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1976 Piper PA-32R-300 Lance offers six-seat capacity and performance upgrades
This 1976 Piper Lance features a spacious six-seat cabin, aerodynamic enhancements, and a well-maintained airframe with modern avionics, blending utility with speed for personal and business travel.
The gist
A 1976 Piper PA-32R-300 Lance combines roomy six-seat comfort with upgraded performance and avionics, ideal for versatile personal use.
Continuing coverage
All Avionics Upgrade →The Piper PA-32R-300 Lance, a 1976 model, is highlighted as a noteworthy aircraft for sale due to its combination of spacious seating, load capacity, and upgraded performance features. This retractable-gear derivative of the Cherokee Six family offers a blend of utility and speed rare among six-place personal aircraft, with the capacity to carry families or colleagues comfortably over longer distances.
Originating from Piper's well-known practice of evolving existing airframes rather than designing new ones from scratch, the PA-32 series extends the popular PA-28 Cherokee into a larger, more capable transport. The Cherokee Six, introduced as a more spacious alternative in the lineup, became popular as one of the few economical six-seat single-engine airplanes available during its era. Further modifying it to include retractable landing gear and other refinements created the Lance variant, which elevated its performance to broader appeal within the personal and business aviation markets.
The Lance's interior cabin provides generous space for six occupants, designed for comfort during extended flights. This wide cabin design ensures passengers can avoid the cramped conditions often associated with comparable aircraft, making it suitable for family vacations or business trips to destinations lacking commercial airline access. The aircraft balances the utility of a 'flying station wagon' with enhancements that improve its cross-country capability.
This particular 1976 Lance has accumulated 4,417 hours on the airframe and houses a Lycoming IO-540K1G5D engine with 512 hours since its most recent major overhaul, plus a top overhaul completed 240 hours ago. The aircraft is equipped with a Hartzell Scimitar propeller that has 250 hours since new, reflecting ongoing attention to maintenance and performance. Additionally, it features aerodynamic improvements designed by LoPresti, known for refining speed and efficiency in various Piper models.
With a maximum gross weight of 3,600 pounds and a useful load just over 1,500 pounds, the Lance can carry significant payloads over respectable distances. Its fuel capacity of 98 gallons supports longer flights without frequent refueling stops. The combination of these factors makes it a capable heavy hauler for both passengers and gear, suitable for diverse mission profiles.
Technological upgrades in the cockpit include a Garmin GNS 430W GPS/nav/com system, King KX170B nav/com, AutoControl IIIB autopilot, Garmin 495, GTX 345 transponder, KMA 20 TSO audio panel, FS 1000II intercom, Narco DME, and a JPI EDM 700 engine monitor. These avionics modernizations enhance situational awareness, navigational capability, and engine management, contributing to safer and more enjoyable flight operations.
The aircraft also received a new paint job and interior refurbishment in 1998, reflecting investment in both aesthetics and cabin comfort. The blend of updated avionics, aerodynamic enhancements, and traditional Piper reliability make this Lance an attractive option for pilots seeking an aircraft that combines vintage appeal with practical modern capabilities.
This model represents the evolution of Piper's mid-size single-line offerings, positioned between smaller trainers and larger twin-engine aircraft. Its role as a high-performance personal transport is underscored by its aerodynamic modifications and spacious cabin, appealing to those valuing both space and speed in a single-engine aircraft configuration.
Frequently asked questions
- What engine powers the 1976 Piper PA-32R-300 Lance and what is its condition?
- This 1976 Piper Lance is powered by a Lycoming IO-540K1G5D engine with 512 hours since overhaul and a top overhaul completed 240 hours ago.
- What avionics upgrades does this Piper Lance feature?
- The aircraft's panel includes modern avionics such as a Garmin GNS 430W GPS/nav/com, King KX170B nav/com, AutoControl IIIB autopilot, Garmin 495, GTX 345 transponder, and a JPI EDM 700 engine monitor.
- How much useful load and fuel capacity does the Piper Lance have?
- The Piper Lance offers a useful load of 1,508 pounds and a fuel capacity of 98 gallons, supporting significant payload and range for cross-country flights.
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