AH2XP Aircraft Evaluation #06 - Piper PA-28-140
- Piper PA-28-140 (Glass Panel - VFlyteAir)
- MTOW - 2,150 lbs.
- Cruise - 110 knots
- 2 hour fuel burn - 8 gph x 2 hr = 16 gal = 96 lbs.
MTOW = 2,150 lbs.
EMPTY = 1,365 lbs.
230 lbs. pilot
96 lbs. fuel (2 hours)
459 lbs. cargo
So I knew this was a bad idea. Low wing Pipers are not traditionally a great choice for bush flying. And 140HP at MTOW is an even worse idea. But if you were just flying to paved strips with a couple thousand feet - you can squeeze a nice bit of cargo into the diminutive little Warrior. And the vFltyeAir Warriors are really nice.
One thing is for certain - that owner of the house at The Heron’s Nest will be very happy when all these trials are over…the dust is everywhere!
Full throttle, two notches of flaps per the POH…and we start up the hill. Is my parking brake on? Did I let loose the tiedown straps? Is my pitot tube cover still on…because I don’t see much acceleration going on here. We…well…amble up to the top of the crest and start down the other side. This isn’t looking good fellas. The speed finally starts to build…but…well…I just don’t think the old 140 has the chops to be a bush plane.
No further testing needed.