Piper M350 vs Piper Meridian
The Piper M350, M500 and M600 are the modern PA-46 series — M350 is the pressurised piston turbocharged (~213 kt); M500 (formerly Meridian, ~262 kt) is the entry turboprop with PT6A-42A; M600 (~274 kt with PT6A-42A and longer wing) is the current flagship turboprop with Garmin G3000. The M500 and Meridian are the same aircraft — Piper renamed the Meridian to M500 in 2015.
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | Piper M350 | Piper Meridian |
|---|---|---|
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|
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| Price Range | $599,000 – $2,098,059 | $738,946 – $2,613,432 |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | Single Engine Turboprop |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 6 | 6 |
| Horsepower | 350 HP | — |
| Cruise Speed | 200 kts (370 km/h) | 241 kts (446 km/h) |
| Range | 1,343 nm (2,487 km) | 1,000 nm (1,852 km) |
| Service Ceiling | 25,000 ft (7,620 m) | 30,000 ft (9,144 m) |
| Max Gross Weight | 4,340 lbs (1,969 kg) | 5,092 lbs (2,310 kg) |
| Useful Load | 1,220 lbs (553 kg) | 1,362 lbs (618 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 120.0 gal (454 L) | 170.0 gal (643 L) |
| Fuel Burn | 18.0 GPH (68 L/h) | 35.0 GPH (132 L/h) |
| TBO | 2,000 hrs | 3,500 hrs |
| Overhaul Cost | $35,000 | $300,000 |
| Annual Fixed | $22,000 | $100,000 |
| Hourly Variable | $200 | $650 |
| Engines | 1 x Piston (Turbocharged) | 1 x Turboprop |
Cost of Ownership
EstimatePiper M350
Piper Meridian
Which Should You Buy: Piper M350 or Piper Meridian?
Bottom line: Choose the M350 for pressurised piston operations at the lowest M-series operating cost. Step up to the M500 (Meridian) for turboprop reliability and ~50 kt more cruise. Step up again to the M600 for the longest-range, modern Garmin G3000 and the most capable PA-46 — each step adds materially higher acquisition and per-hour cost.
Pick the M350 if…
- Budget matters — from $599,000 vs $738,946, you save ~$139,946.
- Lower operating cost — ~$200/hr vs $650/hr.
- Longer range — 1343 nm vs 1000 nm.
- Newer design — production from 2015 vs 2000.
Pick the Meridian if…
- Faster cruise — 241 kts vs 200 kts.
- More inventory — 109 listings vs 38.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.