What does a TBM or M600 have for NM per pound of fuel burned?

My Eagle II is .60nm per pound in cruise up high. At least that’s what my GTN says. Do the Turbo Props show efficiency that way?


Mike

With a tail wind. At 430 it should be about 700pph for 365tas. =.52 nm pp. Unless you were very light.

Cruise fuel burn, safely below max temps, in TBM850 at FL 280 is 54GPH = 378lbs. Equaling 300-310KTAS. Similar numbers at higher altitude up to 310 but lower fuel burn. Perhaps 49-50gph but others can give more accurate figures.

Fuel burn and speeds above depends on OAT. These are #’s though that I could depend on year round.

I see 54-56 gph at FL310, and 304 true.

With a tail wind. At 430 it should be about 700pph for 365tas. =.52 nm pp. Unless you were very light.

The M600 at FL300, Typical ISA+10, 262 KTAS at 232 pph is no wind at 1.13 nm/pound. So about twice as efficient in cruise, but factor the bigger delta down low, and is way more than twice as efficient in the block.

Chuck

Thanks for doing the math. Yeah a M600 is pretty dang efficient. If it fits your mission it’s hard to beat.

Too bad we are all super tall and heavier.

Not to bash on the Piper product but my mirage felt like it was made from Pringle chip
Material compared to the Cessna product. My 421 and 501 are built like tanks compared to
The PA46. But I have never been in the M600. It sure looks beefier and super nice.


Mike

Sure it’s a true statement. Citations are being salvaged regularly. Even in this crazy market I’ve seen a few 2000 and later model year Citation II’s (let’s call it a Bravo!) sent right to the junkyard this year. Of course values are up for everything but Citations are just another airplane. And they are not $20k/yr airplanes for anyone who wants to keep them airworthy. That isn’t even remotely realistic but I still love optimism.

I never felt like the Mirage was flimsy. Pretty tough aircraft to live in the flight levels. Certainly the Meridian is stronger than the Mirage, and the M600 stronger than the Meridian, which it has to be to sport a mach 0.55, 251 knot Vmo. But they are all certified to fly safely in their envelope. Flight levels are a tough area. Big clouds, thin air, if you lose control, speed increases scary fast.

Ok Mike, you win. No need for a personal attack. We bought our first 550 around 1989. I own two part 145 repair stations, one of which has supported Citations including legacy models for 14 years. The FAA requires training, current manuals, and tooling. Personally I hold the 525S and 500 type ratings, though not current in them since 2017. I love Citations. I would like to own and operate one again soon.

I come here for the aviation entertainment, camaraderie, and education. I don’t come here to sell anything. So while I would love to own one, it is only my personal experience plus that of operator friends current and past which have taught me that there is no free lunch in aviation. Good on you if you can support one for the cost of a Piper Meridian. I’ve spent near $20k on recurrent, a CAMP subscription and a tank of fuel BWTFDIK? And that’s all I’m going to say about it.

Meanwhile, where’s that thread about a TBM vs a Meridian?

Chuck, I was under the impression that all of the PA 46 airframes are essentially the same? Along these lines I know that the Mirage wing was beefed up in or about 99 to be the same as the newly introduced meridian. And I agree with you on the sturdiness of the plane. I also think Piper did a pretty good job with the fit and finish. I have had my 2013 Mirage for 7 months and am very pleased with it. No problems whatsoever.

The Meridian came out in 2001, so not sure about that. Never heard the Mirage was beefed up the same as the Meridian. Could be. I just don't know.

I don’t think the Mirage was beefed up to be like a Meridian. It was just beefed up.

To be fair I had a 1990 Mirage. Nothing like the new Mirage. I got into a newer mirage and it was way nice.

But comparing my 1990 Mirage to my 1977 421 and 1978 501sp there is a huge difference in how they are built. I have never been in a M600 but they look really nice. My 1982 Saratoga was built even weaker than my 1990 Mirage. I think the lighter the plane the more they have to cut weight and corners on strength. Makes sense.

The 501sp has a max gross of 12,500lbs. That’s a lot more than a Mirage so it should be beefier.

Mike

Now there you go, exactly!

In 1999 the tail of the Mirage was beefed up and I understand it is exactly the same as the Meridian,the M600 has a totally different wing and the tail is also stronger to support the Increased VNE of 251 KTS IAS.