Originally Posted by Ewfflyer

2STG, I'm extremely familiar with both the TBM and Meridian as it is my job to demonstrate them, train new owners, yadi yadi, I have 770+hrs between the two.

I will say yes, the Meridian will be best bang for the buck over the mileage. You're going to be sacrificing the Useful load, which you calculated. It is a great 500-700nm airplane with 1-3 folks in the plane. Assuming you get one with the GW-increase, you'll have 400-500lbs with full fuel. So some fuel planning can be used, and you can get some loading out of it. The capacity is 170 gal(1140lbs), which burning 40-43gph at cruise(figure 60gph first hour) flying at 260ktas+, it is a 3hr plane. Bring the fuel back to 800lbs, and you got around 1.5-2hrs w/ reserve, and you just gained another 300+lbs, and you can get a 300-400nm trip in most conditions very easily. You can get into a brand-new Meridian for under $2mil right now(we have these in stock) and I know they have around 510lbs useful on those with Full Fuel.(And G1000 cockpit!!!!!)

Now, the TBM, which is by far a superior airframe because it was built from day-one to be a turbine. TBM's handle "heavier" in the roll because they have huge flaps, and tiny ailerons supplemented by spoilers tied into their motion. The interior is obviously going to be larger than the meridian, but about the same baggage space. The 700A/B are definately in the $1-1.5mil mark, a 700C2 would be in the $1.5-2mil mark. My company has both a 700B and 700C2 in inventory(FOR SALE BTW!!!), both with WAAS garmins, and GMX200 MFD's. The biggest difference is paint, interior, and of course the 500+lbs you gain in useful load by going with the C2. You'll get around a 270-280ktas, 50-55gph at altitude, and with 281gal of fuel on board, you can go a lot further than the meridian can dream about. So the obvious with the 700B is to keep only 200gal on it, you then have gained 536lbs, making it an 800lb useful, and you can still fly further than the Meridian.

As far as Mx, Under Part 91 flying the Meridians are just planned on Annual's, the TBM's have 100hr inspections set-up already. So makes an easy transition there if you went 135 with one. Obviously you have a domestic aircraft vs. a foreign, so yes there could be some parts delays if something "suprising" happens, but the daily stuff we have no problems with. I honestly don't deal much in this area, couldn't even tell you how much it costs, but I do the test-flights when they come out just to verify we did everything correctly and solved any problems the aircraft had coming in.

Besides all this great info, where are you located? I'm betting outside our region, but that only hurts us if you are wanting a new airframe. The used ones we can sell anywhere. Shoot me a PM if you have any other questions regarding the airframes.