Piper PA-32R Lance
Piper · United States · first flew 1974 · light aircraft
The Piper PA-32R Lance is the retractable-undercarriage development of the Cherokee Six, adding performance to the PA-32's generous six-seat cabin and large rear cargo door.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Six-seat retractable-gear single with the same fuselage and large rear cargo door as the Cherokee Six |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Six-seat retractable-gear single with the same fuselage and large rear cargo door as the Cherokee Six
- Lycoming IO-540 engine providing 300 hp — capable of seating six adults with reasonable range
- Retractable tricycle gear adds performance over the fixed-gear Cherokee Six on the same airframe
The large aft cargo door shared with the Cherokee Six is the key field mark; the retractable gear distinguishes it from the fixed-gear PA-32 Cherokee Six. The Lance II variant's T-tail is unmistakable.
Specifications
- The Piper PA-32R Lance has a length of 8.44 m (28 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 9.14 m (30 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 311 km/h (193 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
Introduced in 1976, the Lance used a revised version of the Cherokee Six airframe with retractable gear and the Lycoming IO-540. A T-tailed variant, the Lance II, was offered from 1978 before reverting to a conventional tail. The Lance family evolved into the Saratoga.
Variants
PA-32R-300 Lance, PA-32R-300 Lance II (T-tail), PA-32RT-300 Turbo Lance II; these led directly to the PA-32R-301 Saratoga.
Where you'll see it
Widely used as a personal transport and charter aircraft in North America; the type is found at GA airfields in Europe and Australia.
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