Piper PA 31T Cheyenne

Development

Originally, the aircraft was an upgraded version of the Pressurized Navajo equipped with two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-28 turboprop engines. Later, the aircraft was further refined and developed, including aerodynamic improvements and fuselage extensions. The PA-31T led to the development of the PA-42 Cheyenne III and IV.

Variants

PA-31T Cheyenne

Initial production version, powered by two 620-shp (462-kW) Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-28 turboprop engines.

PA-31T-1

Original designation of the PT-31T Cheyenne I. Powered by 500-shp (373-kW) Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-II turboprop engines.

PA-31T Cheyenne II

Improved version, renamed version of original powered by two 620-shp (462-kW) Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-28 turboprop engines.

PA-31T2 Cheyenne IIXL

Stretched version, powered by two 750-shp (559-kW) Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-135 turboprop engines.

Specifications

Data from Jane's all The World's Aircraft 1976–77

General characteristics

Crew: 2

Capacity: 4–6 passengers

Length: 34 ft 8 in (10.57 m)

Wingspan: 42 ft 8¼ in (13.01 m)

Height: 12 ft 9 in (3.89 m)

Wing area: 229 sq ft (21.3 m²)

Empty weight: 4,870 lb (2,209 kg)

Max. takeoff weight: 9,000 lb (4,082 kg)

Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6-28 turboprop, 620 shp (462 kW) each

Performance

Maximum speed: 326 mph (525 km/h, 283 knots) at 11,000 ft (3,360 m)

Cruise speed: 244 mph (393 km/h, 212 knots) at 25,000 ft (7,600 m)

Stall speed: 88 mph (142 km/h, 77 knots) (flaps down)

Range: 1,702 mi (2,739 km, 1,478 nmi) (econ cruise, 45 min reserves)

Service ceiling: 29,000 ft (8,840 m)

Rate of climb: 2,800 ft/min (14.2 m/s)