Piper PA-32 Cherokee Six explained

The Piper PA-32 Cherokee Six is a series of single-engine, fixed landing gear, light aircraft manufactured in the United States by Piper Aircraft between 1965 and 2007.[1] [2]

The PA-32 is used around the world for private transportation, air taxi services, bush support, and medevac flights.

Development

The PA-32 series was developed to meet a requirement for a larger aircraft than the four-seat Piper PA-28 Cherokee.[3] The first prototype PA-32 made its initial flight on December 6, 1963, with the type being publicly announced in October 1964, with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) type certification following on March 4, 1965. The first production aircraft was the PA32-260 Cherokee Six, a significantly modified six-seat (or seven-seat) development of the PA-28 Cherokee.[1] [2]

The Cherokee Six and its successors feature a baggage compartment in the nose between the cockpit and the engine compartment and a large double door in the back for easy loading of passengers and cargo.[1] [2]

PA-32-300

On 27 May 1966, Piper obtained FAA type certification for a 300hp version, designated as the PA-32-300.[4] It was offered by the company as a 1967 model.

PA-32R

See main article: Piper PA-32R. The 1975 addition of retractable landing gear resulted in the first of the PA-32R series, the Piper Lance. This was the earliest aircraft in the Piper Saratoga family, Piper's luxury, high-performance single line.[1] [2]

Piper's transition to tapered wings for the Cherokee series resulted in a new wing for the PA-32 series, as well. The tapered-wing version of the Cherokee Six was named the Saratoga and debuted in 1980.

Piper 6X

After the General Aviation Revitalization Act of 1994, production of the retractable-gear Saratoga resumed in 1995. A fixed-gear PA-32 was reintroduced in 2003 as the Piper 6X and the turbocharged 6XT. Sales of the 6X and 6XT models did not meet expectations and production ceased in late 2007.

PA-34 prototype

Piper built a prototype PA-32-260 with IO-360 engines mounted on the wings. The trimotor aircraft was the proof-of-concept aircraft for the twin-engined, retractable-gear version of the Cherokee Six, the PA-34 Seneca.[5]

Variants

PA-32-250 Cherokee Six
  • Prototype with 250hp Lycoming O-540 engine, two built
    Production variant with a 260hp Lycoming O-540-E4B5 engine
  • PA-32-260 Cherokee Six B
  • 1969 model with increased cabin space
    PA-32-260 Cherokee Six C
  • 1970 model with minor changes
    PA-32-260 Cherokee Six D
  • 1971 model with minor changes
    PA-32-260 Cherokee Six E
  • 1972 model with interior and instrument panel changes (note model letters not used after 1972)
    PA-32-300 Cherokee Six
  • Variant with a 300hp Lycoming IO-540-K1A5 engine, named the Piper Six 300 after 1979
    PA-32-300 Cherokee Six B
  • 1969 model with instrument panel changes, engine changed to IO-540-K1G5
    PA-32-300 Cherokee Six C
  • 1970 model
    PA-32-300 Cherokee Six D
  • 1971 model
    PA-32-300 Cherokee Six E
  • 1972 model (note model letters not used after 1972)
    PA-32-300LD
  • Experimental low-drag variant for increased fuel efficiency, one built
    PA-32S-300
  • Factory built on floats, only a small number were made.
    Variant from 1980 with a 300hp Lycoming IO-540-K1G5 engine
  • PA-32-301T Turbo Saratoga
  • Saratoga with a turbocharged Lycoming TIO-540-S1AD engine and revised cowling
    PA-32-3M
  • PA-32 prototype modified as a three-engined aircraft with two 115-hp Lycoming O-235 engines fitted to the wings, for development of the PA-34 Seneca
    Embraer EMB-720C Minuano
  • Brazilian license-built version of PA-32-300 Cherokee Six.[6]
    Embraer EMB-720D Minuano
  • Brazilian license-built version of PA-32-301 Saratoga Fixed Gear version. Production by Embraer and its subsidiary Indústria Aeronáutica Neiva.[7]
    Embraer EMB-721C Sertanejo
  • Brazilian license-built version of PA-32R-301 Lance.[6]
    Embraer EMB-721D Sertanejo
  • Brazilian license-built version of PA-32R-301 Saratoga Retractable Gear version. Production by Embraer and its subsidiary Neiva.[7]

    References

    Bibliography

    External links

    Notes and References

    1. Plane and Pilot: 1978 Aircraft Directory, page 63. Werner & Werner Corp, Santa Monica CA, 1977.
    2. Montgomery, MR & Gerald Foster: A Field Guide to Airplanes, Second Edition, page 32. Houghton Mifflin Company, 1992.
    3. Web site: McDowell . Mark . The Practical Endurance of the Piper Cherokee Six . . November 24, 2021 . January 28, 2022.
    4. Web site: Type Certificate Data Sheet No. A3SO. 2009-09-12. Federal Aviation Administration. Federal Aviation Administration. June 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20170131022146/http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/175d1136cb8a68b6862572f700681ff3/$FILE/A3SO.pdf. 2017-01-31. dead.
    5. Montgomery, MR & Gerald Foster: A Field Guide to Airplanes, Second Edition, p.96. Houghton Mifflin Company, 1992.
    6. Book: Taylor . John W. R. . John W. R. Taylor . Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1980–81 . 1980 . London . Jane's Publishing Company . 0-7106-0705-9 . 17–18.
    7. Book: Taylor . John W. R. . John W. R. Taylor . Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1982–83 . 1982 . London . Jane's Yearbooks . 0-7106-0748-2 . 18–19.

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