Unpressurized PA46 Offers Luxury, Performance At A Lower
Price
Piper Aircraft chose
AOPA Expo 2007 to unveil its latest creation, the Matrix.
The Matrix -- a cabin-class, unpressurized six-seater based on
the Malibu Mirage -- is designed to be an economical alternative to
the Mirage, while still offering a luxury cabin in a high
performance airplane.
"Many of our customers and prospective buyers told us that they
wanted an airplane that provided the best in luxury, elegance and
performance at a price that is hundreds of thousands of dollars
below what has been available," said Piper President and CEO James
Bass.
The Malibu was originally designed as a totally new aircraft,
and the Matrix extends that lineage by offering a new,
unpressurized model for those looking for a more economical option
without sacrificing performance and luxury. According to Vice
President of Sales Bob Kromer, "The Matrix is the end result of
listening closely to our customers. The niche the Matrix fills is
one that people we interviewed identified as a vital, unfilled
niche in general aviation."
The 350-horsepower Matrix cruises at 215 knots, with a range of
over 1,345 nautical miles when flown at its maximum operating
altitude of 25,000 feet. Down low, where supplemental oxygen isn't
necessary, the Matrix checks in at 188 knots and is good for 831
nautical miles at 12,000 feet, according to Piper.
In addition to offering impressive range, the Matrix also offers
a big advantage over the Mirage in usable load -- which is
considered a weak point in the pressurized models. Stripping the
needed equipment to keep the cabin pressurized frees up a 185-lb
advantage for the Matrix -- enough for one additional standard-size
adult.
The aircraft sports the Avidyne Entegra integrated flight deck,
with a 10.4" PFD as standard equipment. The panel can be coupled
with the autopilot for altitude, vertical speed, and heading
without the need for an external control panel.
The Matrix is the first aircraft to offer Avidyne's new MLB700
Datalink receiver for WSI Inflight weather. Other standard avionics
include Avidyne's exclusive Multilink two-way datalink service,
EMax Electronic Engine Instrumentation System, the CMax Jeppesen
JeppView electronic chart display and SIRIUS Satellite Radio. The
TAS610 active traffic system and TX670 Tactical Weather Sensor are
available as options.
Priced at $757,000, the company says it has received over 100
orders for the Matrix' 2008 production run. The company plans to
expand production operations if demand warrants.