packageflyer

I have a friend that owns a very nice 58 series Baron. He is quite tired of lower altitude IFR flights. He is interested in the TBM 700 series. I know nothing about these airplanes and would certainly appreciate any input from those of you out there that are knowledgeable. Other airplane he has considered is the Meridian. He obviously would like to get the greatest payload and speed without stepping up in the price range of the Pilatus. Most of his flying is summertime, 200NM trips.
I think I read somewhere there is a B and a C-Series. Please share the differences.

Ewfflyer

I used to work for a Piper/socata dealer full time, so I might have a enough info for you. The majority of my time is test flights and owner training.

Let's go over basic stats.

TBM700b vs 700C2(there is also the A's too, same as a B except it has clamshell door).
The C2 was when they got the gross weight increase. Appx another 500lbs giving you around 800lbs with full fuel(281 gal). So with this guy being a short trip type of guy, only bringing the tanks to 200 gal gives you same load, but losing 300nm range, not a factor if your trips stay short. The "b" will be cheaper also due to this and age. Much larger cabin than the meridians, and higher max indicated airspeed, but at cruise they are close, appx 270-280ktas. Fuel burn is about 55gph at altitude, probably 65gph is closer avg on short trips like you mentioned, and will still be flown at mid 20's easily unless you are in/out of east/west coast.

Early meridians without VG's have a pathetic useful load(just like A/B model TBM's, but TBM's have enough fuel to compensate). With 170gal fuel, and burning 42-45gph, doesn't leave much room to play with fuel loading. Based off the piston Malibu airframe, the meridian is beefed up with doublers on the wing spars, and a larger tail. Max KIAS is 188, so easily hit at any altitude below FL180, and during any descent. Busy airspace means you get forced down and you get a double whammy of increased fuel burn and loss of KTAS. It is by far the easiest airframe I have flown. Management is simple and an afterthought. Cruise is around 260-265 usually and higher is always better, for probably $500k less than a TBM.

So with some more information, I can give you more accurate trip information etc...

There are owner sites for both airframes, so if you get into either something you might want to look into, but as with anything out there, a lot of people think they are experts just because they own one.

davidpa28140

I'd say the above post is pretty much spot on with regards to the tbm, (btw the B model has efis) I have never flown the piper. I'd just like to add a few additional comments I've acquired in 1700 plus hours in a B model tbm. The useful load of the B model is a real pain in the backside unless you don’t have to go great distances, haul anyone or are ok making several stops… We take ours to Miami Florida from central PA 10 to 15 times a year and have to make fuel stops twice on the way if it’s got more than 4 people in it. (with full tanks the useful load is less than 300 pounds)
Second, the airplanes performance is less than stellar in ice(if you can’t get out of it right away) It seems to lose more power when the inertial separator (engine anti ice)is on than other pt 6’s I’ve flown (king airs/ Cheyenne’s) Twice in this machine I simply had to descend from the upper teens because it wouldn’t hold altitude or climb. Granted nothing is made for severe ice but these cases where far far less severe than I’d seen in my days of flying light twins (Navajo/Aztec/310’s/ 421’s/Barons/arrowstar/ etc) or the twin turbo props..
Third, the maintenance ain’t cheap and the factory isn’t in a rush..
All that said if you join the TBM owners and pilots forum(they charge you to join ) realize that 90% of the people there are owners and it might be hard for them to admit there could possibly be a better airplane out there than the “mighty TBM”
In closing, while it sounds like I hate the machine from the above, if an individual (not a corporation) wanted to buy one and understood it’s limitations it’s a fun little airplane with impressive performance . I personally would be looking for the later c2 model and avoid the B.