Aero-TV: Meridian Makeover -- The G1000 Upgrade

Piper's PA-46 Meridian Gets The G1000 Treatment

One of the more intriguing upgrades we saw on our last visit to Piper Aircraft was the availability of the G1000 avionics suite for the PA-46-500TP Meridian six-seat single-engine turboprop aircraft. Initial deliveries of Meridians equipped with the G1000 are already underway.

"We are dedicated to providing our customers with the very best technology our industry has to offer," said Piper President & CEO James K. Bass. "Now, with the G1000 available for the Meridian, we are giving this amazing aircraft an avionics suite that enables it to meet its full potential."

Garmin's all-glass flightdeck in the Meridian presents all flight-critical data -- from engine and flight instrumentation to navigation, communication, weather, terrain and traffic data -- digitally on three large-format, high-resolution displays. The 15-inch multi-function display is flanked by two 10.4-inch PFDs; Garmin's Synthetic Vision Technology will also be offered as standard with the application.

"The G1000 gives pilots highly-detailed, highly-reliable, yet easy-to-use information that ultimately makes flying safer and more enjoyable, and we are confident Meridian pilots will appreciate the advanced capabilities it offers," said Gary Kelley, Garmin's vice president of marketing.

In addition to SVT, the G1000 suite on the Meridian will also include the GFC 700 three-axis digital automatic flight control system with autopilot; dual solid-state Attitude and Heading Reference System; dual digital air-data computers; Mode S transponder with Traffic Information Service; and GWX 68 weather radar.

This marks Piper's second flight deck agreement with Garmin; the first was for the Olathe, KS avionics manufacturer to supply the avionics suite for the upcoming PiperJet. Despite recent advances by rival Avidyne, whose glass panels are currently standard through the Piper line... one senses this probably won't be the last time we see "Piper" and "Garmin" in the same sentence, either.

Aero-TV Gets Briefed On Piper/Garmin's Meridian Makeover!

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