The Piper Seminole is largest airplane used primarily as a trainer in current production by New Piper. The PA-44 Seminole is a twin-engine airplane. A pair of 180 horsepower Lycoming engines power the airplane. The other two training airplanes currently manufactured by Piper; the PA-28 Warrior III and the PA-28 Arrow are single engine airplanes.
Unlike other planes in the Piper stable such as the PA-28, either of the PA-32 Saratoga variants (Saratoga II HP and Saratoga II TC), or even the PA-46 Malibu, the Seminole utilizes a T-tail. The T-tail is designed to increase pilot control of the airplane, as well as reduce vibration and cabin noise of the airplane. The plane utilizes a retractable tricycle landing gear, which also helps with the reduction of vibration, as well as an improvement in gas consumption. Another variant of the airplane is the PA-44-180-T (turbo)
The plane has a wing span of over 38 feet and a length of 27 feet.. It seats four people. With a wing area of over 180 feet, the airplane is able to hold 180 gallons of fuel.
Initially announced in 1978, the Seminole has had an on again, off again history. Production stopped in 1981 and resumed in 1988. Manufacturing stopped again in 1990 and resumed (for the third time) in 1995 when the company reorganized as New Piper Aircraft. In 1995 New Piper came out with it's first new design, the PA-46 Meridian. With 500 horsepower, the plane is considered a high performance turboprop. When production of the PA-44 resumed in 1995, it was not as a new design, although there were some improvements in the airplane.
Special Message to Parts Distributors
Don't miss important sales while waiting for your inventory to be integrated into a parts data base. Aerolocator.com lets you upload your inventory instantly. Click Here to join Aerolocator.com today!
|