Inside The $500,000 Piper PA32 Saratoga Plane
0:00 - Intro
This is the Piper PA32 Saratoga, a versatile six-seater that impresses with its 300 horsepower engine that delivers a top speed of approximately 170 knots and a range of around 950 nautical miles or 1,760 kilometers. Today we’re going inside the Piper PA32 Saratoga to talk about everything you need to know about this fantastic aircraft.
0:46 - Cabin
The Piper Saratoga cabin measures approximately 10 feet or 3 meters in length, 4 feet or 1.2 meters in width, and approximately 3 feet 6 inches or 1 meter in height. The interior is roomy for its class, and taller passengers often comment on the appreciable headroom. The aircraft features four seats in the club configuration, while the cockpit has adjustable seating for two.
The seating arrangement consists of plush, leather seats with a club seating layout for the passengers in the rear.
The Piper PA32 Saratoga offers a baggage compartment accessible from the outside, at the rear of the plane, which can accommodate up to 100 lbs or 45 kg of luggage.
Large, rectangular windows allow an abundance of natural light into the cabin and provide excellent visibility for sightseeing. The Piper PA32 Saratoga comes equipped with a good climate control system.
The Saratoga's soundproofing does an adequate job. Headsets are recommended for long flights or for when you need to communicate with other passengers without raising your voice.
3:09 - Cockpit
The Piper Saratoga cockpit comfortably accommodates two crew members, and the adjustable seats and substantial legroom provide ample comfort for pilots of various statures.
The standard avionics suite is a Dual Garmin GNS 430, but many models come equipped with Garmin's G1000 NXi system. This system features high-resolution display screens that split into a Primary Flight Display and a Multi-Function Display.
The Garmin G1000 NXi avionics suite also includes synthetic vision technology, which presents a 3D depiction of terrain, obstacles, and traffic on the PFD, enhancing situational awareness. Also featured are built-in terrain and obstacle databases, as well as a Traffic Advisory System and Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Out and In capabilities.
The Saratoga's flight controls are conventional, with a yoke rather than a stick, which some pilots prefer for its familiarity and intuitive feel. Throttle, mixture, and propeller controls are centrally located.
The Piper PA32 Saratoga offers an expansive view of the environment. Its large front windshields and side windows provide excellent visibility, a significant advantage, especially during VFR conditions.
The Saratoga has its circuit breakers panel located on the lower right side of the instrument panel, allowing for easy access and monitoring. System controls, including those for fuel, electrical, and environmental systems, are intuitively laid out and labeled.
The cockpit is well-illuminated,. The instrument panel is backlit, and there are also map lights and overhead lights to cater to different lighting needs.
5:38 - Engine and Performance
Talking about performance, The Piper PA32 Saratoga is powered by a Lycoming IO-540-K1G5D engine.
In terms of performance, the Saratoga's top speed at sea level is approximately 170 knots, and its normal cruise speed ranges between 150 to 160 knots, depending on altitude and weight. The service ceiling is 15,600 feet or 4,750 meters for the HP version and 20,000 feet or 6,100 meters for the TC version.
The Saratoga is known for its solid climb performance, with a takeoff distance of around 1,200 feet or 365 meters, and a rate of climb per minute at sea level of approximately 1,100 feet or 335 meters. The aircraft has a standard fuel capacity of 78 gallons or 360 liters, providing a range of approximately 740 nautical miles or 1,370 kilometers for the HP version, and 950 nautical miles or 1,760 kilometers for the TC version (both figures are intended with a 45-minute fuel reserve). At 75% power, it burns approximately 16 gallons or 72 liters per hour and flies at a respectable cruise speed of 146 knots.
The full-fuel payload is 430 lbs or 195 kg for the HP version and 360 lbs or 163 kg for the TC version.
The landing performance is as solid as its takeoff, featuring a landing distance of about 2,600 feet or 793 meters.
9:18 - Purchase Price and Operating Cost
The base purchase price for a pre-owned Piper PA32 Saratoga is $250,000 to $500,000 before options, and while the total yearly fixed cost is roughly $15,000 to $20,000, the average hourly operating cost is estimated at $200 to $300.
9:39 - Outro
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