Piper Merdian 500: Buyer’s and Investor’s Guide
Pros: The M500 is among the least expensive certified turboprops in production. It comes with modern features like the Garmin G1000 avionics suite and a comfortable pressurised cabin.
Cons: It trails behind most modern turboprops when it comes to performance and cabin layout. It also lacks the safety systems compared with the likes of the TBM980.
Flying:
The M500 is powered by Pratt & Whitney PT6A-42A engine producing 500 horsepower, reaching a maximum cruise speed of 260 KTAS with a range of around 1000 nautical miles. Against its closest rival the Pilatus PC-12 NGX, which cruises at 290 KTAS with a range of 1,803nm, the M500 concedes in both aspects. However, it has a significantly lower purchase price.
The M500’s service ceiling of 30,000ft allows it to climb above most weather. This makes it a practical and a capable cross-country aircraft.
The PT6A-42A engine has a time between overhauls of 3,600 hours, which is one of the longest in its class. This results in lower maintenance interruptions and greater reliability.
The Garmin G1000 NXi avionics suite with GFC 700 autopilot keeps pilot workload manageable on single operator flights. Also, the M500’s handling is praised for being forgiving- a real advantage for pilots transitioning from Piston to Turboprop for the first time.
Owning:
A new M500 is priced at around $2.73m (£2.06m) as of 2025, making it one of the least expensive new turboprops on the market.
Annual maintenance costs range from $25,000 to $50,0000 depending on usage. The PT6A-42A engine benefits from one of the most extensive support networks in the industry. Piper backs this aircraft with a factory warranty, and the Piper Owner Society provides additional support and resources to owners.
Average maintenance is around $284 per hour, which is notably lower than faster aircraft such as the TBM 980. This makes the M500 one of the most cost-effective aircraft of its type out there. The caveat to this is that all maintenance must be carried out at a Piper authorised service centre.
The M500 also holds its value well, with the 2016 model going around $1.6m and the 2023 model for $2.4m.
Travelling:
The M500 cabin measures 3ft 10 in, 4ft 2in wide and 12ft 3in long. It is compact, which is a noticeable compromise for ownership experience. With four passengers and a pilot there is ample room, but if it is at full capacity the lack of space is felt, especially over longer flights. Against the PC-12 NGX which offers a significantly larger cabin, the M500’s modest size is a trade-off for its lower price point.
The M500 features premium leather seats with adjustable backrests, LED accent lighting, individual cup holders, reading lights, air vents and a built-in worktable. Its USB charging ports, lighting controls and individual seat controls for each seat add a layer of modern convenience. It also has a pressurised cabin.
Hard Facts: Piper Meridian 500
- Range: 1,151m/1,852km/1000nm
- Maximum speed: 300mph/481kmph/260KTAS
- Service ceiling: 30,000ft
- Typical passengers: 4 Pax + 1 Pilot
- Typical crew: 1 Pilot
- Typical price (new): $2.73m (£2.06m)