Page 30 - July21T

Finally, one off-market bird came to Mike’s attention by a broker in Texas that he had previously contacted. It fit the bill, and he snatched up the airplane before it ever became a public listing. The PA-46 had a 1996 airframe with a 2007 engine (-35) conversion with more than two-thirds of the time remaining until TBO. It checked all the boxes avionics and
maintenance-wise and was offered for a fair price.
Most importantly, it allowed Mike to fly higher and faster, cutting down his routine Louisiana to Texas f light time considerably. The JetPROP is roughly 100 knots faster (260 knots) and typically f lown at around 27,000 MSL – a stark contrast to his previous A36’s operating ceiling. Mike noted
28 • TWIN & TURBINE / July 2021
Turbines