MERIDIAN
The single-engine Pratt & Whitney powered, 6 place, 260 knot, 500 SHP turboprop could be called the top-of-the-line personal aircraft. This smooth running machine was certified in September of 2000. With full fuel it could climb directly to FL 300 and with no wind accomplish a 1000nm flight if ATC didn’t make it descend early. Unfortunately with full fuel it could only carry ~ 250 lbs. 250 lb equals one plump pilot and a toothbrush, or a less plump pilot and a heavy suitcase. It did have dual Meggitt EADIs and EHSIs, two engine display units and two Garmin 530’s. Except for one prop, one engine and one autopilot, it had just about dual everything else. It was also certified for flight into known light to moderate icing (FIKI). What else could we want for in this aircraft? Oh yes - it should be able to carry more and should have a better autopilot. Along came VGs which allowed the airplane to carry an additional ~237# with full fuel and the “Magic 1500” autopilot came along also. Although we could now carry more people and luggage with full fuel, RVSM came along requiring the aircraft to never exceed FL 280 in the lower 48 reducing the range of the airplane. A number of incremental improvements came along year by year but the biggest news was when (2) Avidyne EX 5000 PFDs and (1) MFD replaced the Meggitt EADIs and EHSIs. The Meggitt equipment was definitely a step up from “steam” gauges but the 10” Avidyne screens were easier to read and more information could be place on and in them such as terrain information, Metars, TAFs etc. Even though Nexrad was available and even airport diagrams and approach charts, Piper kept the Radar pod – good thinking! Radar is real time and Nexrad is somewhat stale information. Nexrad is good for long range planning purposes and determining what is behind the aircraft and it helps you avoid a line of thunderstorms but sometimes you need to know what is going on right now, right in front of you and that is where radar saves the day.
QUIRKS
The first thing that comes to mind, and it is a significant quirk, is that sometimes the aircraft will head for the ditch when the nose wheel makes contact with the runway upon landing. What can we do about that? 1) During flight training insist that you learn to straighten the nose wheel after the main tires are on the runway and before the nose wheel contacts the runway. That’s a bit of a challenge especially during a crosswind, or gusty crosswind conditions, but we need to be able to consistently accomplish this maneuver. 2) If the airplane heads for the ditch after landing and pushing opposite rudder doesn’t correct the situation, pull back on the yoke to reduce the weight on the nose wheel and try again with the rudder – that should fix the problem. 3) Ensure that the nose tire pressure is correct. But again, refer back to #1 for the best method of correcting this situation.
Another thing to watch is OAT or Fuel Temperature. These temperatures can limit the maximum altitude at which you fly.
MY OPINION
The VG equipped Meridian should meet your needs if your needs are to fly 2 – 3 people up to 700nm (no wind) cruising above most of the weather at 250+ knots relatively carefree of engine failure. The alternate airport would have to be pretty close if one is needed. The engine can still produce 500 SHP up to at least FL 230 (usually) so that it is hard to hurt the engine except during start. The airplane is honest, fairly easy to fly, quite capable and does a lot for you and then looks good on the ramp when the flying is done. 1200 FPM average climb up to FL 280, I believe, is better even than Cessna’s Mustang. Just a word of caution: be prepared to fly the aircraft by the standby instruments in the event that the primary
instruments – Meggitt or Avidyne fail. Know what to do if the all the LCD panels go dim (Meggitt). Now that you’re flying in the flight levels, be prepared for 100 knot or greater headwinds westbound particularly in the winter months. Those same winds are great when you’re flying east – you just have to
remember to start the descent earlier than normal, but your ground speed sure will slow as you descend.
OBSERVATION – The Meridian is still being built and improvements are still being made.