19 June 2016
+ VIDEO Piper newest aircraft, the Piper M600, has received type certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). At the same time Piper announced better than expected performance figures with a max cruise speed of 274ktas and max range of 1,484nm.
“We are delighted to announce the certification of the M600 by the FAA”, said Simon Caldecott, Piper Aircraft President and CEO. “With unique and innovative safety features for the single engine turbo prop segment, the competitiveness of the M600 is further enhanced by the aircraft’s performance and industry leading operating and acquisition costs.”
Piper Aircraft validated the M600’s performance, safety, function and reliability through extensive ground and flight tests with the FAA. The total flight hours accumulated during development and certification were in excess of 1850 hours using three flight test aircraft.
“This achievement of type certification for the M600 was the result of the collaborative effort between the FAA and the team at Piper Aircraft,” said James Funk, Piper Aircraft’s Chief Operating Officer. “Both teams worked together to develop and test this exceptional product, which we can now bring to market.”
The M600 maximum range, originally expected to be 1,200 nautical miles with NBAA IFR reserves has been increased to a maximum range of 1,484nm at intermediate cruise settings with NBAA IFR reserves. Additionally, the planned maximum cruise speed objective of 260ktas has been extended to 274ktas. The M600 also boasts a Vmo speed of 250kcas and a max payload of 508kg.
M600 is the new flagship model for Piper’s range.
Piper M600
The M600, top of Piper’s M-class range, seats six and is powered by a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-42A turbo prop engine flat rated at 600shp. The M600 has Garmin G3000 avionics with a touch-screen pilot controls for the radios, audio and intercom channels, transponder codes, charts, mapping, flight plan entry and system set up. Dual GTC 570s provide a centralised point of access for the majority of all avionics tuning, selection and data inputs.
Garmin G3000 avionics in the M600 with dual touch-screen control pads (centre).
The M600 also has enhanced safety features including Emergency Descent Mode, Electronic Stability Protection, Level Mode and Underspeed / Overspeed Protection.
The 2016 M600 is listed at $2.853 million.
Cabin of the M600 with club seating for four behind the front two seats.
