Photograph:
Piper PA-31P-350 Mojave VH-OGW (c/n 31P-8414044) at Bankstown, NSW in December 2012 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Twin-engine light pressurised executive transport
Power Plant:
Two 261 kw (350 hp) Avco Lycoming LTIO-540-V2AD six-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engines
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 13.56 m (44 ft 6 in)
- Length: 10.51 m (34 ft 6 in)
- Height: 3.96 m (13 ft)
- Wing area: 22.02 m² (237 sq ft)
- Max speed: 448 km/h (278 mph)
- Cruising speed at 75% power: 433 km/h (269 mph)
- Cruising speed at 65% power: 407 km/h (253 mph)
- Cruising speed at 55% power: 372 km/h (231 mph)
- Initial rate of climb: 454 m/min (1,490 ft/min)
- Service ceiling: 9,265 m (32,400 ft)
- Range at 75% power: 2,324 km (1,444 miles)
- Range at 65% power: 2,408 km (1,496 miles)
- Empty weight: 2,155 kg (4,729 lb)
- Loaded weight: 3,266 kg (7,200 lb)
History:
The Mojave was designed by Piper to carry a crew of two with dual controls, and five passengers in the main cabin. First introduced into the range in 1983, it received certification and entered production during that year. The type was a derivative of the Cheyenne I, with a lightened pressure vessel but with a wing generally similar to that fitted to the Navajo. The pressurisation installed permitted a cabin altitude of 2,775 m (9,100 ft) up to an altitude of 7,620 m (25,000 ft), the normal operating altitude. Baggage capacity in the nose, the rear of the cabin, and the engine nacelles permitted a maximum of 390 kg (860 lb) to be carried. Some 50 examples of the PA-31P-350 were built.
Entry to the aircraft was via an airstair, and a 114 cm (45 in) by 117 cm (46 in) cargo door was also fitted. Baggage space comprised an area of 1.26 m³ (44.5 cub ft) in the rear of the cabin, and a 0.25 m³ (9 cub ft) locker in each nacelle, allowing up to 308 kg (680 lb) of baggage. Power plant was the turbocharged Avco Lycoming TIO-540-V2AD, which was designed to operate at high altitude fitted with intercoolers to reduce the temperature of the compressed heated air fed to the combustion chambers, driving Hartzell counter-rotating propellers. Fuel capacity was 900 litres (198 Imp gals). Accommodation was provided for a crew of two with dual controls, and five individual seats in the main cabin arranged as two facing pairs with a central aisle and one inward facing seat at the rear.
The first of the type to be seen in Australia was a demonstrator for Hawker Pacific (N9233Y). A number have been registered in this region. Early in 1985 the Royal Flying Doctor Service (WA Section) ordered a Mojave, this becoming VH-HFD (c/n 31P-8414044), later going to Airlines of Tasmania. At some stage this aircraft became VH-OGW and was operated for a period from Bankstown, NSW on patient transfer flights. Later the RFDS took delivery of PA-31P-350 VH-JUL (c/n 31P-8414006), being registered to Godfrey Office Equipment of Glynde, SA. Another P-31P-350/A2 became VH-IGW (c/n 31P-8414019) with Avtex. First of the type in New Zealand was PA-31P-350 ZK-WTH (c/n 31P-8414003) for Air Wantanui which was used for charter, air-taxi and air ambulance work throughout the country.