Piper PA-32 Cherokee Six
Piper · United States · first flew 1963 · light aircraft
The Piper PA-32 Cherokee Six is a six-seat development of the Cherokee family introduced in 1965, designed to fill a gap in the market for a capable single-engine piston aircraft able to carry a full family or small cargo load.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Distinctive large double cargo door on the aft fuselage left side, enabling easy loading |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Large six-seat low-wing single with fixed tricycle undercarriage — notably spacious for a single-engine piston
- Distinctive large double cargo door on the aft fuselage left side, enabling easy loading
- Long fuselage stretched well aft of the wing compared to the shorter Cherokee four-seaters
The long, stretched fuselage with the prominent double aft door and the fixed main gear distinguish the Cherokee Six from the shorter-fuselaged PA-28 variants; the large rear door is unique among single-engine Pipers of this era.
Specifications
- The Piper PA-32 Cherokee Six has a length of 8.44 m (28 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 9 m (30 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 278 km/h (173 mph).
- Typical crew: 1 pilot + up to 5 passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The PA-32 used the Cherokee's basic wing and systems but on an extended fuselage with a large rear cargo door. The 260 hp and 300 hp Lycoming variants offered good load-carrying capability. Later versions became the Lance and Saratoga families with retractable undercarriage options, giving the basic design a production run spanning decades.
Variants
PA-32-260 Cherokee Six, PA-32-300 Cherokee Six 300; these led to the PA-32R Lance and PA-32R-301 Saratoga with retractable gear.
Where you'll see it
Popular as a charter and air taxi aircraft worldwide; the Cherokee Six and its derivatives remain common sights at general aviation airfields across North America, Europe and Australia.
Related aircraft
- Piper PA-28 Cherokee
- Piper PA-28R-200 Arrow
- Piper PA-34 Seneca
- Piper PA-24 Comanche
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- Beechcraft King Air
- Beechcraft Musketeer
- Fournier RF-4
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