Piper Seneca III

In 1981, the PA-34-220T Seneca III was introduced, having completed certification on 17 December 1980.

The change in model designation reflected an engine upgrade. Continental TSIO-360-KB engines were used which produced 220 horsepower (165 kW), although only rated as such for five minutes and then dropping to 200 hp (149 kW)).

The horsepower increase, with the new engines’ limit of 2800 rpm (up from 2575 rpm), combined for much improved climb and cruise performance. The new aircraft also incorporated a one-piece windshield and a bare metal instrument panel instead of one covered with a removable plastic fascia; some models have electrically-actuated flaps. More than 930 Seneca IIIs were built; the last 37 Seneca IIIs built had a 28-volt electrical system rather than the 14-volt system of previous aircraft.

The aircraft’s gross weight was increased to 4,750 lb (2,155 kg) for takeoff and 4,513 lb (2,047 kg) for landing. A typical Seneca III with air conditioning and deicing equipment has a useful load of 1,377 lb (625 kg)

*Information courtesy of Wikipedia.