PA46 History and Evolution
• 1984 – Introductory year.
• 1986 – Electric flaps. This eliminated problems when operating gear and flaps simultaneously.
• Late 1986 – Switched from Gar Kenyan hydraulics to Parker-Hannifin. This is the hydraulic
system used on all further Malibus and Mirages, up to the present time.
• 1989 – Introduction of Mirage. Switched engine from Continental TSIO-520 producing 310 HP
to Lycoming TIO-540 producing 350 HP, and improved the interior. Wing-mounted radar was
changed to pod-mounted, and windshield hot-plate was replaced by a heated windshield. Gross
weight was increased 200 pounds, but the Lycoming engine and new interior more than offset the
increase, so Mirages typically have smaller useful loads than Malibus.
• 1995 – Pilot’s heated windshield became glass, and the Bendix/King RDR-2000 vertical profile
radar became standard.
• 1996 – Engine gauges were changed to Transcoil EMIS. Lower left panel rocker switches
were moved overhead, freeing up some panel space.
• 1998 – Transcoil EMIS went from 2-line LCD display to a 3-line display. Lower right panel
rocker switches were moved to a new push-button panel on the upper right, annunciator panel
was replaced by an integral unit (instead of discrete modules), and upper right rocker switches
(e.g., avionics master) were moved to a bezel surrounding the ADI and HSI, freeing up more
panel space. A 3-blade Hartzell composite propeller became standard.
• 1999 – Autopilot was changed from Bendix/King KFC-150 to the KFC-225, which incorporates
the altitude preselect unit into the autopilot, and includes a faster autopilot processor. The wing
spar was strengthened so that it could be shared with the Meridian, which also allowed a slight
(10 pound) gross weight increase.
• 2000 – Autopilot was changed to the STEC-55, and Garmin 530’s became the standard
navigation and communication radios. Alternators were upgraded from 75 amps each to 80 amps
each.
• 2003 – Meggit Magic panel offered as an option
• 2006 – Avidyne Entegra panel
Factoids and modifications
• For the most part, the later the model, the smaller the useful load. Early models can carry as
much as 1400 pounds, and late models average a little below 1200 pounds.
• The Malibu’s Continental engine is generally smoother and more efficient than the Mirage’s
Lycoming engine, but the Mirage interior and avionics are generally much better.
• All Malibus and Mirages share the same basic airframe and pressurization system.
• Malibus come from the factory with a 310 HP Continental TSIO-520 engine. An STC is
available to install a 350 HP Continental TSIO-550 engine, derated to 310 HP, and most of the
fleet now carries the larger engine. 550-powered Malibus are generally the fastest in the fleet.
• Some Malibus have replaced the in-wing radar, which is widely considered useless, with a
pod-mounted radar, identical to the Mirage.
• Malibus and Mirages produced through 97 came from the factory with a 2-blade propeller.
Many have replaced that with a 4-blade MT composite the 3-blade Hartzell composite that is now
standard on current production Mirages since 1998. is available as well.
• An STC is available to increase fuel capacity from 120 gallons to 140 gallons.
• All Malibus and Mirages, prior to the 2003 model, were delivered from the factory with an
engine mount that is now subject to recurring inspections. Some aircraft have had the engine
mounts replaced with the new style, and these are not subject to inspections.
• A high-speed starter is available for the Lycoming engines, which makes starting a hot engine
much easier and is also a few pounds lighter. Many newer engines came from the factory with
these starters.
More detailed summary of 1996 through 2005 Model year changes
1996 Malibu Mirage – Serial Number 4636021 through 4636076
No manifold pressure drain
Overhead switch panel containing:
Starter, Battery master, Fuel pump, Bar-grounded magneto switches, Alternator #1
Alternator #2, Landing lights, Taxi lights, Navigation lights, Strobe lights, Day/night
annunciator/dim, Digital indicator reset (transcoil engine instruments), Normal dump cabin
pressure, Pitot Heat off/Inop Annuciator
Transcoil EMIS-Engine Monitoring Instrument System
Ten large, full sweep, parallax-free, trend displays with 9 o’clock orientation for easy
scanning. Analog indicators include the following:
Manifold pressure, Turbine inlet temperature, Oil temperature, cylinder head
temperature, Fuel quantity left tank, RPM, Fuel flow, Oil pressure, Vacuum,
Fuel quantity right tank
A digital indicator provides continuous readout of the analog manifold pressure and RPM
indicators, as well as two additional selectable analog indicators. Other features
incorporated in the digital indicator include an outside air temperature indicator, external
audible alarm activation during exceedences, built-in operational self test, full color back
lighting, fuel management, exceedence recording and fuel imbalance monitors.
