Piper Lance
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: yankton, sd
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fredhollaway has a fine understanding of the T tail turbo lance.
AS long as you respect it, and don't think of it as anything else , it will do fine.
But you have to be an above average pilot, with the kind of knowledge that indicates you are not just jumping into a plane of the average variety.
I have flown the T tail Turbo lance out of a 2500' strip and it worked as advertised.
I have flown the T tail NON turbo lance out of the same strip and it worked as advertised.
I have flown bank checks in the original low tail lance
I have flown bank checks in the cherokee six.
I have flown brand new Piper Saratoga SP.
They all feel a little different. Look at it this way. IF you are willing to change your personal flying to a higher level of proficiency, you can save a great deal of money by getting the T Tail Turbo Lance.
IF you want the same sort of performance and something slightly, repeat slightly easier to fly, buy a Saratoga SP. (looks like a low tail lance with tapered wing).
There are planes out there that demand a little bit more of the pilot. Fred understands and was up to the demands.
It will teach you how to be a better pilot, but take a good long time and get a good instructor to help you learn the plane.
Oh, and that 2500' strip, well I used the short field book procedures and used two notches of flaps (25 degrees)
AS long as you respect it, and don't think of it as anything else , it will do fine.
But you have to be an above average pilot, with the kind of knowledge that indicates you are not just jumping into a plane of the average variety.
I have flown the T tail Turbo lance out of a 2500' strip and it worked as advertised.
I have flown the T tail NON turbo lance out of the same strip and it worked as advertised.
I have flown bank checks in the original low tail lance
I have flown bank checks in the cherokee six.
I have flown brand new Piper Saratoga SP.
They all feel a little different. Look at it this way. IF you are willing to change your personal flying to a higher level of proficiency, you can save a great deal of money by getting the T Tail Turbo Lance.
IF you want the same sort of performance and something slightly, repeat slightly easier to fly, buy a Saratoga SP. (looks like a low tail lance with tapered wing).
There are planes out there that demand a little bit more of the pilot. Fred understands and was up to the demands.
It will teach you how to be a better pilot, but take a good long time and get a good instructor to help you learn the plane.
Oh, and that 2500' strip, well I used the short field book procedures and used two notches of flaps (25 degrees)
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: UK,Twighlight Zone
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2500ft is not exactly a strip. By UK standards its an international airport..... 
At work I operate a 5t twin turboprop out of 1600ft.....
I have operated the Lance out of the same strip many times. Shame it got written off by someone flying it over loaded and cartwheeling through a hedge.....
At work I operate a 5t twin turboprop out of 1600ft.....
I have operated the Lance out of the same strip many times. Shame it got written off by someone flying it over loaded and cartwheeling through a hedge.....
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Gone
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Yep, same Bose. I had my Turbo Lance II in and out of 500 metres quite comfortable. You just have to keep an ever so watchful eye with airspeed as you do in all the T tail variants, as elevator authority diminishes quicker than the conventional tail. A wonderful aircraft built for the experienced pilot.
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Delray Beach, fl
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I know this is a late response to the original question , but I thought I would give my opinion because I enjoyed my PA 32 Piper Lance for 21 years. It is a high performance, complex plane with a turbocharger. As far as loading is concerned the Lance flies with 6 passengers and has plenty of room. Check your weight and balance of course. Since it holds 94 gallons in fuel you have great range, my flying area is only Florida so I always land with plenty of fuel in reserve. With a front and rear luggage compartment there is plenty of space for what ever you want to carry.
The flying characteristics are predictable and consistent. I use very little pressure on take off and landings because I keep the plane in trim (most of the time). Some say that the T tail is difficult to work with on landing but I have never experienced unusual problems in any phase of flight.
I could go on, but I am suffering from separation anxiety because I sold my Lance Two month ago. I have tried other planes but nothing is as good as my Lance so I am now in the market for another Lance.
The flying characteristics are predictable and consistent. I use very little pressure on take off and landings because I keep the plane in trim (most of the time). Some say that the T tail is difficult to work with on landing but I have never experienced unusual problems in any phase of flight.
I could go on, but I am suffering from separation anxiety because I sold my Lance Two month ago. I have tried other planes but nothing is as good as my Lance so I am now in the market for another Lance.
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Tennessee
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PA32RT-300T
I have 2500 hours in my 1978 Turbo Lance II. The turbo Plus intercooler, Cowling and wing tips from LoPresti were well spent money. They improve take off performance, landing performance and high altitude handling. As for take off, the plane requires judicious firm and intentional yoke inputs for take off at 80Kts. Not for the ham fisted pilot. Also true for throttle at altitudes below 10K' due to the turbo wast gate. It is approved for 36"MAP for 5 minutes, but don't push it as over-boosting comes at a high price. Carry a little power into the flare to keep pitch level from over flaring and it is a piece of cake to land.
