There is little or nothing to attribute to the PA-31T design in these accidents. As with all turboprops, minor variations-as little as ten to twenty-five RPM-in RPM from normal cruise settings can work wonders in sound level, sound quality and vibration. Holding the column with my left hand, I tried a gentle turn and was How about a Cheyenne I that has those big engines? Some of the original Cheyenne tooling was lost and this limits Piper's ability to fabricate replacement parts. the PA-42 - essentially a turboprop-powered Navajo. As the power is increased, the nose wheel oleo batteries are not fully charged or the aircraft is pointing downwind. The PA-42 Cheyenne is a larger development of the earlier PA-31T Cheyennes I and II (which are, in turn, turboprop developments of the PA-31 Navajo). has been used twice. Maximum operating weight is 500 pounds higher than the Cheyenne II. Airline: Private. This trait can be traced to the Cheyennes roots in the Navajo airframe. 0000096310 00000 n So we now face the dilemma confronting many fellow airplane owners, whether they be the proud possessor of a Cessna 172 or a Falcon 50: what to do with a great airplane of a certain age that is bumping up against another mandated and expensive intervention. It has a 98% dispatch reliability and its cabin is quieter than a King Air. My retirement account is a shadow of its former self. Icing conditions existed. 0000052368 00000 n PIPER Cheyenne 400 | SKYbrary Aviation Safety Within our first year of ownership, my wife and I traveled to Bermuda, multiple Caribbean locations, and a 1,400-nm nonstop from Aspen, Colorado to Leesburg, Virginia. Flew one of these from Seoul, South Korea to the US (via Eastern Russia). It carries more and further and does it all for about half the cost of a comparable bizjet. 0000069142 00000 n Maintenance Steve Magginetti is service coordinator for Corporate Air Technology of San Jose, Cal. Maybe we should get another airplane. His insight on actual ownership cost would be insightful. He writes about his enthusiasm for both the machines and the people who fly and maintain them. Early versions tend to be dark and cramped. The 400LS has 100-hour inspection intervals, engine midlife inspections are due at 1,500 hours and overhaulscome at 3,000 hours. 0000151773 00000 n The company painted a Cheyenne demonstrator in a blueprint format to point out all the technical advantages Piper marketing people perceived for the design. If that doesnt work, think about the single-engine turboprops. They have trouble getting repair parts to keep those planes flying too. Because of the reduced power, initial climb rate dropped by almost 1,000 fpm compared to the original model, and maximum cruise speed fell by 40 knots. 0000013091 00000 n Single pilot, fast, can haul, mx and acquisition cost cheaper then a king air. History Whether internal disagreement affected development or not, the Cheyenne had a long gestation period. I think about how lucky we were that the Cheyenne was under contract by the time we made an offer. The Garretts have sophisticated protection systems built in. It is an aeroplane that dies everything well. 0000094308 00000 n bizjet. 0000296378 00000 n Thats about 13 months away, given our average yearly flying. Piper Cheyenne 400LS: Outpacing the Test of Time 0000012075 00000 n With the Cheyenne, on the other hand, we have had no downtime for maintenance whatsoever, except for the regular scheduled inspections. It is very difficult to keep the nose wheel off when landing in this condition. They can be awful tempting given the low purchase price, but they are priced that low for a reason. The airplane has two imposing TPE331-14 engines, each capable of producing 1,600+ SHP de-rated to 1,000 HP at its five-bladed MT propellers. The greater the speed displacement, the heavier the pull. Copyright 2023 Flying Media. It explains the jet-like climb rate of 3,200 feet per minute at max takeoff weight, a cruise speed of 350 knots, and a service ceiling of FL410. In December, the plant was shut. The airplane failed to meet FAA stability requirements, so it was back to the drawing board for a fix. The Navajo is arguably one of the best cabin-class twins, but its airframe was designed for 300-HP piston engines, not turbines that are both far more powerful and much lighter. Pete Bedell is a pilot for a major airline and co-owner of a Cessna 172 and Beechcraft Baron D55. The Price for Power - FLYING Magazine Piper is a strange company. Rotol propellers (whose diameter is the same as the chassis length of a The eighth seat sits partly in front of the door and partly in the rear cabin baggage compartment. The interior was upgraded and the instrument panel was redesigned, including a lower glare shield to improve visibility. This helps to