Piper Cheyenne 400

Twin Turboprop· 25 globally registered

The Piper PA-46-500TP Meridian represents the turboprop evolution of Piper's pressurized single-engine line, introduced in 2000 as a more powerful and efficient successor to the piston-powered Malibu. Powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-42A producing 500 shaft horsepower, the Meridian delivers jet-like cabin pressurization and a 260-knot cruise speed while burning significantly less fuel than light twins. Its 1,000-nautical-mile range and 30,000-foot service ceiling make it a favorite among owner-pilots and small charter operators seeking the economics of a single engine with the performance and comfort of a light turbine aircraft. The Meridian's pressurized cabin, Garmin G1000 avionics in later models, and known-icing certification provide genuine all-weather capability rare in the single-engine class. While not as fast as its jet-powered sibling the M500 or as capacious as a King Air, the Meridian carved out a loyal following for balancing operating costs, cabin comfort, and cross-country speed. Its six-seat configuration and club seating make it equally suited to family travel and small business transport, and the type remains in production today as part of Piper's M-Class lineup. SkyMeter has tracked 29 flights across 8 airframes and 8 operators, with GSP AIR LLC the largest observed operator.