Question concerning the Piper Seneca

clrd4takeoff

clrd4takeoff

New Member
I was wondering if the Seneca is a decent aircraft to get the multi-commercial rating in and eventually do some instructing in. I would like to know the pros and cons of flying the Seneca as compared to the other twins. I have around 55 hours in the Dutchess. I would appreciate any info you can share!!

Respectfully,

clrd4takeoff
grin.gif
 
The pros: Counter-rotating prop (hence, no critical engine), relatively easy to fly, not as expensive as some twins, easy to land (at least I thought so).

The cons: I remember a while back there was an AD on the gear; there were quite a few incidents of it collapsing on landing. Aside from that, I think it's a good training aircraft and I enjoyed flying it.

Hope this helped!
 
[ QUOTE ]

The cons: I remember a while back there was an AD on the gear; there were quite a few incidents of it collapsing on landing. Aside from that, I think it's a good training aircraft and I enjoyed flying it.


[/ QUOTE ]

Ahh yes, the wonderful piper "trunions".

I had just landed a Seneca I, taxied in and de-briefed my student. About 20 minutes later, that same Seneca I declared an emergency because apparently the gear disjointed itself from one of the trunions and the gear was lodged against the gear door.

Or something like that.

Needless to say, hilarity ensued afterwards after well... shoot, it's a long story and I don't have the time to go into it.
 
Ditto fender jag. Add the fact that if you want to build multi time in one, there's more seats than a Duchess, so you can carry more friends to foot the bill. For the record, I'm currently working on my CMEL in a Seneca. I nearly cried the day I found 76RM in a heap on the ramp. Damn you Hurricane Charley!
 
I learned to fly twins in the Seneca. Flies like a dump truck and lands very "flat". It takes some arm strength or a fast hand on the trim wheel to get a good landing. It flies like it's heavier than it really is, which might be a good training quality. Another nice thing about the PA34 is that you can do a good VMC demo (loss of directional control before stall) whereas some others I've flown stall way before Vmc.

Seneca I's are cheap to operate and maintain, so that keeps rental costs down and owners happy. It's as good an airplane as any to train in, but I'd go for the Seneca I (non-turbocharged) instead of the later models if possible.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Another nice thing about the PA34 is that you can do a good VMC demo

[/ QUOTE ]

Not in FL.
frown.gif
Only on frigidly cold days can you go near Vmc before the stall horn.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I learned to fly twins in the Seneca. Flies like a dump truck and lands very "flat".

[/ QUOTE ]

Sounds like a MD-88!
 
Trunions, huh?

Doug, I take it everything turned out OK with that emergency. Things can get ugly QUICKLY with a "gear disagree" situation.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top