maintain the engines on an on-condition basis. Today, the 400LS averages a purchase price under $1 million, with total fixed and variable hourly operating expenses of $1,500. Why is the hourly cost so high when only burning 60gph? But then they would lose part of the reason for owning the II. Accidents The two most notorious Cheyenne accidents were original PA-31Ts involving longitudinal control-the much maligned SAS system. shows that this is clearly a problem. of limits parameters as well as taking vital signs every time you push the The PA-42-1000 Cheyenne 400LS seats up to 10 passengers plus 1 pilot. Unfortunately, only about 45 were made, making it a rare hot rod indeed. A true performer (Single Pilot) that resembles Jet Performace for half of the fuel burn and operational cost. So long as the propellers are balanced and the synchrophaser is in good trim (and the pilot knows how to use it correctly), in cruise the interior is quite comfortable. The value of our Cheyenne is almost down to the run out price, so the next year is essentially free. An STC has reportedly That's becoming the bigger problem for some of these airframes, parts availability is scarce to non-existent. In 1978, Piper came out with another version of the Cheyenne, the Cheyenne I. 0000022418 00000 n Pete Bedell is a pilot for a major airline and co-owner of a Cessna 172M and Beechcraft Baron D55. The right and left furl systems are independent of each other and are connected only when a crossfeed system is activated. Piper's advertising blurb claims it is quieter than the ADCAAAv3X23,ft0>!A ,/dtD'0` lC$hPgso25M```-'AAy6cl 33f\5Q[7nlSzRNL`@%#K .2, Y7o The difference between the left front seat and a cabin chair can be substantial, especially if propeller-induced vibration is being transmitted from the aft fuselage). The original system had some problems, but modifications over the years seem to have helped. Thank you very much for sharing your love of the 400LS. Aircraft Location: Stockton, California. The potential danger is obvious. Its a shame Piper stopped manufacturing the PA42-1000 in 1992 due to a continuing economic downturn, forcing most aircraft manufacturers into bankruptcy. How about a young-engine Cheyenne II with its stability augmentation system that makes buyers be wary? 0000008359 00000 n Some Meridians go for as little as $900,000, and they are 20 years newer than the 1980s models of Cheyennes out there. 0000010782 00000 n There is enough to manage in a Cheyenne even in good weather that it definitely is in the category of a check list airplane. There is a lot to the proper care of the rest of the airplane, too. more and further and does it all for about half the cost of a comparable They should be in maintenance costs, as well, so long as they are properly operated and maintained. That is a fair description of the original Cheyenne. The massive Dowty-Rotol composite propellers are expensive and have only eight inches of ground clearance, leading to erosion problems. surprised by the heavy controls. Could we ever get our investment back at time of sale? Noise level is about average for a turboprop. It was costly close to $40,000. of the manual under: 'Tips for operators'. Standard operating procedure We looked the records for a representative five-year period, during which a total of 187 service difficulty reports (SDRs) were submitted on the PA-31T series, including the PA-31T3/T-1040. The aircraft is not the easiest to keep straight on the centre line. Trim must be run to fully nose up during the final approach and then conscious effort made to put in sufficient, gradual up elevator (gradual to keep from ballooning) to touch down on the main gear. 0000002116 00000 n Search more Piper airplanes on Hangar67. We have a former MU2 owner on this forum. For a pilot with no turbine experience, the I or IA would be the best choice because it is the least demanding to operate. Please contact Mike Shafer (315) 415-0401. PIPER 400LS. It takes particular attention during single pilot operations to keep everything in order and right side up while avoiding traffic. One reason for these problems may be that a pair of hurricanes smacked Piper's Vero Beach, Fla. plant in 2004 and destroyed or severely damaged 300,000 square feet of it. been approved for five bladed scimitar propellers from Hartzell, which Serial #: 42-5527036. Passenger comfort is good in our aircraft. Whats in a name Both in their design designations and marketing model names, there is a lot of confusion about what is what. These discussions open up even more variables. Studying the Pilot's manual The Piper Cheyenne 400LS, PA-42-1000 is the final development and improvement of the venerable Cheyenne line of twin turboprop business aircraft. Other records later set by the 400LS, again