Country of origin:

United States of America

Description:

Business and executive turboprop aircraft

Power Plant:

Two 537 kw (720 shp) Pratt & Whitney PT6A-41 turboprops

Specifications:

History:

With a flight crew of two on a separate flight deck, and normal accommodation for six to nine passengers in the cabin, the Piper Model PA-42 Cheyenne III, introduced in 1979, became the largest aircraft of the Piper range.  Described in late 1977 as the ‘largest, fastest and most luxurious Piper ever built’, the Cheyenne III was a development of the Cheyenne II.  The prototype of the new aircraft, after some testing in 1977, was re-designed and developed further before an extensively revised production prototype was flown for the first time on 18 May 1979. Certification to FAR standard was achieved in December that year, and deliveries of production aircraft began in June 1980.

When it was first announced, the Cheyenne III differed from the earlier PA-31 Cheyenne by having its fuselage extended by 0.61 m (2 ft), and a ‘T’-tail. The wingspan was increased by the use of a wider centre-section to move the engines away from the cabin, thus increasing the track of the undercarriage, and reducing the cabin noise level. Further design modifications increased the Cheyenne III’s fuselage by an additional 1.52 m (5 ft) over the prototype. The tail height was also substantially increased, and Hartzell Q-tip propellers were used for the first time on a production aircraft.  This extra length permitted installation of another seat and, in a high density layout, up to eleven passengers, including the pilot, could be carried.  The cabin was pressurised so that at 10,060 m (33,000 ft) an equivalent of 3,050 m (10,000 ft) or 6.3 psi was maintained.  Up-rated PT6A-41 turboprops were fitted and baggage capacity was 0.88 m³ (31 cub ft) or 136 kg (300 lb) in the rear compartment, 0.46 m³ (16.25 cub ft) or 136 kg (300 lb) in the nose compartment, and 0.41 m³ (14.5 cub ft) or 136 kg (300 lb) in each of the wing lockers.

Development of the series III led to the PA-42-720 Cheyenne IIIA with PT6A-61 engines, this model providing a higher service ceiling, revised systems and internal layout.  This was followed by the PA-42-1000, which was similar to the IIIA but had 749 kw (1,000 shp) Garrett TPE331-14 turboprops driving four-blade Dowty Rotol propellers and became known initially as the Cheyenne IV, but later the Cheyenne 400LS.  Approximately 185 Cheyennes were built and the type was usually built to special order.

The Cheyenne 400LS was first announced in September 1982 and was designed to be the highest-performing turboprop available, being able to have almost jet-engined aircraft speeds but using 30% to 35% less fuel.  With a maximum payload of 929 kg (2,048 lb) it could fly a mission of more than 2,038 km (1,266 miles) with IFR reserves.  Chuck Yeager flew one from Portland, Oregon to Atlanta, Georgia in 5 hours 35 mins at altitudes up to 12,497 m (41,000 ft), a distance of 3,495 km (2,172 miles).  In 1987 Piper had discussions in New Delhi, India with a view to licence manufacture of the 400LS by Hindustan Aeronautics, the need being seen to operate the type for relief, surveillance and air-taxi work.

The first Cheyenne III delivered to Australia in October 1981 was N4099U, and subsequently a number of examples were imported, the first distributor for the type being Ansett General Aviation.  The first registered was VH-KGW (c/n 78-00002), a PA-42 Cheyenne III, which was registered to a Brisbane-based company from December 1981 to November 1983 when it was exported as N4494E.  It was followed by VH-BUW (c/n 31P-8414044)), a PA-42-720 Cheyenne III; VH-WCE (c/n 42-8001033), also a PA-42-720; VH-NMA (c/n 42-8001066), a PA-42-720 Cheyenne III registered to Australasian Jet of Essendon, VIC; and PA-42-1000 registered as VH-PFQ (c/n 42-5527015) but exported to Canada in October 2019.

One PA-42-1000 was registered in New Zealand as ZK-RUR (c/n 42-5527015) to Rural Aviation (1963) Pty Ltd of South Auckland. Another PA-42-1000 400LS became VH-BUR³ (c/n 5527019) but in November 2017 it was exported to New Zealand where it became ZK-FIS.