Piper Matrix

Saturday, February 23, 2008 at 02:45 AM ET

Verified

The Matrix is a big airplane, it feels like it. But doing airwork is pleasant, and the controls are nicely harmonized, like most Pipers. Robert Goyer

Key Takeaways:

The Piper Matrix is an unpressurized aircraft built on a proven 20-year-old airframe, sharing its 350 hp engine and flying characteristics with the Mirage.
It offers significant ramp appeal and a notably large, luxurious cabin with high-end finishes and a built-in oxygen system, providing more space than competitors like the Cessna 400 and Cirrus SR22.
Cost-saving measures include thinner windows due to its unpressurized design and a slightly pared-down Avidyne Entegra avionics suite with an S-Tec 55X autopilot.

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One of the big selling points of the Matrix is its considerable ramp appeal. Just think if your friends could see from this vantage point. Robert Goyer

The Matrix flies just like the Mirage, that is to say, just like a big Saratoga. Here Robert hand-flies it on the approach at St. Augustine. Photo By Tom Harper, Avidyne

The Matrix uses a slightly pared down Avidyne Entegra avionics suite. It lacks a second, copilot’s side PFD, and it ties into a less expensive, rate-based autopilot, the S-Tec 55X. Photo By Tom Harper, Avidyne

This Piper-supplied shot shows the cabin of the Matrix. And while this wide-angle view makes it seem enormous, it’s in reality pretty darned big anyways. This is one feature airplanes like the Cessna 400 and Cirrus SR22 simply can’t compete with. Photo By Piper Aircraft, Inc.

With a nicely executed, built-in oxygen system, the Matrix is ready for the flight levels. Robert Goyer

Ports on the ceiling of the airplane allow the occupants to hook up their masks or cannulas to the system. Robert Goyer

The Matrix is lighter than the Mirage, and as a result it seems to sit slightly higher on its gear. Robert Goyer

Speaking of the gear, that’s one feature of the Matrix that Cirrus and Cessna can’t match either, the retractable gear. Whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing is open to discussion. Robert Goyer

The airstair door of the Matrix is virtually identical to that of the Mirage. And it’s nice. Robert Goyer

Another cost savings on the Matrix is the glass. Because it’s unpressurized, it can use much less thick windows than the Mirage. Robert Goyer

Nice styling touches abound on the Matrix, like this custom aluminum transition piece between the cabin and the airstair doorway. Robert Goyer

The leather work in the Matrix is very nicely done, with high-end embellishments like custom stitching and wood veneer writing tables. Robert Goyer

Featuring the same TSIO-540 as the Mirage, the Matrix has 350 ponies to get it up to altitude quickly and make good speed once up there. Robert Goyer

The prop is a Hartzell composite three-blader with an 80-inch diameter. Robert Goyer

Piper says they’re building Matrixes, and they are. Here some of the first of the models undergo assembly at Piper’s Vero Beach factory. Robert Goyer

The Matrix in flight in the late afternoon over the Atlantic coast of Florida. Robert Goyer

Coming in for a landing back at Vero with a good crosswind, I got a chance to witness the airplane’s excellent crosswind capabilities. Photo By Tom Harper, Avidyne

One of the advantages of the Matrix is that it’s a proven airframe. As with any 20-year-old design, the bugs have been found and dealt with. Robert Goyer

One of the advantages of the Matrix is that it’s a proven airframe. As with any 20-year-old design, the bugs have been found and dealt with. Robert Goyer

The Matrix in flight heading south over Florida’s Atlantic Intercoastal waterway. Robert Goyer

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