Story ID: 393 Piper M600
Piper’s 'M-Class' Flagship Makes LABACE Debut
By: David Donald
Caption: Piper's Brazilian dealer is showcasing the new M600 turboprop single, with an eye on selling it into the agricultural sector
Word Count: 246

Piper’s sleek M600 six-seat turboprop single made its first appearance in Brazil at last month's LABACE. Local dealer J.P. Martins Aviação reported significant interest in the aircraft, particularly from the agricultural business, which needs fast, efficient, and reliable transport links between farms, cities, and regional airports. Piper has yet to certify the M600 for unimproved runway operations from grass and sand surfaces, but that approval is expected before the end of the year, which will make the job of selling the M600 into the “agro” sector that much easier.

With an all-new wing design and its extra power, the M600—the flagship of Piper's M Class"—can cruise at up to 274 knots, and its additional internal fuel compared with the M500 raises the M600’s range to 1,658 nm. The pressurized cabin provides for comfortable flight at a maximum approved altitude of 30,000 feet. The Garmin G3000 avionics include a three-screen flight deck with touchscreen control, and the aircraft is fitted with a GWX 75 ten-inch weather radar as standard. A bi-folding airstair door leads to a four-seat club-style cabin.

Initially priced at $2.853 million, the M600 represents an attractive proposition for existing PA-46 owners and operators and those looking to replace small twins or to move up-market from smaller singles. The M600 received FAA approval in June 2016, with Brazil's ANAC granting Brazilian type approval in January 2017.

 

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