FAA Ruling Adds Flexibility For Operation Of The Business Turboprops

Unpaved runways are no longer off limits to owners and operators of Piper Meridian single-engine turboprop business aircraft, according to an FAA ruling announced Friday at the 2011 Malibu/Mirage Owners & Pilots Association (MMOPA) Fly-In Convention held here in Hot Springs, AK. Up until now, the Meridian had been limited to operations from paved runways.

"We are pleased to offer this added performance capability immediately to the nearly 500 operators of Piper Meridian turboprops," said Piper Executive Vice President Randy Groom. "And we are especially pleased to make the announcement today at the MMOPA Fly-In and Convention, where Piper enthusiasts from around the world gather every year to advance the interests and safety of owners and pilots who fly Piper M-Class airplanes."
 
"The ability to land and depart from unpaved runways adds increased operating flexibility to an already outstanding aircraft through a change to the POH and without requiring any kind of airframe modifications," Groom said. "This demonstrates our continuing commitment to providing Piper owners with the finest and most capable business aircraft available today and tomorrow."
 
According to Piper, this upgrade to the Meridian's performance package was accomplished through extensive operational flight testing by Piper's engineering team. With its expanded performance and the ability to operate from unpaved surfaces, the Piper Meridian can now take off and land on grass and dirt landing strips, opening up thousands of additional runways to Meridian flight operations. Changes to the Piper Meridian Pilot Operating Handbook (POH) reflect new unpaved takeoff and landing distances. 

FMI: www.piper.com