Piper PA-34 Seneca
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| Piper PA-34 Seneca | |
|---|---|
 Piper PA34 Seneca II (G-ELIS) |
|
| Type | Utility aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Piper Aircraft |
| Maiden flight | 23 September 1971 |
| Status | In production |
| Primary user | United States |
| Variants | Seneca V PZL M-20 Mewa |
The Piper PA-34 Seneca is a light aircraft, often used for personal transport. It is a twin-engine version of the PA-32 Cherokee Lance series.
[edit] Model History
Since its introduction in 1971 as the PA-34-200 Seneca I, the aircraft has undergone many changes. In 1975, responding to complaints about the aircraft's handling qualities, Piper introduced the PA-34-200T Seneca II. The new model incorporated changes to the aircraft's control surfaces, including enlarged and balanced ailerons, the addition of a rudder anti-servo tab, and a stabilator bobweight. The "T" in the new model designation reflects an upgrade to turbocharged, six cylinder TSIO-360 Continental engines for improved performance. Overall, the changes were effective, but the aircraft was still considered to feel somewhat heavy in flight. It was, however, comfortable, roomy, and responsive, if slower than some other twins, such as the Cessna 310 and the Beechcraft Baron. It required special care on landing, owing to high-lift wings and powerful stabilator, as well as a short undercarriage.
Another of its major competitive aircraft was the Cessna 337 centerline thrust aircraft.
In 1981, the PA-34-220T Seneca III was introduced. The change in model designation reflects an engine upgrade. This time, a different variant of the Continental engines were used with 220 horsepower (165 kW), although only rated as such for five minutes and then dropping to 200 hp (150 kW). The horsepower increase, combined with the new engines' rev limit of 2800rpm (up from 2575rpm), combined for much improved climb and cruise performance. The new aircraft also incorporated a one piece windshield, larger, electrically actuated flaps and a less flimsy instrument panel made of metal.
After the major upgrades of the Seneca II and III, model revisions were less drastic. In 1994, the "New" Piper company introduced the Seneca IV. This aircraft was much the same as the Seneca III but offered a streamlined engine cowl for increased cruise performance. Finally, in 1998 the Seneca V was released. Again the cowls were redesigned for increased performance, several cockpit switches were relocated from the panel to the headliner and a slightly different engine variant was used, but this aircraft is very similar to the III and IV models.
[edit] Military operators
[edit] Specifications (PA-34-200 Seneca)
General characteristics
- Crew: One, pilot
- Capacity: Five passengers
- Length: 28 ft 6 in (8.69 m)
- Wingspan: 38 ft 11 in (11.85 m)
- Height: 9 ft 11 in (3.02 m)
- Wing area: 207 ft² (19.4 m²)
- Empty weight: 2,625 lb (1,190 kg)
- Useful load: 1,575 lb (715 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 4,200 lb (1,905 kg)
- Powerplant: 2× Lycoming IO-360-C1E6 4-cylinder, air-cooled, horizontally-opposed piston engine, 200 hp (150 kW) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 170 knots (196 mph, 314 km/h)
- Range: 982 nm (1,136 miles, 1,818 km)
- Service ceiling 19,400 ft (5,914 m)
- Rate of climb: 1,360 ft/min (415 m/min)
[edit] Specifications (PA-34-200T Seneca II)
General characteristics
- Crew: One, pilot
- Capacity: Five passengers
- Length: 28 ft 5 in ()
- Wingspan: 38 ft 9 in ()
- Height: 9 ft 9 in ()
- Airfoil: 208.7 ft²
- Empty weight: 2,788 lb ()
- Useful load: 1,782 lb ()
- Max takeoff weight: 4,570 lb ()
- Powerplant: 2× Continental L/TSIO-360-E 6-cylinder, air-cooled, horizontally-opposed piston engine, Rated Horsepower - 200 hp (sea level) / 215 hp (12,000 ft)
Engine: 1400 TBO Overhaul cost: approx. $30,000 per engine (2007) () each
- Operating cost: approx. $250 per hour (At 100LL fuel - 5$ gallon)
Performance
- Never exceed speed: 224 mph - Calibrated Airspeed
- Maximum speed: 225 mph 12,000 ft
- Cruise speed: 208 mph
- Stall speed: Vso 69 mph ()
- Range: 900 nm ()
- Service ceiling 25,000 ft, single engine - 13,400 ft ()
- Rate of climb: Sea Level 1,340 ft/min & single engine 225 ft/min ()
[edit] External links
[edit] See also
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