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Piper Seminole

The Piper Archer is a low-wing, single-engine aircraft, that is safe, strong and great for training. At AeroGuard, you’ll utilize both G1000 and six-pack Archers, allowing you to familiarize with both types of instrumentation and navigation systems to hone your knowledge.

You’ll also fly the low-wing Piper Seminole throughout your multi-engine training. The Piper Seminole is the Piper Archer’s “big brother”: a more complex, twin-engine version of the single-engine aircraft. The similarities between the aircraft allows for a smooth transition from the basic single engine to the more complex multi-engine, known for its ability to perform laborious maneuvers safely.

The PA-44

The Seminole is a twin-engine light aircraft, developed from the Piper Cherokee. The term, “twin-engine”, means it has two identical engines, one on each wing. Its light aircraft designation means it has a max gross takeoff weight of 12,500 lb. or under.

The production of Piper Seminoles started in earnest in 1979, equipped with twin 180 hp Lycoming O-360-E1A6D. The right-hand engine, however, is a variant, turning in the opposite direction as the other engine. This means that, should an engine shut down or fail, the aircraft is much more controllable.

As the plane continued being manufactured from ’79 – ’82, ’89 – ’90 and since ’95, Piper has continuously honed the craft, improving the engines, the construction and introducing several variants, including the PA-44-180, PA-44-180T, and PA-44 Seminole DX.

PA-44-180

Driven by two O-360-E1A6D or two O-360-A1H6 engines, this is the standard by which all Seminoles are judged.

PA-44-180T

The “T” stands for turbocharged in this updated Seminole. The increased engine efficiency of the two Lycoming engines make for a significantly improved performance at high density altitudes. The takeoff gross weight is raised up about 125 lbs.

PA-44 Seminole DX

This deluxe Seminole was announced last spring in Germany. The proposed update would see the Seminole equipped with twin diesel engines from Continental Motors.

The Specs

We’re looking at the PA-44-180 standard Seminole for these.

General Characteristics

  • Crew – One Pilot
  • Capacity – Three Passengers
  • Length – 27 ft 7 ¼ in, or 8.414 m
  • Wingspan – 38 ft 7 ¼ in, or 11.767 m
  • Height – 8 ft 6 in, or 2.59 m
  • Wing Area – 183.8 ft² or 17.08 m²
  • Standard Equipped Weight – 2,354 lbs., or 1068 kg
  • Maximum Takeoff Weight – 3,800 lbs., or 1724 kg
  • Engine – 2x Lycoming O-360-A1HA6 air-cooled flat four – counter rotating, 180 hp, each driving a 74-inch two-blade, constant speed propeller

Performance

  • Cruising Speed – 162 knots, 300 km/h
  • Takeoff Distance – 2,200 ft, or 671 m
  • Range – 700 nm, or 1,296 ft, or 671 m
  • Fuel Capacity – 108 US gal or 409 L
  • Extended range (with long-range tanks) – 795 mi, or 1,280 km
  • Service Ceiling – 15,000 ft or 4,572 m

Who Else Flies the Seminole?

In addition to being one of the finest aircraft for flight schools and cadets to learn with, the Piper Seminole is also a popular craft of choice for air charter companies and is used by thousands of private individuals’ companies. It also pops up in service for the Royal Jordanian Air Force!

Ready to see what a Piper Seminole is like for yourself, and take your career to the next level? Call or contact AeroGuard Flight Training Center today and see how our accelerated flight program can take you from runway to airline in as little as two years! You’ll get to fly Seminoles, Archers and Cessna along the journey!

Begin Your Career Today!