Piper Meridian M500

Monday, April 06, 2015 at 07:45 PM ET

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Key Takeaways:

The article provides a detailed look at the Piper Meridian M500, highlighting its sleek design and significant cockpit upgrades.
Key cockpit enhancements include a relocated autoflight control panel, a large central Multi-Function Display (MFD), an easily accessible FMS panel for the G1000 system, and the addition of an Aspen EFD 1000 as a capable standby instrument.
The M500 (specifically a late 2014 PA-46-500TP model) features a comfortable cabin with ample ambient light and possesses strong visual "ramp appeal."

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Get a closer look at the sleek lines of the Piper Meridian M500 and its cockpit upgrades.

**The cabin of the M500 is comfortable enough, and the good-size windows provide ample ambient light, a nice feature in a small pressurized airplane. **

The autoflight control panel has been relocated to above the MFD, a big improvement. (Photo by Isabel Goyer)

The large central MFD shows us setting up for entry into the hold for the missed approach done fully coupled. (Photo by Isabel Goyer)

The FMS panel, situated on the central console, allows easy input into the G1000 system including the FMS, comm and nav radios, and transponder. (Photo by Isabel Goyer)

With ramp appeal galore, the M500 is shown here taking the runway at KVRB in the early-morning hours. (Photo by Isabel Goyer)

**A noteworthy addition to the M500 upgrade package is the Aspen EFD 1000, which serves as a remarkably capable standby instrument. **

The airplane we flew for this report is a late 2014 model PA-46-500TP, the first to be designated M500.

Check out what kind of competition the M500 has in our “Piper Meridian M500 Versus the World: Comparison Specs” gallery. (Photo by Isabel Goyer)

A commercial pilot, Isabel Goyer has been flying for more than 40 years, with hundreds of different aircraft in her logbook and thousands of hours. An award-winning aviation writer, photographer and editor, Ms. Goyer led teams at Sport Pilot, Air Progress and Flying before coming to Plane & Pilot in 2015.