TYPE: Business prop.

PROGRAMME: Prototype Malibu first flew 30 November 1979; FAA certification of original PA-46-310P Malibu (TSIO-520 engine and two-blade propeller) received 27 September 1983; production deliveries began December 1983; 404 built before replaced by PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage October 1988, FAA certification having been received on 30 August 1988. Production temporarily suspended in 2000 to enable the company to concentrate on launching the turboprop Malibu Meridian; resumption then planned for late 2001.

CURRENT VERSIONS: Malibu Mirage: As described. Improvements introduced on 1995 model include pilot's heated glass windscreen, inflatable lumbar support on pilot/co-pilot's seats, colour co-ordinated control wheels and restyled interior trim, cabinetry and seats. Strengthened wing structure of Malibu Meridian introduced as standard from 1999, affording 18 kg (40 lb) increase in maximum take-off weight.
Malibu Meridian: Described separately.
JetPROP DLX: Supplemental Type Certificate awarded in 1998 to JetPROP LLC and Rocket Engineering, both of Spokane, Washington, for conversion of Malibu and Malibu Mirage with Pratt & Whitney PT6A-35 turboprop and Hartzell four-blade propeller.

CUSTOMERS: Total of 40 delivered in 1995, 57 in 1996, 54 in 1997, 55 in 1998, 61 in 1999, 63 in 2000, 10 in 2001, 19 in 2002, and three in the first nine months of 2003.

COSTS: Standard, equipped US$929,200 (2003).

DESIGN FEATURES: High-speed, long-range Piper single, with streamlined appearance and moderately high-aspect ratio wing, which is low mounted and tapered; mid-tailplane, also tapered; sweptback fin; wide track landing gear.
Wing section NASA 23016 at root, 23009 at tip; dihedral 4° 30'; thickness/chord ratio 16 per cent; twist 2° 57'; incidence 3° 38'.

FLYING CONTROLS: Conventional and manual. Horn-balanced elevators and rudder; stainless steel control cables. Electronic trim tab in elevator; electrically operated trailing-edge flaps. Precise Flight speed brakes standard. Control surface movements: ailerons ±18°, elevator ±23° 30'/-14° 30'; rudder 26° port/30° starboard; elevators +19/-14° 30'; maximum flap deflection 35°.

STRUCTURE: Cantilever high-aspect ratio all-metal wings; light alloy fuselage, fail-safe construction in pressurised area; light alloy tail surfaces.

LANDING GEAR: Hydraulically retractable tricycle type with single wheel on each unit; main units retract inward into wingroots, nosewheel rearward, rotating 90° to lie flat under baggage compartment. Mainwheel size 6.00-6 (8 ply), pressure 3.80 bar (55 lb/sq in); nosewheel 5.00-6 (6 ply) pressure 3.45 bar (50 lb/sq in). Toe-operated brakes.

POWER PLANT: One 261 kW (350 hp) Textron Lycoming TIO-540-AE2A turbocharged and intercooled flat-six engine, driving a Hartzell HC-13YR-1E/7890K three-blade constant-speed propeller with polished spinner. Composites (Kevlar) propeller replaced metal from 1998. Fuel system capacity 462 litres (122 US gallons; 102 Imp gallons), of which 454 litres (120 US gallons; 100 Imp gallons) are usable. Oil capacity 11.5 litres (3.0 US gallons; 2.5 Imp gallons).

ACCOMMODATION: Pilot and five passengers in pressurised, heated and air conditioned cabin; dual controls standard; front two occupants have vertical, fore-and-aft adjusting and reclining leather seats with inflatable lumbar supports, stowaway armrests, inertia reel shoulder harnesses and map-holders. Leather reclining passenger seats in club arrangement with stowaway armrests and inertia reel shoulder harnesses; unpressurised baggage compartment in nose, and pressurised space at rear of cabin. Door with integral steps on port side aft of wing.

SYSTEMS: Pressurisation, maximum differential 0.38 bar (5.5 lb/sq in), to provide a cabin altitude of 2,400 m (7,900 ft) to a height of 7,620 m (25,000 ft). Hydraulic system pressure 107 bar (1,550 lb/sq in). Dual engine-driven vacuum pumps standard. Split bus electrical system has two 28 V/70 A alternators; 24 V 10 Ah battery; full icing protection standard. Optional electrically heated pilot's windscreen and fuel management system.

AVIONICS: Standard Garmin New Generation IFR avionics packgae, as detailed.
Comms: Dual GNS-530 com/nav/IFR GPS with MFDs; GTX-327 transponder (second optional); GMA-340 audio panel with marker beacon receiver and intercom; Telex 100T noise-cancelling microphone and Airman 760 headset.
Radar: RDR-2000 vertical profile colour weather radar in wing-mounted pod. Goodrich WS-1000+ Stormscope optional.
Flight: Garmin GNS-430 com/nav/IFR GPS; ST-361 ADI; ST-180 HSI with slaved compass system; ST-360 altitude select/alerter; United 5035P-P40 altitude encoder; Meggitt System 55X three-axis autopilot with electric trim, turn indicator and yaw damper, co-pilot's longitudinal electric trim button. Options include single or dual RCR-650A ADF with IND-650A indicators; DME 450; Honeywell KI 229 RMI (exchange for IND-650A); and KRA-10A radar altimeter.
Instrumentation: Dual MFDs with GNS-430 installation; dual GI-106A VOR/LOC/GS/GPS indicators.

EQUIPMENT: Standard equipment includes heated lift detector; stall warning computer and horn; digital ammeter/voltmeter; six-channel CHT monitoring system with selectable cylinder readout; gyro air filter; alternate static source; heated pitot head; nosewheel light; wingtip taxying light; navigation lights, wingtip strobe lights; cockpit dome lights; solid-state dimming landing gear position and instrument panel lights; seven cabin overhead lights; PPG pilot's heated windscreen; windscreen defrosters; pilot's opening storm window; pilot's relief tube; supplemental electric heater; emergency oxygen system; leather sidewalls; stowaway executive writing table; forward refreshment/entertainment centres; super 'Quietised' soundproofing with inner passenger windows; halon fire extinguisher; Truax static discharge wicks; chemical corrosion protection; and Du Pont-Imron polyurethane exterior paint in single- or two-tone base colour with graphics striping in choice of three trim colours. Optional equipment includes 'Infinity' paint scheme and stainless steel cowling fasteners.