piloted by Yeager in 400LS N4118Y (later reregistered as N46HL) for the C-1e Group 2 class, were: Miami-to-Boston, Miami-to-New York City, San Francisco-to-Charleston, West Virginia, San Francisco-to-Cincinnati, San Francisco-to-Los Angeles, New York City-to-Paris, Washington, DC-to-Paris and Gander-Paris. On the other hand, one engine burns less gas, has only one prop, etc. The pitch instability also becomes a problem in holding patterns at reduced airspeeds between 12,000 and 16,000 feet. On the other hand, we were totally unprepared for the $4,000 annunciator-panel repair, the frequent heater and air-conditioner repairs and the little valve that controls the bleed air pressure to. That problem is the phugoid stability. Login Dealer Login Register . PIPER 400LS - Aero Resources Inc - YUMPU Garrett TPE 331-engined airplanes, such as the Aero Commanders, Mitsubishi MU-2s or even Swearingen (Fairchild) Merlin II and III models are a totally different category and set of considerations. To me theyre a lot. In the worst accident in terms of loss of life, seven people were killed when an ATP took off in a IIXL and tried to scud run but hit the side of a mountain. PIPER CHEYENNE 400LS condition is Used PIPER CHEYENNE 400LS Total Flight Time PIPER CHEYENNE 400LS total flight time is 6,465 PIPER CHEYENNE 400LS Total Engine Time PIPER CHEYENNE 400LS total engine time is P51041 PIPER CHEYENNE 400LS Category PIPER CHEYENNE 400LS category is Turboprop Aircraft PIPER CHEYENNE 400LS PIPER CHEYENNE 400LS Pics 0000012150 00000 n endstream endobj 268 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/Index[6 175]/Length 29/Size 181/Type/XRef/W[1 1 1]>>stream The TBM is smaller than the Cheyenne and has no potty, but you get there so quickly, Im sure I can hold on long enough. In October of 2019, with four occupants, we traveled through Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Ireland, Italy and back to Leesburg. Likes: 6. 0000082142 00000 n There is a lot to it. All Cheyenne 400LS Aircraft Now Have Available RVSM Solutions This same engine takes seven seconds to go from idle to full power. has contracted with Isaacman Associates. An angle of attack sensor on the right side of the nose measures and transmits angle of attack to a simple computer which commands a servo to vary downspring tension. To the pilot, such an airplane will have a normal feel. It true??? 0000006751 00000 n As to the latter, the bluebook says $120,000 to $160,000 per side, and thats a lot, but Ive heard horror stories some apocryphal suggesting that once the engine is opened, it is not uncommon to hear that the price has escalated. This reason they stop mfg chevenne 400Ls turboprop aor craft too. The numbers The PA-31T was produced from 1974 to 1983. A fleet of this size does not provide the manufacturer and maintenance shops enough incentives to produce parts and specialized maintenance support. outrageous or brilliant or both. If the design has died with the old Piper Aircraft Company, The problem is essentially that The Piper Cheyenne 400LS is uniquely positioned to adapt to our various missions in payload, distance and speed. The 90 series King Airs and the Cessna 425 Conquest I are the only other similar airplanes in the PT6-powered category. Although becoming an Earth-rounder has been postponed by the COVID-19 crisis, we are looking forward to completing the mission in a post-pandemic world. No one seems to be able to explain the reason. ].i{R8:eozN./s+rSr}_" F"hBbA*9.H[bAF,%VxEp!deBBYaf9'g%FKF8x{SCZ Q0n=\CN*k5h._5cg)xw`u4 Jl3lHPEt The only barricade between me and accomplishment of such grown-up activities is the fact that I love our Cheyenne. It carries more and further and does it all for about half the cost of a comparable bizjet. It sprouted the now-typical wing tip fuel tanks, PT6A-28 engines flat rated to 620 SHP and a redesigned flight control system that included a stability augmentation system (SAS) that became an item of major controversy and a blot on the reputation of the entire series. These flag hot starts and other out PAPI Price Estimate Model Year (as of June 1, 2022): $1,308,533 Performance specifications Horsepower: 2 x 1,000 HP Best Cruise Speed: 334 KIAS Best Range (i): 1,879 NM Fuel Burn: 99.7 GPH Rate of climb: 3,242 FPM Rate of climb (1 engine out): 997 FPM Ceiling: 41,000 FT At high angles of attack, the vane causes the spring to pull the controls forward, thus providing artificial static stability. Piper was never noted for sophisticated engineering. All rights reserved. Used Turbine Review: Cheyennes: The I, IA, II, AND IIXL maximum 30 percent power setting becomes apparent from reading the last page 1985 PIPER CHEYENNE 400LS Turboprop Aircraft Price: USD $1,300,000 Aircraft Location: Stockton, California Serial Number: 425527026 