AeroBD | The AERO news Company…: The Piper Aircraft M600 turboprop has received TIA (Type Inspection Authorization), marking a milestone for the aircraft’s testing and certification program. TIA initiates the formal FAA flight evaluation of the M600 including type design, airworthiness, and performance and handling characteristics.

The TIA followed a flight-testing program that has totaled more than 1,440 hours to date on three M600 development aircraft. The three M600s in the flight test fleet exceeded performance expectations by achieving a max speed of 274kts and a max range of 1,441 nautical miles. The originally design speed was 260kts with a range of 1,200 nautical miles.

Piper Aircraft is targeting final FAA Type Certification of the M600 in the third quarter of 2016. The M600 seats six, is powered by a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-42A 600 shp engine and has a Garmin G3000 avionics suite.