Piper PA-34 Seneca

United States of America

Six place light twin

The most successful six place light twin since its introduction, the Seneca is a twin engine development of the Cherokee Six. Seneca development began when Piper flew a converted trimotor Cherokee Six, designated PA-32-3M, fitted with two additional 85kW (115hp) Lycomings O-235 on either wing. The subsequent twin engine prototype PA-34-180 Twin 6 first flew with two 135kW (180hp) Lycomings, while the definitive standard third Seneca prototype, the PA-34-200 Twin 6, first flew in October 1969 with fuel injected 150kW (200hp) IO-360s. Production deliveries of the initial PA-34-200 Seneca began in late 1971. Handling and performance criticisms were addressed from the 1974 model year with the PA-34-200T Seneca II which introduced changes to the flight controls and, more importantly, two turbocharged Continental TSIO-360-Es. Piper originally planned that the follow-on PA-34-220T Seneca III would feature a T-tail, but these plans were dropped and the main changes introduced were counter rotating 165kW (220hp) TSIO-360s and a revised interior and instrument panel. Introduced in 1981, the Seneca III was replaced by New Piper's improved PA-34-220T Seneca IV in 1994 with aerodynamic refinements, axisymetric engine inlets and a revised interior. The current PA-34-220T Seneca V was introduced in January 1997. It features intercooled turbocharged L/TSIO-360-RB engines which maintain rated power to 19,500ft, and seating for five, with a standard entertainment/executive workstation with extendable worktable and optional phone/fax. A sixth seat in place of the workstation is optional. The Seneca was also built or assembled by other manufacturers, AICSA in Colombia, Chincul in Argentina (as the PA-A-34), Embraer in Brazil (as the EMB-810), and PZL-Mielec in Poland (as the M-20 Mewa, partly with PZL/Franklin engines). Conversions are made by Seguin as the Princess, and by Robertson as the Super Seneca I and II.

PA-34-200 Seneca - Two 150kW (200hp) Lycoming IO-360-A1A fuel injected flat fours driving two blade c/s props. PA-34-220T Seneca V - Two 165kW (220hp) Teledyne Continental L/TSIO-360-RB turbocharged, intercooled fuel injected counter rotating flat sixes driving two blade Hartzell or optional three blade McCauley c/s prop.

PA-34-200 Seneca - Max speed 314km/h (170kt), max cruising speed 300km/h (160kt), long range cruising speed 267km/h (144kt). Initial rate of climb 1360ft/min. Service ceiling 19,400ft. Max range with no reserves 1818km (982nm). PA-34-220T Seneca V - Max speed 379km/h (205kt), max cruising speed at 10,000ft 341km/h (184kt), at 18,500ft 367km/h (198kt), normal cruising speed at 10,000ft 322km/h (174kt), at 16,500ft 352km/h (190kt). Initial rate of climb 1550ft/min. Max certificated altitude 25,000ft. Range at max range power with reserves at 10,000ft 1295km (700nm), at 18,500ft 1222km (660nm).

PA-34-200 Seneca - Empty 1190kg (2623lb), max takeoff 1905kg (4200lb). PA-34-220T Seneca V - Empty equipped 1532kg (3377lb), max takeoff 2155kg (4750lb).

PA-34-200 Seneca - Wing span 11.85m (38ft 11in), length 8.69m (28ft 6in), height 3.02m (9ft 11in). Wing area 19.2m2 (206.5sq ft). PA-34-220T Seneca V - Same except length 8.72m (28ft 8in). Wing area 19.4m2 (208.7sq ft).

Seating for six in all but Seneca V which seats five or optionally six.

Approximately 4750 Senecas built by Piper (incl approx 200 Vs), plus approx 20 Seneca IIs licence built in Poland by PZL-Mielec as the M-20 Mewa, and over 870 in Brazil by Embraer as the EMB-810.

Piper PA-34 Seneca