Page 12 - Sept 19 TNT

meaning with full fuel, the Meridian can be expected to make about 750 nm unless the headwinds are punishing. But, the TBM 700C2 can easily fly an- other 350 nm beyond the Meridian, making it a true 1,100 nm airplane (and sometimes more if the winds are favor- able and the pilot operates at a lesser power setting). There is a significant advantage to the TBM when range is considered. A pilot can tell the strength of a wing by considering the amount of excess airspeed available on the airspeed in- dicator above cruise speed. When Vmo is significantly above cruise speed, you know a strong wing is bolted on the airframe. When operating the Merid- ian, indicated cruise speed (KIAS) is usually about 163 KIAS at high altitude and Vmo is 188 KIAS. So, there’s only about 25 KIAS available to increase in the descent – and that is only available in smooth air. In a Meridian, the pilot always pulls the power back to descend from altitude. In the TBM 700C2, the cruise speed is about 193 KIAS and Vmo is 266 KIAS. So, when the TBM pilot wants to descend, it’s a simple matter of point- ing the nose downward and leaving the power at cruise for a significant portion of the overall descent. With all of this talk about the strength of a wing, don’t let it be said that the Meridian has a weak wing – it doesn’t. The wing on a Meridian is plenty strong, but the TBM has a higher Vmo and Va (maneuvering speed) and typifies the added benefit that comes with the beef- ier, stronger TBM airframe and wing. Useful Load When it comes to useful load, the TBM 700C2 is the clear winner. With full fuel, the typical G1000 Meridian can carry about three to four people (depending upon individual weight) with a few small bags. Whereas, the TBM 700C2 can easily carry five average people with everyone bringing along a roller bag as well. The TBM simply carries more. So, if your predominant mission is to fly 1,000 nm with four people and bags, the TBM 700C2 will complete the mission nonstop. The Meridian will also accomplish that mission, but will depart without full fuel and require a fuel stop along the way. But this leads us to where the Meridian has a distinct advantage: operating and maintenance costs. Operating Costs Not only is the Meridian going to burn significantly less fuel, it has a lesser engine reserve. The -42A on the Meridian will cost about $100,000 less to overhaul than the -64 found on the TBM 700C2. And the TBO on the -64 (3,000 or 3,500 depending on a few factors) is less than the TBO on the -42A (3,600 hours). So, the engine and feeding of the engine on the TBM will cost more than the Meridian. The Meridian also has a significant- ly lesser maintenance requirement. The Meridian will undergo an “annual inspection” every year, and that annual inspection will average about $20,000 at one of the PA46-centric maintenance facilities. Yes, I know I’m going to get pushback from some that think they can operate a Meridian for less at annual, but I believe $20,000 is a good budget number for a Meridian annual inspec- tion. There are a few hour-based main- tenance items, but the airplane does not have any “gotchas” (super-expensive in- spections) in the maintenance manual, and there will rarely be an item that will blow the budget completely. For a TBM, there’s an A, B and C-In- spection in sequential years, and every item on those lists will be accomplished in that inspection. The C-Inspection is the most intensive and will come at the highest cost. I’ve seen C-Inspection invoices that were over $80,000 and there were not very many “additional items” on those high invoices. And some inspections occur based on hours and cycles. The inspection list for a TBM is much more robust than the Meridian. There’s another factor that makes the TBM more expensive to operate than a Meridian. If you own a TBM, you’ll rarely take it to your local mechanic. You’ll almost always need to take it to an authorized service center. Rarely will a local mechanic be a “TBM ex- pert” and feel comfortable enough to provide ongoing maintenance. While the level of maintenance at just about any TBM service center is super high, 10 • TWIN & TURBINE / September 2019 Rosen Sun Visor Systems