PA31 vs. P31T

[Headwind]

I flew the II for about 4 years and also the II XL. The II XL is on the Chieftian body and has more room than the II.

The II will climb @ about 3500 fpm to about 16,000. At 23,000 do about 250 KTSA and burn the same amount of fuel the King Air 200 burns @ FL 290. It has a kerosene heater and SAS system.
The IIXL has bleed air heat, no SAS, more room, and with -135 engines, more power in the mid 30's
HEADWIND

 

[EagleRJ]

Did you fly it with WMI? I just got to ferry 234K back from asia

Yes, I flew 234K- but no exotic locales for me- I flew it in Okie-La-Homa. What project were you on in Asia? And what route did you use on the way back- the Atlantic route? I think the Pacific route has some long legs.

 

[Headwind]

The above post should have said mid 20's not mid 30's.

HEADWIND

 

[414Flyer]

I don't know about EagleRJ but I sure have a few hours in 234K. Sounds like you might have been on that India project. I take it from your Che avatar, you were also in Argentina. What's up with the boys at WxMod? Who else was down there with you?

The Che avatar with the mickey mouse ears is just to tweak the leftists who think he is some kind of patron saint.

Yeah I was in India for 5 months. What a mess. I was there with Jody, Miguel, Vadim. I dont think anyone wants to go back there again.

 

[414Flyer]

Yes, I flew 234K- but no exotic locales for me- I flew it in Okie-La-Homa. What project were you on in Asia? And what route did you use on the way back- the Atlantic route? I think the Pacific route has some long legs.

I was in India from mid june to mid november, rainfall enhancement. I flew it back the atlantic route, India - Muscat Oman - Bahrain - Al Jouf Saudi - Larnaca Cyprus- Varna Bulgaria - Poprad Slovakia - Thisted Denmark - Wick Scotland - Reyjavik Iceland - Sondrestromfjord Greenland - Iqaluit CA -Churchill CA - Fargo!

 

[Drifter]

Jody, Miguel, Vadim... That's an interesting group. Who was running the radar?

 

[414Flyer]

Bill S, Andy K, Paul B and a Russian met that I can not remember his name. Oh and then the Indian politicians and ministers who were trying to tells the mets where to send the planes.

 

[DAS at 10/250]

Thanks Headwind.

 

[Drifter]

"Indian politicians and ministers who were trying to tells the mets where to send the planes."

Haha. Boy nothing ever changes!!!

 

[sidewinder]

Hey DAS, I worked on all cheyennes. Every pilot/owner I met really liked the airplane. I however didn't really enjoy working on it.

 

[Lead Sled]

I've got several hundred hours in the Cheyenne II and nearly a thousand or so in the III. In spite of all it's quirks, I actually liked the II. However, it is the classic example of a company doing the absolute bare minimum to convert a piston airframe to turbine power. In many ways, it was simply cobbed together - the SAS system, electric engine inlets, and the infamous cabin heater were all systems that reflect a rush to get it on the market. Oops, I forgot about the oil drums that they had to put on each wing tip to give it enough range to go anywhere. For what it was, it was a good airplane.

'Sled

 

[joelo88]

IIXLs environmental was not much better. hot, cold, hot, cold. auto position don't work for nothin.

 

[DAS at 10/250]

Doing a little more digging and I keep hearing of problems with the SAS system on the II. What I am being told is that the SAS is prone to failure and that it is a go/no-go item.

Also, some talk from Piper shops about the lack of factory support for the Cheyenne series and hearing of planes sitting on jacks for some time (3 months +) waiting for parts.

Thoughts?

 

[Drifter]

You are absolutely right (on both things). SAS is a headache. As for parts... Your best bet is to find a wrecked one and part it out. But all things being equal, if I had the money, I would buy a II. That airplane is a performer. Good luck!

 

[Tinstaafl]

I've heard good things about Cessna's Conquests. How does a Conquest compare to the Cheyenne?