Originally Posted by
TheOddOne
The PA32 is a most excellent aircraft if you've a need to carry more people and/or baggage. It's a bit overkill if you were looking for a 4-place aircraft. Most PA32s were made with fixed gear, for simplicity and ruggedness. Watch out for the loading. You need to do
2 weight and balance checks per flight, as the C of G can move outside limits during the flight as the fuel burns off.
My one word of warning - stay WELL AWAY from the T-tail version - it's got really horrible handling on the approach and landing. The other Piper a/c to stay well away from is the P28R Arrow VI - also with a T-tail. Other versions of Piper singles with the low tail are OK. If you want a 4-place aircraft that's a bit narrower than the PA32 but nonetheless a good tourer, you could do worse than the Dakota, with a 6-cylinder Continental, a lovely smooth engine with much less fuel consumption than a IO540.
I'd still vote for a TB20 - just don't join the 'wheels-up Wilson' club.
TOO
i don’t believe the 1998+ models had the t Tail. And it would be the Saratoga not the Cherokee 6.