Piper M600 Aircraft

Piper Aircraft introduced a new M-Class line aircraft named M600 at Vero Beach, Florida, US, in April 2015. The new improved aircraft is the first single-engine turboprop that features G3000 avionics integrated with a glass flight deck.

The M600 obtained type certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in June 2016. The first aircraft was delivered to Jerry and Jack Wardlaw in July the same year. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation of Mexico (DGAC) also gave a type validation certificate for the aircraft in September 2016.

The aircraft was displayed at the National Business Aircraft Association (NBAA)’s Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (BACE) at the Orange County Convention centre in Orlando, Florida.

M600 aircraft design and features

The M600 aircraft is developed and upgraded from the M500 fuselage. It features a new wing design, more powerful engine and improved interior with Garmin G3000 avionics.

The exterior dimensions of the aircraft include a length of 9.1m (29ft 10in), height of 3.5m (11ft 4in) and wingspan of 13.2m (43ft 2in).

Cockpit and avionics of the M-Class aircraft

The M600 features a Garmin G3000 avionics suite integrated with a glass flight deck, which includes enhanced autopilot and synthetic vision dual 12.1in primary flight displays (PFDs), single 12.1in multi-function display (MFD), and dual GTC 570 touchscreen cockpit management units.

The avionics features also include dual GIA 63W NAV/COM/GPS, GEA 71 engine and airframe interface, and GWX 70 digital weather radar.

The aircraft is equipped with a GFC 700 enhanced automatic flight control system, which offers improved flight automation with a dual AHRS-based system. The SurfaceWatch feature provides pilots with aural and visual alerts to help maintain situational awareness and avoid potential runway incursions or excursions.

The aircraft can also be fitted with an optional GTS 855 traffic advisory system, which offers traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS) I alerts, and a Garmin GSR 56 Global Satellite Datalink Iridium Satellite Transceiver for added connectivity.

The safety equipment fitted to the aircraft includes electronic stability protection (ESP), underspeed protection (USP), and master caution, master warning, gear position and gear warning. Other safety features include coupled go-around, expanded engagement envelope, level mode, autopilot, auto-engage, hypoxia recognition, and emergency descent mode.

Enhanced avionics features on the aircraft include GMC 710 AP controller, dual GMU 44 magnetometer units, and dual GRS 77 AHRS computers. The avionics further include GMA 36 digital audio panel, dual GDC 74 air data computers, GTX 33 ES Mode S transponder, GAE 43 altitude encoder, Garmin FliteCharts, Garmin SafeTaxi, and Aspen EFD1000 standby flight instruments.

M600 aircraft cabin details

The six-passenger cabin can be configured with Calais, Sedona, or Firenze premium leather interiors. It also features electroluminescent placards, chrome, wood accents and four USB charging ports.

M600 aircraft engine and performance details

The aircraft is powered by a Pratt and Whitney Canada PT6A-42A engine, which generates 600shp of power. The engine is driven by a four-bladed Hartzell constant-speed propeller, which is 208cm (82in) in diameter. The fuel capacity of the aircraft is 984l (260gal) and the time between overhaul (TBO) is 3,600 hours.

The aircraft has a cruise speed of 507km/h (274k) and Vmo speed of 463km/h. The maximum range of the aircraft is 1,484nm (2,748km) at 184k and the maximum approved altitude is 9,144m (30,000ft).

The aircraft requires a take-off distance of 803m (2,635ft) and landing distance of 810m (2,659ft) over a 50ft obstacle.

The maximum take-off weight of the aircraft is 2,722kg (6,000lb) and standard useful load carrying capacity is up to 1,089kg (2,400lb). The maximum ramp weight is 2,744kg (6,050lb) and standard equipped weight is 1,656kg (3,650lb).