Piper boosting Meridian's MTOW

Piper is working on boosting the max takeoff weight for its Meridian turboprop single to create a 15-percent increase in useful load. By the end of the year, Piper said it will receive certification of aerodynamic and structural changes to its Meridian that will allow a 242-lb increase in mtow from 4,850 lb to 5,092 lb. Modifications include adding vortex generators to the wings and the underside of the tailplane, adjusting the stall strips and strengthening the airframe in the wing area. The changes are extensive enough to preclude offering them as a retrofit, according to Piper. A typically equipped Meridian currently sells for about $1.7 million, and no price increase is expected to accompany the weight increase.