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A 1966 model Piper PA-32-260 Cherokee Six

Take off of a 1973 model Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee Six

The Piper PA-32 Cherokee Six is a series of six or seven seat, fixed-gear, high-performance aircraft, manufactured in the United States by Piper Aircraft.

The PA-32 series began life in 1965 as the 260 horsepower PA32-260 Cherokee Six, a significantly modified six (or seven) seat development of the PA-28 Cherokee. Aside from its size, the Cherokee Six and its successors feature a baggage compartment in the nose between the cockpit and the engine compartment as well as a large double door in the back for easy loading of passengers and cargo.

In 1966, the 300 hp PA32-300 version was added, and a Seaplane version was added the following year, designated the PA32S-300.

The 1975 addition of retractable landing gear resulted in the first of the PA32R series, the Piper Lance. This was the earliest in the Piper Saratoga family, Piper's luxury high-performance single. (To avoid duplication, the PA32R airplanes will not be discussed further here.)

Eventually, Piper's transition to tapered wings for the Cherokee series bled over into the six-seat aircraft as well. The tapered-wing version of the Cherokee Six was also dubbed the Saratoga and debuted in 1980. Unfortunately, with product liability concerns and economic conditions, the general aviation industry went into decline in the early 80's and Saratoga production ceased in 1985.

After the General Aviation Revitalization Act of 1994, the industry began its upward swing again. Production of the retractable-gear Saratoga resumed in 1995. Insurance requirements still put that airplane out of reach for some people, and the popular fixed-gear PA32 returned in 2003 as the Piper 6X and the turbocharged 6XT which are both still in production.

Piper built a prototype PA32-260 with IO-360 engines on the wings, a tri-motor which was the proof-of-concept aircraft for the twin engined, retractable gear version of the Cherokee 6 which is called the Piper PA-34 Seneca.

The Cherokee Six is very commonly used for small air cargo operations.

Specifications (for a 1972 PA32-300)

Take Off Run 700 ft
Take Off over 50 ft. Obstacle 1140 ft
Best Rate Climb Speed (Vy) 105 mph
Service Ceiling 16,250 ft
Absolute Ceiling 18,000 ft
Top Speed 174 mph
Cruise Speed, 75% power (15.8 gal/h) 168 mph
Stall Speed, flaps 63 mph
Stall Speed, no flaps 70 mph
Landing Roll, flaps 630 ft
Landing Roll over 50 ft Obstacle 1000 ft
Empty Weight 1788 lb
Useful Load 1612 lb
Engine Lycoming IO-540-K1A5
Horsepower 300
Propeller Diameter 80 in
Fuel Capacity 84 US gal
Oil Capacity 12 US qt
Wing Span 32.8 ft
Wing Area 174.5 sq ft
Wing Loading 19.5 lb per sq ft
Length 27.7 ft
Height 7.9 ft

All Specification from 1972 Piper Cherokee Six 300 "E" Owner's Handbook

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1977 Piper Cherokee 6-300 Specs

Engine make/model: Lycoming IO-540K
Horsepower@rpm@altitude: 300@2700@SL
Horsepower For Takeoff: 300
TBO hours: 2000
Fuel Type: 100/100LL
Propeller type/diameter (in.): CS two-blade
Landing gear type: Tri/Fixed
Max ramp weight (lb): 3400
Gross weight (lb): 3400
Landing weight (lb): 3400
Std. empty weight (lb): 1822
Useful load - std. (lb): 1578
Payload - full std. fuel (lb): 1080
Usable fuel - std. (US gal): 84
Oil capacity (US qt): 12
Wingspan (ft.-in) 32 ft. 9 in.
Overall length (ft): 27 ft. 9 in.
Height (ft.-in): 8 ft. 3 in.
Wing area (sq ft): 174.5
Wing loading (lb/sq ft): 19.5
Power loading (lb/hp): 11.3
Wheel base: 6 ft. 10 in.
Wheel track: 10 ft. 7 in.
Wheel size: 6.00 x 6
Seating capacity: 6-7
Cabin doors: 2-3
Cabin width (in.): 49
Cabin height (in.): 49
Baggage capacity (nose) (lb): 100
Baggage capacity (rear) (lb): 100

PERFORMANCE
Cruise speed (knots):
Altitude Speed
75% power: 8000 146
65% power: 11,300 142
55% power: 14,000 134
Max range (with reserve) (nm):
75% power: 650 1045
65% power: 740 1140
55% power: 800 1245
Fuel consumption (US gal/h):
75% power: 16.0
65% power: 13.8
55% power: 11.9
Estimated endurance (65%): 4.5 h Stall speed (gear, flaps up): 61 kt Stall speed (gear, flaps down): 55 kts Best rate of climb: 1050 ft/min Best rate of climb to 8,000 ft: 680 ft/m Service ceiling: 16,250 ft Takeoff ground roll: 1050 ft Takeoff over 50 ft obstacle: 1500 ft Landing ground roll: 630 ft Landing over 50 ft obstacle: 1000 ft

Source: Plane & Pilot

• New Piper Aircraft
• PA-32 series at Airliners.net