Piper Malibu: Past and Present

Friday, August 05, 2011 at 12:49 AM ET

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Key Takeaways:

The innovative Malibu pioneered the age of successful pressurized piston singles, characterized by its distinctive cabin-class interior and airstair door.
It was powered by an efficient Continental TIO-520 engine, offering long-legged performance despite potentially high maintenance costs, and came standard with a comprehensive Bendix/King Silver Crown avionics package.
The aircraft featured luxurious "fine Corinthian leather" seats and ample baggage space, though its solid landing behavior required rudder correction to prevent "darting" after lowering the nose.

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The innovative Malibu set the stage for the age of successful pressurized piston singles.

The landing behavior of the airplane is solid and workmanlike. It does have the tendency to “dart” after lowering the nose on landing if you don’t take out rudder correction before it settles.

The Continental TIO-520 provided just 310 horses but created a package so efficient and so long legged that it retains many diehard fans even after all these years, though maintenance costs on this engine can be high.

An excellent Bendix/King Silver Crown avionics package was standard. This one featured standard HSI, an early RNAV unit and weather radar.

As is the case today, the Malibu is defined by the cabin-class interior and airstair door. Piper got it right the first time.

There’s plenty of room for bags behind the rear seats and in the nose. A heavy- duty cargo net keeps bags where they’re supposed to be, even in rough air.

Aesthetically, the original cabin was dominated by these outrageous, fine Corinthian leather seats. They are not available even as an option on today’s Mirage.

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