Piper’s new M600 single-engine turboprop, while not a clean-sheet design, is a logical addition to the Vero Beach, Fla. manufacturer’s product line and delivers a big boost in performance for a competitive price. Now the top of the line in Piper’s M-series, the $2.853 million M600 also expands the range of products offered by Piper and pushes it closer in performance and capability to competing airplanes while retaining the comfort and easy flying characteristics that are a Piper hallmark.
During the EAA AirVenture show in Oshkosh in July, I flew the M600 with Piper chief test pilot Bart Jones. Piper positioned the M600 at Appleton International Airport, where the flying is more flexible than in Oshkosh, with its busy runways and airspace. Our flight wasn’t too long because of a slow-moving thunderstorm approaching the airport, but we were able to climb to 16,000 feet and evaluate performance and handling characteristics.