Registration #: N142LS Total Time: 2,415 Number of Seats: 9 Number of Blades: 4 Airframe Notes: Registration: N142LS (FKA JA8853) to be U.S. registered shortly Serial Number: 425527026 Ai. It successfully smashed all the records in its class and set overall records to 6,000 and 12,000 meters. There have been more than enough lectures about the need to be very serious about all aspects of caring for and operating this type of airplane. Cheyenne 400LS PA 42 1000 for Sale - Globalair.com It can operate out of 3,000ft (900m) runways with a 97kn (180km/h) minimum control speed, similar to a King Air 300; it can operate from much shorter hot and high runways than a Citation I and landing is shortened by the rotating speedbrake effect of the propellers in beta pitch. A number of pilots have commented on the pitch sensitivity of the original Cheyenne during maximum power climb, with cg toward the aft limit and in approach mode. The contenders are the Piper Meridian, the jet-prop and the TBM. What could. Besides, in 10 years of ownership, our potty (I really dont like this term shouldnt we just call it a relief bowl, or something like that?) Deliveries began in early 1974 - a long time Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association Find it free on the store. At any speed less than 130 knots, the aircraft starts to oscillate. Full Reverse allows for landing in shorter distances than even many single and piston twins. My wife tires a bit when I bring up the subject, but she knows that when Im staring out the window and she asks what Im thinking about, the answer is always the same: engines. There is One of the most annoying features of the Cheyenne was the Janitrol combustion heater which, although thermostatically controlled, was either on or off. 0000179961 00000 n In ground handling and during cross-wind operations it is especially troublesome, since it fights the desired control inputs. Cheyennes used PT6A-28 versions of the turbine engine. Owner Comments My company has flown a 1983 Cheyenne I for two years now and we have over 900 hours on it. Corrosion of the airframe has been rare, thanks to Piper's use of extensive anti-corrosion treatments and epoxy primers. The IIXL is best in terms of leg room for everyone. Think it would meet your range requirements. All rights reserved. 0000000016 00000 n This model, designated the PA-31T-620, was manufactured from 1974 to 1977. It uses less runway, climbs and cruises faster than many pure jets. Their advice is dont do anything yet. 0000052081 00000 n Up front, most remaining 400LS models have been updated with some level of glass avionics. It outperformed all turboprops and even Cessna Citations of the day with 351 KTS at 25,000 feet (or 290 KTS at 41,000 feet) on 60 gallons of Jet A/hour, and a range of 1,800-plus nm with IFR reserve. On this particular aircraft, the most stable ILS approaches are flown at 140 knots, in order to keep the phugoid from becoming a problem. by a remarkable 60 knots to well over 400 knots. The Piper 400LS has everything I am looking for. My most trusted advisor is Bill Turley, a friend for 25 years and owner of our maintenance base, Aircraft Engineering in Bartow, Florida. You're a power user moving through this website with super-human speed. I just happened on this article. AM With its powerful Garrett TPE 331-14-801 turboprop powerplants and capable systems, Piper's Cheyenne 400LS operates quite comfortably at altitudes as high as 41,000 feet while achieving impressive speeds Best/worst Compared to the mainstay of the turboprop fleet, the King Air series, any of the Cheyenne series is a bargain. Late in 1966 a Navajo was ferried to Edward J. Swearingens facility for installation of a pair of PT6A-6A engines. to redesign the interior for greater actual. With the optional tip tanks installed, the fuel capacity is increased to 390 U.S. gallons. basically a re-engined piston pressurised PA-31P Navajo. %PDF-1.2 % The average Janitrol event costs about $2,000, which includes a deep-cycle charging of the ni-cad batteries. The Cessna Citation became the economical jet of choice for business travel. Gear and flap speeds are sufficiently high to fit in to a wide range of traffic situations. J. Lynn Helms became the boss that same year. PDF Piper PA-42-1000 - McFarlane Aviation A standard Cheyenne I came without wing-tip fuel tanks, but they were available as an option, and almost everyone anted up. The majority of the Cheyenne 400LS aircraft were fitted with nine seats, including a potty seat that can be completely enclosed by an accordion door neatly hidden in its furniture cabinet. Compared to the I, these engine improvements gave the IA up to 12 more knots at the IAs service ceiling of 29,000 feet and about 6 knots at maximum cruise power and 12,000 feet. The Honeywell (Garrett) TPE331-14 engine and its fuel control unit are controlled by a computer for ease of operations. 