Story ID: 
Piper’s Meridian Gets Avionics Makeover
By: Kerry Lynch
Caption: Piper Adds Garmin electronic stability protection and underspeed protection features to Meridian.
Word Count: 201
Piper Aircraft refreshed the cockpit of its Meridian M500 single-turboprop aircraft, incorporating new technologies into the Garmin G1000 panel and adding other safety features. Available for 2015 models, the update is the latest in a series of cockpit improvements that Piper has incorporated throughout its product line, and the Meridian will fold in some of these advances, such as electronic stability protection (ESP).

The new avionics will have a smaller, high-definition 12-inch multifunction display, but still feature dual 10-inch primary flight displays. Its GFC 700 autopilot has an enhanced flight control system, including underspeed protection that helps guard against stall and enables coupled go-arounds. The autopilot will also be equipped with a “level mode” function.

ESP, most recently added to Piper’s Seminole, functions independently of the autopilot system, discouraging operation outside the flight envelope while the pilot is hand flying the aircraft. Other new features include the Aspen EFD-1000 standby instrument and GTX 33 extended squitter transponder. An optional GTS 825 traffic advisory system, coupled with the GTX 33ES, provides ADS-B In and Out capability.

The 2015 models will be priced at $2.26 million, up slightly from $2.22 million.