BeechTalk - BT

Username Protected · **Posted:** 20 Dec 2025, 10:30

Username Protected wrote:

Maybe this is irrelevant but 1700hrs (x2 engines): Most expensive engine maintenance/repair item to date is a compressor seal ($8000). It dripped a small amount of oil over a period of days/weeks, well within limits but I didn’t like having a container under the plane, and I didn’t want to be the guy leaking oil on the ramp. The most expensive, strictly necessary, engine item was an oil scavenge pump (many years ago but I recall about $3000

On the airframe side of things, I replaced two heated glass windshields for $70k. The didn’t strictly need replacement but one was well on the way and the labor to replace two is substantially less than double the cost to do a single side

My experience is that the expense (per mile) is comparable between pressurized piston or turboprop aircraft. The systems on turbine aircraft break less, and are simpler but more expensive if they do fail

You replaced the pilot side heated and the copilot non-heated and that was 70k or you replaced both twice?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 20 Dec 2025, 16:08

Username Protected wrote:

You replaced the pilot side heated and the copilot non-heated and that was 70k or you replaced both twice?

Just to help clarify, Mike R has a Solitaire, both pilot and copilot windshields are heated.

Some of the earlier MU2's have both windshields non-heated, with only a glycol spray bar for de-icing. They were still FIKI in that configuration. There is an STC to replace the pilot side with a heated windshield, both of my F models have this, as do most of the MU2's that I have looked at.

Hilgard

Username Protected · **Posted:** 20 Dec 2025, 20:59

Username Protected wrote:

You replaced the pilot side heated and the copilot non-heated and that was 70k or you replaced both twice?

Just to help clarify, Mike R has a Solitaire, both pilot and copilot windshields are heated.

Some of the earlier MU2's have both windshields non-heated, with only a glycol spray bar for de-icing. They were still FIKI in that configuration. There is an STC to replace the pilot side with a heated windshield, both of my F models have this, as do most of the MU2's that I have looked at.

Hilgard

Username Protected

What year model would be considered to be the best bang for the buck in a Meridian? Just guessing it would be about 2009 when they moved to the G-1000, but possibly some significant improvements just after that?

Username Protected

Username Protected wrote:

What year model would be considered to be the best bang for the buck in a Meridian? Just guessing it would be about 2009 when they moved to the G-1000, but possibly some significant improvements just after that?

There are sources for that info, but my recollection from when I was shopping for one, is that you basically want an '06 or newer. The '06-'08 are Avidyne, but have the higher gross weight. Earlier have to be modded for increased gross weight and have Meggit avoinics.

Personally, I think the G1000 is a horribly dated piece of hardware. I would get an avidyne bird and modify it with all the latest Garmin glass. The G1000 birds can not do that.

I owned an avidyne bird and regret not doing the Garmin Panel up front. I waited to do the work and then discovered that I could not afford the downtime for install. Incidentally, I'm flying a G1000 NXI equipped Citation and I still maintain that the G1000 is not worth having. Oh, and relatedly, some G1000 Meridians are not eligible for NXI upgrade, so be careful if you pursue a G1000 bird.

Username Protected

I believe the 2010-2015 Meridians are upgradable to Nxi. Would check with garmin if you have a serial number in mind to confirm. The 2015 on M500’s have their own upgraded avionics, not called Nxi. Not sure if the early ones are Nxi compatible. Consider signing up with PMOPA. Cheap entry to those that know the airframe. The M500 is a pretty healthy upgrade from the Meridian, and has the envelope protection. Would want to make sure your serial # is elegible for the GWX8000. A different league of radar.

Username Protected

I would strongly recommend a pre g1000 Meridian—2001 to 2008. Those aircraft can undergo avionics upgrades without PIpers involvement. Apparently the G1000 is part of the type certificate and cannot be removed or upgraded without Piper and Garmins involvement and approval. To this point Piper has been VERY unhelpful with this. I believe the NXI upgrade was taken on by Garmin for the Meridians and was never done for the Mirages(piston version). You cant add the GWX 8000 to the earlier g1000 meridians, they are stuck w the GWX68, even w the nxi upgrade. Just ridiculous in my opinion.

The Avidyne airplanes avionics are not part of the type certificate so their panels can be fully upgraded without Pipers involvement thankfully.

If I was going to buy one I would be looking 2004 to 2008. 2001-2003, you may be missing a few of the upgrades such as gross weight increase and fuel temp sensor.

Username Protected

Anything prior to a G1000. I think a G600 AP plus G500 is much better than a g1000 and your not beholden to Garmin.

Username Protected

WOW, Thanks for the guidance!

Username Protected

These guys are right. A G1000 isn't a terrible thing to have right now, but what about in another 5-10 years? We may all be flying the latest AI enabled Garmin panel in our pre-2009 birds and the G1000 probably won't be supported. Too risky.

Considering buying a Meridian