0000009642 00000 n Loading All three models have large capacity nose baggage compartments (a maximum of 20 cubic feet with a 300 pound load limit, depending upon the model and the type of avionics installed) and another bay in the aft fuselage. These are the PA-31T series, or Cheyenne/II, Cheyenne I/IA and Cheyenne IIXL (plus an unpressurized hybrid developed for the air taxi and commuter markets, the PA-31T3 or T-1040) and the PA-42 series, which consists of the T-tailed and longer-fuselage Cheyenne III/IIIA and Cheyenne IV/400LS. 0000092936 00000 n Despite the very noisy reputation of TPE331 on the ramp, passengers can comfortably carry on conversations without headsets during cruise. Most of the pilots involved in the reported accidents and incidents held ATP or commercial certificates; eight of the total held private licenses and one, a fatal accident, was flown by a student pilot. Some owners report that the 400LS lacks the build quality compared to a King Air and its rarity can cause head scratches from mechanics who may never have seen one. Our problem is that the right engine from day one has periodically and suddenly lost two or three quarts of oil. As a result, the aircraft can travel more than 2,000 nm in a long-range cruise. Who are you using for service, and are you having trouble getting parts? What Does a Pilot Require To Remain Current in an Aircraft Requiring a Type Rating? The in-flight shut down and premature removal rates of the PWC PT6 engine family is impressive. Photo date: 2022-04-23. For both individual and corporate owners, the early Cheyennes make sense as step-up purchases, as long as the combination of low price, low maintenance, and high-performance remains in vogue. Deliveries of production Cheyenne IIIs began on June 30, 1980. Engine gauges are monitored for safety. You can get a pair with 1,500 hours remaining (that hes just taken off a II that was getting fitted with those big 135As) for $370,000. Uploaded: 2022-07-05. A review of briefs of the 56 accident and incident reports a typical five-year period include eight fatal accidents, two of which were in commercial T-1040s. Two 30 volt, 200 ampere, D.C. starter/generators in parallel provide torque for engine starting and generate D.C. electrical power. The 400LS provides its owner with jet-like climb and cruise performance, along with turboprop efficiency and the ability to use numerous smaller airports that the jets cant. Flight test - Piper Cheyenne 400LS - PlaneCheck The PA-31T finally was certified in May 1972. these blades will suffer when used on dirt airstrips, the clearance has 0000068591 00000 n The lack of suitable piston engines, however, was a major factor in the failure of Pipers own Fat Albert, the Pocono. 0000003996 00000 n There is not a lot of competition to consider in this category. Epsilon . 0000173169 00000 n Quick Look: Piper Cheyenne 400LS - AOPA With its 351-knot max cruise speed, efficient Garrett engines, fastest climb rate in its class, FL410 service ceiling, long range and short/unimproved runway capability, the rare Piper Cheyenne 400LS can still outperform many turboprops and light jets in various phases of flight and missions. In 1975, he acknowledged many shortcomings and promised major improvements would take place in quality control and customer support. By the late 1970s, operators also turned to turboprops for even more efficient engines and better payload and range than most business jets, albeit a slower speed. The IIXL is also the most versatile load-hauler of the all the early Cheyennes. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Wing span (metric) 14.50 m. Length (metric) 13.20 m. Height (metric) 5.20 m. Powerplant. ). The PA-31T requires more of pilots than the -31T1 or -31T2 in terms of systems knowledge, planning and in-flight management. Same for the props. disperse. Radar and known-icing equipment are. No airplane in this category should be considered a weekend toy. be a direct competitor to the staid Beechcraft King Air 200. AIRFRAME Total Time: 3319 ENGINES 1719 Hrs Since Hot Sections 60 hrs remaining until 100 hr inspection PROPELLERS: Total Hours: 166 Two 1650 hp Turboprops (MT five bladed Scimitar Propellers) EXTERIOR Done in 2008 White w/Three Dark Green Stripes INTERIOR Six (6) Passenger Executive Configuration Air Conditioning: P3 Air Turbine Aft Lav Proper loading is a key issue in the operation of any of the PA-31T series, most especially with the original Cheyenne. Some people think the Cheyenne I is a better airplane because it has no SAS system. 