A Cherokee on Floats? The story so far..
 

I'm toying with the idea of puting a Cherokee 140 on floats. I know its something thats been done but I cant find you.

Lanched in the 60's and with few ever made the PA28 on floats is a rare sight.
However..

Piper Models PA-28-160 and PA-28-180, S/N 28-508 to 28-1760, and 28-1760A may be converted to the seaplane configuration, PA-28S-160 and PA-28S-180, in accordance with Piper Drawing No. 62008.

For the conversion of the aforementioned its not necassary for a FAA STC (supplementry Type Certificate). BUT...
Is it automaticaly EASA approved? and can I do it to the 140 model?

I've contacted a float company in Seattle who still make a float set, the full plan drawing looks sweet.

I'm waiting for a response from a Piper parts company to see if they can get the 3 or so parts needed from Piper to do the conversion.

Talking to my mechanic about how easily this can be done because I wouldn't like to be confined to water opps.

I would appreciate anyones thoughts on this idea especially with regards to EASA approval for the Cherokee 140.

Thanks in advance all

Deno

Cherokee 140 on floats. Jesus!

HotPete..........

Hmmmmmm. I seem to recall that JC was supposed to be able to walk on water, but I really do have some doubt about a Cherokee 140 doing the same. :eek:

The mind boggles at the power:weight figures to get the thing airborne for a start, let alone staying there and going anywhere.

Deno............seems to me like there'sa whole lot better and much more exciting 'projects' that you should be considering rather than the mundane old 'Cherokee-140-on floats' idea.

Did you ever consider a Leyland P76 with wings? Sounds like a LOT more fun! And I'll bet it will perform a whole lot better too! :}

Maybe also the PT6 conversion to a Gogomobile..........I believe they go like the proverbial 'sh1t off a shovel'. I understand that there's never been one that's yet got airborne Deno, but don't let practicality/reality get in the way of those 'wonderful' ideas of yours ;)!

G'Day Deno,

I admire the idea and your courage -financially- but wouldn't it be a whole lot cheaper to simply buy an aircraft already fitted with the floats / wheels?

I seem to recall a beaver in Derby in 'those good ole days' being valued at around the $90K mark, (then) and a set of the floats / wheels thingies being about the same.....EXTRA!
Wasn't / isn't there, a Maule or something already equipped and available that could do the same for you?

Already certified - and a going concern would seem to be more appealing...?

Best Regards,:ok:

Griffo.............

Be kind to Deno! He can save a sh1tload on the whole project by going down the experimental route, can't he?

I still reckon the P76 is the way to go, using old 20 gallon oil drums welded together as floats. A LOT LOT cheaper than the $90K that you're suggesting!

Getting it offf the surface of the earth's another consideration though. :ooh:

Surely the 140 is way under powered for floats and that is why the STC applies to the 160 & 180HP versions.:eek:

Why not just save up for one of these!:ok:

Howard..........

YES!

Forget about the P76 on wings.................Howard's suggestion's the WINNER. Accept an exploding Havana cigar Howard! :D:D

And at a measly CDN $230K (or so) what have you got to lose Deno? It's about $50K more than your oh-so-boring PA28 conversion, and the performance of the Aerocat makes the Cherokee option look like it's standing still!

I'm only going to need to save for about the next 5,000 years to afford one, so I'm really very excited! :8

SR (single-engine) version of the Aerocat about 150+kts................same for the TR twin-engine version................VERY impressive!

Twin-engine version about $310K by the looks of things. What's another $80K...........just another 1,700 years saving so no problems!

OK , Deno so you are probably going to be fairly limited in your use of the thing in inland Oz at present (because there's nowhere that you can easily land one of these suckers due to the drought), but if you're happy tooling around the coast then you are going to be one VERY cool dude in a really cool airframe!

Erm, you want to be able to taxy on land as well as the water? Does this 140 still have the 140 up front?

I don't actually have any specific evidence to use to p1ss on your dream, so best of luck with it.

140 on floats
 

A bit faster than the standard tinnie perhaps, but I doubt it will fly!

Wait until you try docking it. Lots of dinged leading edges, and not having doors on both sides of the cabin will not make it any easier, let alone when you are trying to sail it into a dock.

Can't wait to see this on You Tube.

Buy One Already Available
 

There's a Pa 28 180 on floats for sale in Sydney. I flew it way back in the mid 80's. Doesn't go too badly. The low wind can get in the way when docking and pumping floats. I don't think a 140 would even get off the water. BR

Of the 172's you see on floats most are the hawk xp models, probably a good reason for that but if your gonna do it anyway then good luck to you. My advice would be keep the weight down and consider the aircraft a 2 seater you might be OK. Also try a climb prop and a STOL kit, also there is an stc for the 140 to bring it up to 160 horse's. If it's the really old pa28 (with the trim handle on the roof) you may not have the factory corrosion proofing of the later models.

See the Cherokee Pilots Association web site maybe there's some info there.
http://www.piperowner.com/

Chimbu W..............

Faster than your average tinnie...........Can't wait to see this on You Tube.

That just has to win the post of 2008 I think! Outstanding! :D:D

Sorry Deno but it really looks like the general consensus here is that your 140 on floats 'isn't going to fly'! :(

If you have a burning desire for floats and are worried about corrosion, a Jabiru would be a perfect candidate for them. Not certified, but ok as an amateur built. Have been calculating recently, around $97k for a 6 cylinder J170 fly away and about $110k for a J430 on floats if you want 3.5 seats which is more than your 140 will ever fit! Either model should cruise at around 100 knots on 25-26 litres per hour with 5 hours capacity.

Oh God no not a jaba on floats!:bored: talk about being beatin' wif da ugly stick!:E Would be better performance wise than the PA28-140 on floats but sheeeez:E
'Deno' I see you ain't come back since yr thread started, we are only kidding mate, would be happy to give you lots of moral support of a 140 on floats, trust me you would need it !:ok:


CW:)

PA28 on Floats.
 

My dear chap,
Disabuse yourself of this notion. They only just make it with the dangling Dunlops. Flew one in the early seventies thrice. That was enough.:=:=

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27698067@N04/2583525830/

From one of my old aircraft encyclopaedias. This aircraft is still on the register and is registered to an address in West Ryde but it is fixed gear now.

That's a -180, which at least gives it a fighting chance!:ok:

PA28 on Floats.
 

My dear chap,
Disabuse yourself of this notion. They only just make it with the dangling Dunlops. Flew one in the early seventies thrice. That was enough.:=:=

hey that pix doesn't look too bad, smart combination, remind me next time to do that, with a MODEL!:)
I must admit tho the old PA28 series is a rugged if not brutal airframe & capable of almost anything, inc being used as a boat!:E


CW