Cruise in the flight levels is better than 180 knots, and interior room is better than a Baron, more reminiscent of a Navajo’s cabin than a light twin’s. Horsepower is up to 220, the avionics suite is the Garmin 1000 and the level of refinement is excellent. Long range power settings could stretch that to well over 800 nm.Īs you might expect, the modern Seneca V does everything better.
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The pair of 200 hp, Continental TSIO-360 engines were turbocharged, so I never feared high-altitude airports (the airplane accepted several operations at Leadville, Colorado, elevation 9,927 feet MSL, without complaint), and the 123-gallon fuel capacity allowed easy four-hour hops plus reserve, worth 700 nm between pit stops. Most of the time, my flights were medium to long distance business travel, in one case an editorial, round robin from Los Angeles to Key West to Calgary, Canada, and back to Los Angeles. I spent three years and 700 hours with a Seneca II company airplane, and it performed every mission I could think of better than I had any right to expect. Today’s Seneca V is more of a luxurious traveling machine. The airplane has become a favorite with institutional flight schools but also occasionally sells to individuals and business flyers who enjoy the redundancy of two engines and can live with a 150-160 knot cruise. With its tall, T-tail and seemingly indestructible Lycoming O-360 engines, the PA-44 has remained in production, admittedly intermittently, for 36 years.
In the late 70s, Beech introduced the Duchess, Grumman American premiered the Cougar and Piper unveiled the Seminole.Īt the time, there was talk of a pilot shortage, and the three twin trainers were designed specifically to meet that need and provide an economical flying classroom to teach the next generation of airline pilots. Piper Seminole-PA-44: The Seminole was born at a time when several companies were offering new, four-seat, twin trainers. Here’s a look at the remaining half-dozen piston twin on the 2015/2016 market. There’s also no question that a multi-engine aircraft, properly flown following an engine failure, can save your life. There’s no question that pilots who operate over water or above mountains can benefit from the second engine.