0000068334 00000 n 0000007680 00000 n business class section of a Boeing 727. The aircraft has a maximum operating altitude of 31,000', a normal cruise speed of 260 KTS/299 MPH, and a 928 NM/1,068 SM seats-full range. The McCauley Accessory Division of Cessna offers a propeller conversion kit that-according to the company-reduces interior noise and improves performance. Pratt & Whitney of Canada PT6 engines power all but the 400LS, which uses Garrett (now Allied Signal Engines) TPE-331s. The reason for this We did a hot section on schedule on the right engine almost four years ago. Piper Cheyenne III & IIIA | Business Jet Traveler It pays to experiment (but dont judge the affects just by the pilots reaction. Price: USD $1,300,000. Even though there is an emergency backup to the SAS (a compressed air cylinder that imposes maximum nose-down force on the downspring), SAS is a no-go item on the PA-31T. So here is a brief scorecard. It uses less runway, climbs and cruises faster than many pure jets. The majority of the Cheyenne 400LS aircraft were fitted with nine seats, including a potty seat that can be completely enclosed by an accordion door neatly hidden in its furniture cabinet. This record is still standing after 35 years. Here is one more: if you dont have the time and money to spend on learning what is required and then doing it, stick to your local rent-a-wreck for your aviating needs. I believe they only built 44 of them. Ive never flown one and am not sure how I feel about taking a Malibu and bolting a PT6 on the front of an airframe designed for a 350 horsepower piston. There are a few reasons this might happen: To regain access, please make sure that cookies and JavaScript are enabled before reloading the page. The massive Dowty-Rotol composite propellers are expensive and have only eight inches of ground clearance, leading to erosion problems. Are these big-engine Cheyennes as fast as they say? Operated within their limits, there are few peculiar characteristics other than the pitch sensitivity of the original Cheyenne. The Cheyenne could not compete with Cessna Conquest IIs top speed of 300 KTS, service ceiling of 35,000 feet and higher payload. 0000012416 00000 n These other airplanes come in two varieties: another Cheyenne for which another owner has taken the leap and done the engines and now has to sell; or a different airplane such as a single-engine turboprop. All share a common heritage: the basic PA-31 design originally introduced as the Navajo. Its empennage was enlarged for stability at higher speeds and altitudes, and its fuselage was strengthened. 0000012000 00000 n 0000092671 00000 n N47ZG | 1986 PIPER CHEYENNE 400LS on Aircraft.com compresses and clearance decreases. 0000010000 00000 n The company also makes what are called Speed Stacks, specially shaped exhaust stacks that are claimed to improve speed and reduce exhaust deposits on the aircraft. 0000008972 00000 n I was scared off by the low production number, the low number still flying, and the possibility of having the airplane grounded for long periods or even permanently. 0000094113 00000 n The SAS is essentially an addition to the flight controls that is supposed to overcome the poor static stability of the original airplane. The continual struggles to remain afloat at Piper can be attributed to When I am not working, eating or sleeping, you can find me there. The available power of 620 SHP is too much for the configuration of the Cheyenne with loading toward the aft range. (More on this later.) 0000005105 00000 n The imposing view is not just eye candy, eitherthis airplane has the performance to back it up. Cheyenne 400LS for sale - Omni Jet All provide enough options to permit loading (or off-loading, as the case may be) to keep weight and balance within the limits. This equates to six adults and 250 pounds of luggage. I do know that when Piper modified the Malibu to make the Meridian, there were substantial changes. Cheyenne 400LS' high-stepping ways. Mike and Bill are known advisors, and they arent selling me anything, so I feel at home with their advice. Parts availability for older Cheyennes hasnt been a problem. 0000147953 00000 n A mock-up is. This presents no problem, but I can see how an inexperienced pilot could find himself a trifle overwhelmed by either the extra speed or the oscillations. Physical dimensions are the same as the PA-31T except that the basic airplane wingspan is two feet shorter (40 feet, 8 inches versus 42 feet, 8 inches) because in standard form it does not have tip tanks (although most purchasers opted for them). Also With This Article Click here to view charts for Resale Values, Payload Compared and Prices Compared. A properly trained pilot will find it to be a very satisfactory airplane, except for the combustion heater problem. Dick Karl is a cancer surgeon who appreciates the beauty and science involved in both surgery and flying.