PA34-200 vs. PA44-180

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goindownthepipes

Well-Known Member
Ok guys I have a question for y'all. I've been pretty much flying nothing but the Piper Seminole (PA44) but next week I am being standardized on the Piper Seneca (PA34). I am aware of the minor system differences but I was wondering if any of you could help me with the differences in flying characteristics between the two aircraft, pros and cons, anything I should really be aware of as I transition to the Seneca? Advice would be greatly appreciated. Just want to be one step ahead of the game and not have any surprises when I get in the plane for the first time.

Will
 
moxiepilot said:
nope, talked to another instructor today to get his take. no difference
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There might be more to it than you think. In terms of systems, they're pretty similar (gear, controls, etc.). However, lot of Senecas are turbo normalized and require a bit more attention and care in engine handling. If you've never had to worry about overboosting or matching the turbos as they spool on a go-around, you'll have a brief period of adjustment. Not hard, but not the same as a normally aspirated Seminole, either. The PA-34 is also a bit heavier on the controls during the flare, though perfectly manageable.

It's nice to turn around and see four club seats and a table in the back: feels like a 'real' plane. Enjoy!
 
The old seneca also has no unfeathering accumulator so you gotta hold the starter to get oil moving throught the govenor to unfeather, We have a seminole a senaca 1 and a turbo senecaII here at UVSC. I have about 40 in the seminole and 30 in the SenecaII but only 3 in the SenecaI. Its a bit of a heap. We are slated to get two new Diamond twinstars with glass first of Jan. Those should be fun if I can fit my 6'6" frame in one.
 
I have over 100hrs in both aircraft and yes they are similar with regard to some systems but if you're flying a turbocharged Seneca, then there are some significant differences.

In any case you'll find the seneca to be have a heavier feel w/ regard to pitch. It is very nose heavy especially in the landing. You'll think that you're going to have a nice landing and you end up hitting the nose wheel first, happens to everyone. DO NOT RELEASE BACK PRESSURE IN THE FLARE!! If you end up hitting the nose wheel, fly the plane again and re-land it. Don't just hold what you have cause it's just going to hit the nose wheel again and get into a nasty ocilation. I prefered using a lesser flap setting, using flaps 25 typically for landing, with full flaps 40 it's a dog.

Have fun
 
newty said:
Those should be fun if I can fit my 6'6" frame in one.
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Talking about the Diamond, I tried to fit myself into a DA40 the other day and I couldn't get my knees out of the way. I am about 6'4" and that pretty much killed any chance I had of flying that thing. From what I hear the cockpit is the same size on the Twinstar too. Oh yeah, and my head was brushing up against the roof too... No room for a headset either.
 
I did my commercial and MEI training in a Seneca I, and it is a fun plane to fly---very stable and simple systems. As others have noted, the plane is nose heavy in the flare. Although I typically advocate keeping one hand on the throttles throughout the flare, using both hands to set the proper pitch attitude is acceptable for this plane. Some pilots may be strong enough to do it with one, but others (like me) do not have the necessary muscle tone. Using the two-hand method, I have had no more difficulty producing smooth landings than in other Piper aircraft. In fact, some of the landings have been smoother because of the extra mass and stability.
 
In regards to the flare, I heard of people getting prop strikes using flaps 40, the props are closer to the ground than on a Seminole
 
I started in a Seneca I back in Orlando, and then Hurricane Charley decided to toss it about the ramp like a rag doll. When I came to Skymates, I had to transition to the Seminole. As far as systems, they are damn near identical except the Seneca has bigger engines, etc. The Seneca is a bit heavier on the front end than the Seminole, it has more seats, another door and maybe curtains. The T-tail on the Seminole tends to make the plane want to "hop" off the runway, and you don't get that in the Seneca. Personally, I think the Seminole is a bit easier to land since you don't need three people and a crane to hold the nose up like you do in the Seneca.

As for the two hand method of landing the Seneca, I found that a little bit of nose up trim went a long way. Use the trim to help you out, and you can probably still keep a hand on the throttles.
 
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