Piper Meridian info

jrh said:
Could you explain *how* it's different though? What are some of the "oh crap" scenarios I might find myself in as a low time Meridian pilot?
Click to expand...

Powerplant, systems, speed regimes, high altitude flying, pressurization, descent planning, fuel management, and so forth. Certainly as a CFI yourself, you have seen someone try to transition from a 172 to a Mooney Acclaim or some variation thereof (at least I have and it wasn't pretty).

I am not saying it can not be done but even when I bought my Mooney 231, my insurance required 5 hours dual. A very experienced, exclusive Mooney instructor said I would need 15-20 hours to be proficient with the systems and speed regimes (Mooneys are incredibly difficult to slow down without speed brakes).

Just be careful and put your student's best training and safety interest at the forefront of your decision.

If I were buying a Meridian, I would want a 20,000 hour ATP/experienced Meridian pilot to be my instructor; someone like this guy.

http://www.pipermeridiantraining.com/index.shtml
 
Boris Badenov said:
It's a Malibu with a turbine bolted on, not the freaking spaceshuttle.
Click to expand...

Over simplified a tad?

I had a colleague (CFI) that had a student go from a 172 to a Mooney Acclaim. The transitioning pilot, a 800 hour IR private, ended up bending metal because the flight speeds and overall characteristics are surely different. Similarly, I had 5000 hour ATPs that had flown for foreign Air Forces fail out of ERJ training at my previous airline.

Just because something has wheels, a prop, and wings doesn't make it universal. With that being said, a good instructor and some mentoring should lead to a safe, proficient pilot.
 
I also admire your honestly looking at the situation. IMO if you'll be doing instruction in this aircraft, you'll need some formal training in it (for safety's sake). This aircraft is a step up for you as well, you should feel confident in the aircraft especially as an instructor. There's nothing worse than feeling overwhelmed or intimidated by an aircraft, for an instructor to feel such is unacceptable.

You can still teach him but just get yourself up to speed first on this aircraft.
 
Baronman said:
I also admire your honestly looking at the situation. IMO if you'll be doing instruction in this aircraft, you'll need some formal training in it (for safety's sake). This aircraft is a step up for you as well, you should feel confident in the aircraft especially as an instructor. There's nothing worse than feeling overwhelmed or intimidated by an aircraft, for an instructor to feel such is unacceptable.

You can still teach him but just get yourself up to speed first on this aircraft.
Click to expand...

I had an instructor in the past that ended up in a very similar situation, IIRC. He trained a guy through his private, the guy went out and bought a high performance complex airplane. The instructor taught him how to fly that. 4 months or so later, said pilot decided he wanted a Meridian. I believe the pilot ended up paying to get the CFI to go to SimCom with him.
 
This is a simple single engine turboprop aircraft... it is designed to be flown by an average pilot with some high performance, retract time. It's maximum TAS is 260.... not a big deal. There are a few (2) easy descent planning mental math tools to learn. Engine management is generally simpler than a high performance piston... i.e. no shock cooling to worry about... YEAH!! I would agree that a formal training course would be mandatory for you and your student, along with 10 hrs or so with someone with "high" altitude turbine experience... after that, establish a shallow learning curve, respect the a/c's limitations, and use your checklists. Good luck!!
 
meritflyer said:
Over simplified a tad?

I had a colleague (CFI) that had a student go from a 172 to a Mooney Acclaim. The transitioning pilot, a 800 hour IR private, ended up bending metal because the flight speeds and overall characteristics are surely different. Similarly, I had 5000 hour ATPs that had flown for foreign Air Forces fail out of ERJ training at my previous airline.

Just because something has wheels, a prop, and wings doesn't make it universal. With that being said, a good instructor and some mentoring should lead to a safe, proficient pilot.
Click to expand...

I had a guy with 500 hours go from a 182 to an Acclaim and he operates safely, confidently, and within his limitations. Your point?
 
I have no Meridian time, but I do have some time behind a TIO-540 and a PT-6, and if you can manage a TIO-540, you can manage a PT-6.

If you screw up your descent planning (hard to do), you pull the power back and the thing will drop like a rock.

You can't shock cool it.

As long as you don't over torque or over temp it on takeoff, you're likely fine.

Get trained, get comfortable, have fun.
 
jtrain609 said:
I have no Meridian time, but I do have some time behind a TIO-540 and a PT-6, and if you can manage a TIO-540, you can manage a PT-6.

If you screw up your descent planning (hard to do), you pull the power back and the thing will drop like a rock.

You can't shock cool it.

As long as you don't over torque or over temp it on takeoff, you're likely fine.

Get trained, get comfortable, have fun.
Click to expand...

I agree. If you can get it started without burning up the insides, it should be easier to operate than that TSIO-540. Like JTrain says, if you mess up the descent planning the propeller itself makes an excellent crutch. Just be careful not to rely on it as that will lead to sloppy flying and eventually bite you.

Definitely check in with CK. He went from a Mirage to the Meridian. If I'm not mistaken the owner's insurance required 25 hours in type with an instructor for him, but don't quote me on that.
 
Ahhh...I get home from work and find this. I love the internet. This thread has devolved in to exactly what I expected.

Thanks for the thoughts, everyone. CK has already responded to my PM with his always-classy style. I think I've got the situation pretty well figured out.

Of course I never believe anything in aviation until I see it. When I'm sitting in a Meridian cockpit, flipping switches for the first time, that's when I'll believe this is happening.
 
The Meridian is a stupid easy airplane to fly. It has no fuel selector, no ice doors, no prop lever, and no complicated systems. The only thing the pilot really has to remember is the gear. Of course it is a turbine aircraft and needs to be flown like one. It is capable of flying in any conditions any other turboprop can. All but two of the fatal accidents in the Meridian have been weather related. One was a stall on base to final and the other was CFIT.

Which is why it initially had a horrible loss rate.
Click to expand...

There have not been many Meridian accidents. The Malibu did.

meritflyer said:
If I were buying a Meridian, I would want a 20,000 hour ATP/experienced Meridian pilot to be my instructor; someone like this guy.

http://www.pipermeridiantraining.com/index.shtml
Click to expand...

You would cheat on me with him!??!?! Dude really!?! Our bromance is over.


For what it is worth I recommend www.rwrpilottraining.com he is the sharpest Meridian guy I know.


Alex.
 
Whatever kid, go and take your jet driving, Northstar M3 navigating butt somewhere else, because we don't have no time for you!!!

BTW If you ever end up sitting in DTW, DET of YIP let me know, I'm only about 20 minutes from each of those airports.

CK said:
The Meridian is a stupid easy airplane to fly. It has no fuel selector, no ice doors, no prop lever, and no complicated systems. The only thing the pilot really has to remember is the gear. Of course it is a turbine aircraft and needs to be flown like one. It is capable of flying in any conditions any other turboprop can. All but two of the fatal accidents in the Meridian have been weather related. One was a stall on base to final and the other was CFIT.



There have not been many Meridian accidents. The Malibu did.



You would cheat on me with him!??!?! Dude really!?! Our bromance is over.


For what it is worth I recommend www.rwrpilottraining.com he is the sharpest Meridian guy I know.


Alex.
Click to expand...
 
jtrain609 said:
Whatever kid, go and take your jet driving, Northstar M3 navigating butt somewhere else, because we don't have no time for you!!!
Click to expand...

The new jet has a Trimble 2000!! Finally in the big leagues!

BTW If you ever end up sitting in DTW, DET of YIP let me know, I'm only about 20 minutes from each of those airports.
Click to expand...

I fly rich people so I don't imagine we will ever end up anywhere near there :(

Alex.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top