Turboprop 'Meridian' Sports Shorter Fuselage, Smaller Wing; Piston Derivative Also Planned

ANN APRIL 1st "SPECIAL" EDITION: In a press release sent to ANN Wednesday, Piper Aircraft announced an all-new model variant to its upcoming PiperJet line: the all-new-for-2010 "Meridian."

"By removing several inches from the fuselage midsection and employing a slightly narrower wing, and of course a new empennage design, Piper Aircraft has been able to optimize the PiperJet design -- which, as you'll recall, is the first all-new design from our company in a number of years -- for the smaller, cabin-class single-turboprop market," said a company spokesman in a follow-up phone interview.

"We feel we have a winner on our hands with the Meridian... and perhaps best of all, the design will require a minimum of retooling to take from concept to flying reality."

At a base price of approximately $1.8 million in 2008 dollars, the new Meridian will be powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6-42A turboprop engine, flat-rated to 500 SHP. Piper projects the six-seat aircraft will offer 1,000 nm full-fuel cruising range, though that figure may change based on flight testing.

"We're entering uncharted territory in bringing a single-engine turboprop to market," the spokesman admitted. "The game is changing constantly... but we're confident the Meridian will bring something new to the personal aircraft marketplace.

"In fact, we're even exploring the possibility of also offering a piston-engine variant down the line," the spokesman said, in a noticeably quieter voice but without the magic words "off the record" ever mentioned. "But that's about all I can say about "Project Malibu."

FMI: www.brandnewpiper.com