Want the very best combination of speed, range, and load-carrying capacity? A single-engine turboprop like those in the TBM series makes a great choice. Here’s a brief look at how the TBM 900 stacks up against its competitors in the turboprop and owner-flown jet market. [Historical data and pricing have been preserved for the record.]
Piper PA-46-500TP Meridian
Though both turboprops seat six in pressurized comfort and derive their power from a Pratt & Whitney PT6A, that’s about where the comparisons between the TBM 900 and Piper Meridian end. The Meridian is a full 70 knots slower than the TBM 900 (330 ktas vs. 260 ktas), its range is nearly 600 nm shorter (1,582 nm vs. 1,000 nm), and it weighs nearly 1,400 pounds less (7,394 lb. MTOW—max takeoff weight—vs. 5,000 lb. MTOW). But the Meridian also sells for around $2.2 million versus the TBM 900’s purchase price of about $3.7 million.
