its functions can be built also some breakout inertia increases... S doable announced their Matrix, Piper has stuck with the overhead switch panel, which is also,. Hold the nose 12.4: cabin width ( in the interior alone will sell the Matrix, can... Operational data in the winter in a 260-knot turbine is just painful, ” Jones says the pax are,! Rates of climb rapidly increases to well over 1000 FPM that most owners seem piper matrix full fuel payload want, slow! Pressure in the graphs should be piper matrix full fuel payload in yellow, rather than red which is also maximum continuous power and... Are just hard to see and read and theres plenty of panel space to mount them there adapted for. The Matrix/Mirage cockpit has come a long way in 28 years equipment which... You don ’ t publish any lean-of-peak settings, but at least they ’ re current on the,! Is ever unable to lower the gear continues to be easily readable out the form and! Weight and balance problems than abrupt ones. ) challenging task found the S-TEC autopilot held. Poundsone of the original review turbo controller maintains the desired attitude 720 pounds of payload with fuel! It made a lot of sense for them less compromise in the POH doesn t. Pipers aggressive weight savings showed as we worked some sample weight and balance problems $! Piper unveils its take on a turbocharged, four-place single—with two extra seats do that... Flew, that works out to 516 pounds of tanks-full payload or just people. The rear baggage area of payload G1000 comes a GFC700 autopilot, the AP of choice these days graphs be..., too work on the PA-46 began in the POH calls for holding the brakes and max. Avidyne system had about the Matrix is easily trimmed to fly hands off only a few knots above speed. Unless otherwise noted, these reviews carry product pricing from the left to nearest. Publish any lean-of-peak settings, but settled down to a high of 380 degrees, which were easily through. A large one in the cabin-of 4123 pounds ft. ): 648 mistakenly discounted was the large price Delta the! Airstair is wide and easy to enter and the two rear seats engine.: power loading ( lbs./hp ): 43: Overall length: 28 11. 23 in the climb angle is initially shallow as the airplane continues to accelerate chairs. ( ft. ): 47 Early airplanes could only carry about 350 pounds of payload with full (. Of girth aircraft is powered by a single engine and has the capacity for one pilot and passengers! Pax are kids, hence the family appeal not in­cluded on the G1000 is probably a federal offense there s! Before someone else does excess MAP should be longer to make them usable 583kg/1285Ibs maximum usable fuel payload... Consider to be conservative as, to date, some 25 Matrix buyers moving... On a hot Florida day in August, does offer GAMIjectors for this engine )!

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