Piper has long been a name in the aviation industry. Popular for their line of trainers like the Piper Archer and Arrow, they’re also known for their stick and rudder throwbacks like the Piper Cub. However, single-engine, piston-powered aircraft aren’t all that Piper creates.
Entering The Turbo-Prop World
In the mid-1970s, Piper decided it wanted to create an aircraft that could carry its passengers farther, higher, and more comfortably. Behold, the introduction of the Piper Cheyenne. The Cheyenne is the product of a need from a company that wanted to firm its grasp on the general aviation market.
The Cheyenne comes in various models, arguably the Cheyenne IA being the most popular. The Cheyenne IA was produced from 1983 until 1985. The Cheyenne IA is essentially an improved Cheyenne II.
Redesigning A Classic
After its introduction in the early 1970s, the Cheyenne quickly became a mainstay within the aviation industry. As the flagship for Piper’s introduction into the turboprop universe, the Cheyenne quickly became one of the most popular aircraft in the world.
However, as every engineer knows, success always creates the need for improvements. Piper decided in the early 1980s that they wanted to improve upon the design of the Cheyenne II by creating the Cheyenne IA.
Built upon the same frame, the Cheyenne IA is a much-improved Cheyenne II. First, Piper redesigned the cowlings on the Pratt & Whitney 6As. This design allows more air to reach the engine, thus increasing the performance of the ever-reliable PT6A engines.
Conclusion
The Piper Cheyenne IA excels at what it’s used for: a general aviation turboprop capable of hauling passengers or owners in comfort. The maximum range for the Piper Cheyenne IA falls just north of 1,000 miles. The cruising speed is close to 300mph. Piper’s entrance into the turboprop world has been extremely successful thanks to the capability of its flagship turboprop, the Cheyenne.