Re-configured instrument panel
PCR 3001 Electric clock with voice recorder standard
Argus 7000 Optional
1997 Malibu Mirage – Serial Number 4636077 through 4636131
Audio/ICS panel changed to PM6000
1998 Malibu Mirage – Serial Number 4636132 through 4636188 (projected)
Three blade composite propeller
80 amp alternators
BF Goodrich smart boot system
New generation avionics
New HSI/ADI Bezel
Redesigned (flat) annunciator panel
Redesigned control yoke
Cockpit entry hold added
New environmental switch panel
Transcoil engine instrumentation adds GPS interface and percent power
1999 Malibu Mirage- Serial Number 4636189 through 4636247
HFC-134A Air Conditioning System
Precise Flight Speed Brakes
KFC 225 Flight Control System with Altitude Pre-Select
High Density Foam Seats
KR-87 ADF Optional
KN-63 DME Optional
Metallic Paint Optional
After Serial #196 Increase Takeoff Weight 4358 and structural wing change
After Serial #187 DuPont 6000 Paint System
After Serial #233 new and improved bearing
2000 Malibu Mirage- Serial Number 4636248 through 4636313
Base Price $869,800
New Inertia Reel Shoulder Harness, Safety Belts
Accessory Power Point, 28 Volt
Garmin Avionics Package
STEC System 55 AutoPilot
RCR 650A ADF Optional
DME 450 Optional
2001/2002 Malibu Mirage Serial Number 4636314 through 4636324
Aircraft delivered in 01 as 02 models
Base Price $897,600
Dual Garmin 530’s
Frisby Hydraulic System
New Digital Ammeter/Voltmeter
Enhanced Cabin Heating
Cabin Door Locking Pin Enhancement
Low Profile Red Tail Flashing Light
Pilot and CoPilot Air Gasper Location Refinements
Option #340 Enhanced Situation Awareness Package $40,215
#206 C/P Electric Attitude Horizon $2,620
#221 Stainless Steel Fasteners $840
#520 KRA10A Radar Altimeter $9,520
#525 650A ADF $5,310
#575 DME 450 $7,425
#821 KI229 RMI $4,795
#350 CD Roam Data Loader $2,075
#842 Second GTX327 Transponder $3060
#816 Servoed Drum Counter Encoding $7515
2002 Malibu Mirage Serial Number 325 through 343
Base Price $929,200
Stainless Steel Fasteners Standard
Option #206 C/P Electric Attitude Horizon $3,205
#340 Situation Awareness Package $41,740
#350 CD Rom Data loader $2,130
#363 Radar Altimeter $9,925
#525 650 ADF $5,515
`
#575 DME $7,740
#710 Mettallic Top or Bottom $1,070
#725 Paint Detailing Pinstriping $2,845
#821 KI-229 RMI $5,010
#842 2nd GTX-327 Transponder $3,245
2003 Malibu Mirage Serial Number 343 through 348
Base Price $929,200
Option #206 C/P Electric Attitude Horizon
#340 Situation Awareness Package IHAS 8000
#520 Radar Altimeter
#525 ADF
#575 DME
#637 KDR510 Data Link
#642 Meggit Magic EFIS
#816 Servoed Drum Counter Encoding Alt
#842 2nd GTX-327 Transponder
#710 Metallic Base Color
#725 Paint Detailing Pinstriping
$ 3,205
$55,610
$10,145
$ 5,710
$ 8,340
$ 8,910
$57,400
$ 8,005
$ 3,300
$ 1,105
$ 2,945
2004 Malibu Mirage Serial Number 349 through 363 20th Anniversary Model
Base Price $970,000
Option #206 C/P Electric Attitude Horizon
#340 Situation Awareness Package IHAS 8000
#520 KRA10A Radar Altimeter
#525 ADF
#575 DME
#637 KDR510 DataLink
#642 Meggit Magic EFIS
#816 Servoed Drum Counter Encoding Alt
#842 Second GTX-330 Transponder
#20d 20th Anniversary Special Option Package
Meggitt Magic EFIS, Situation Awareness
IHAS8000, KDR510, 2nd Transponder GTX330
#715 Optional Paint Scheme
#710 Bottom Metallic Base
#725 Paint Detailing Pinstriping
$ 3,090
$56,955
$ 9,255
$ 5,995
$ 8,785
$ 9,205
$62,500
$ 7,325
$ 5,235
$110,000
$ 3,745
$ 1,135
$ 2,945
2005 Malibu Mirage Serial Number 364 through 374
Base Price $970,000
 Serial Numbers 364-367 2004 Option Pricing
 Serial Numbers 368-374 2005 Option Pricing
Option #206 C/P Electric Attitude Horizon
#340 Situation Awareness Package IHAS8000
#520 KRA10A Radar Altimeter
#525 ADF
#575 DME
#637 KDR 510 DataLink
#642 Meggitt Magic EFIS
#816 Servoed Drum Counter Encoding Alt
#842 Second GTX-330 Transponder
#715 Optional Paint Scheme
#710 Bottom Metallic Base Color
#725 Paint Detailing Pinstriping
$ 3,185
$ 60,015
$ 10,705
$ 6,235
$ 9,135
$ 9,480
$ 67,940
$ 7,970
$ 7,765
$ 4,000
$ 1,170
$ 3,035