Despite AOPA Trying To Take Over Aspects Of The Announcement, The M700 Is An Intriguing  Next Step

Piper Aircraft has added a new model to its PA46 line -- the M700 FURY—a single-engine, 700 shaft horsepower, cabin-class turboprop. 

Reportedly the next step in expanding their M-Class series, the M700 is powered by the Pratt & Whitney PT6A-52 engine, allowing for a maximum cruise speed of 301 ktas with a max range of 1,149 nm (at max cruise speed, 1,424 nm at normal cruise speed) while maintaining a 'Basic Med compliant' 6,000- pound MGTOW limit.

At 301 knots, the M700 is the fastest production bird they've ever built and the second-fastest model of all time. Notwithstanding the late and oft-lamented PiperJet program, only the mighty Piper Cheyenne 400LS turbine twin is faster. 

The M700 claims a Take-off distance over a 50’ obstacle at SL, STD day MGTOW of 1,994 ft -- which is claimed as a 641 ft/24 percent improvement when compared to the M600 SLS generation that it will replace.

Initial Climb numbers are stated to offer a 2,048 fpm climb rate, 32 percent better than the M600.

In the climb department, the M700 FURY reaches FL250 in 13.9 minutes (34 percent quicker than the M600) after covering a short 34-miles (35 percent less distance than prior) and while burning 97 lbs. of fuel some 25 percent less fuel than the M600 and nearly 50% less fuel than an unnamed single-engine jet competitor.

Cruise? A solid 301-knot max cruise speed was spec'ed.

Landing over a 50 ft. obstacle, the M700 FURY achieves a 26 percent reduction versus the M600 and within half the ground roll distance of some other competitors.

“The M700 FURY is a beautifully efficient, cross-country thoroughbred that gives our customers a performance-based flight experience with economics never seen before,” said Piper President and CEO John Calcagno. “We listened, and we delivered. The M700 FURY encompasses power, performance and the most advanced safety measures available today and an overall value proposition that is extremely compelling to individuals and corporate flight departments alike.”

Airframe changes to accommodate the more powerful engine include a redesigned, more efficient intake plenum that improves ram air recovery, new engine mount assemblies, and an improved exhaust stack design that maximizes residual thrust.

The M700 FURY features a G3000 avionics system with a touchscreen-controlled glass flight deck. It all comes standard in the M700 FURY along with the HALO Safety System (including Autoland technology) that was first certified in the M600/SLS.

The new model will retain PlaneSync capability technology -- including a 4G LTE Cellular and Wi-Fi datalink that enables new avionics capabilities to streamline an aircraft owner’s pre-flight and post-flight activities. Piper is also first-to-market with a new remote aircraft status capability enabling owners to remotely check the fuel quantity, aircraft location, oil temperature, battery voltage, the current METAR at the aircraft’s location and more via an app. PlaneSync also automatically downloads databases wirelessly while the aircraft is powered down and even while the owner is away from the aircraft.

The M700 program boasts six (6) new interior schemes, featuring new leathers and aesthetically styled seats.

FAA certification for the aircraft is expected before the end of Q1, 2024 with deliveries starting immediately thereafter. International validations for Canada, EASA, the UK, and Brazil will be achieved in the second half of 2024, with customer deliveries in those regions before the end of the year. 

FMI: www.piper.com