TYPE: Six-seat utility transport.
PROGRAMME: Saratoga family of fixed and retractable landing gear light aircraft announced 17 December 1979 to replace earlier PA-32 Cherokee SIX 300 and T-tail Lance series; fixed-gear models now out of production; Saratoga II HP introduced in 1993, featuring axisymmetric engine inlets, aerodynamic clean-up and interior improvements and restyling.
CURRENT VERSIONS: Saratoga II HP: Standard version, as described.
Saratoga II TC: Turbocharged version with Textron Lycoming TIO-540 engine; described separately.
6X: Fixed-gear version; described separately.
CUSTOMERS: Total of 38 HPs delivered in 1997, 28 in 1998, 30 in 1999, 28 in 2000, 22 in 2001, five in 2002, and eight in the first nine months of 2003.
Piper has built over 7,200 of PA-32 family since prototype first flew on 6 December 1963.
COSTS: Standard, equipped US$440,800 (2003).
DESIGN FEATURES: Larger counterpart to PA-28 series, featuring stretched fuselage. Current versions have 'semi-tapered' wing, with root glove, unswept inboard panel and tapered outer panel with small fence inboard of tip.
Wing section NACA 662-415, dihedral 7°, thickness/chord ratio 15 per cent, twist 2°, incidence 2°, washout 0°.
FLYING CONTROLS: Conventional. Ailerons, rudder and all-moving tailplane with combined anti-servo and trim tab. Rudder trim; four-position electrically actuated flaps with preselect.
STRUCTURE: Conventional light alloy, with semi-monocoque fuselage, single-spar wings and ribbed light alloy skins on fin and tailplane; glass fibre nose cowl and wing/tailplane/fintips.
LANDING GEAR: Hydraulically retractable tricycle type with single wheel on each unit. Main units retract inward, nosewheel aft. Emergency free-fall extension system. Piper oleo-pneumatic shock-absorbers. Steerable nosewheel. Mainwheels and tyres size 6.00-6 (8 ply), pressure 2.62 bar (38 lb/sq in). Nosewheel and tyre size 5.00-5 (6 ply), pressure 2.41 bar (35 lb/sq in).
POWER PLANT: One 224 kW (300 hp) Textron Lycoming IO-540-K1G5 flat-six engine, driving a Hartzell three-blade constant-speed metal propeller. Two fuel tanks in each wing with combined capacity of 405 litres (107 US gallons; 89.1 Imp gallons), of which 386 litres (102 US gallons; 84.9 Imp gallons) are usable. Refuelling points on wing upper surface. Oil capacity 11.5 litres (3.0 US gallons; 2.5 Imp gallons).
ACCOMMODATION: Enclosed cabin seating six people, rear four in club arrangement; dual controls standard. Two forward-hinged doors, one on starboard side forward, overwing, and one on port side at rear end of cabin. Space for 45 kg (100 lb) baggage at rear of cabin, with external, lockable baggage/utility door on port side. Additional baggage space, capacity 45 kg (100 lb), between engine fireproof bulkhead and instrument panel, with external door on starboard side. Pilot's storm window. Accommodation heated and ventilated. Piper Aire air conditioning system optional. Windscreen defroster standard.
SYSTEMS: Electrically driven hydraulic pump for landing gear actuation. Electrical system includes 28 V 90 A engine-driven alternator and 24 V 10 Ah battery. Standby vacuum system standard. Optional oxygen system and Piper Aire air conditioning.
AVIONICS: Standard Garmin International and Meggit package.
Comms: Garmin GMA-340 audio panel with marker beacon receiver and stereo intercom; GTX-320 solid-state transponder.
Flight: Dual Garmin GNS-430 integrated VOR/LOC/GS/COM and GPS, GI-106A VOR/LOC/GD/GPS indicator, Meggit ST-180 HSI, DME 450 and Meggit 55 two-axis autopilot with automatic electric trim, DG with heading bug and trim indicator, ST-361 ADI with flight director features.
Instrumentation: Dual GNS-430 high-resolution colour LCD MFD; Piper true airspeed indicator, illuminated magnetic compass, sensitive altimeter (with second optional) ADI, HSI, rate of turn indicator, rate of climb indicator, OAT gauge, digital ammeter, annunciator panel with push-to-test, recording tachometer, manifold pressure/fuel flow gauge, oil pressure gauge, oil temperature gauge, dual fuel quantity gauges, fuel quantity sight gauges, CHT gauge, EGT gauge and vacuum gauge. Co-pilot's 76 mm (3 in) instrument panel with electric attitude indicator optional.
EQUIPMENT: Standard equipment includes engine hour recorder, alternate static source, electric clock, internally lit rocker switches, heated pitot head, resettable circuit breakers in CB panel, standby electric vacuum pump, electric emergency fuel pump, external power receptacle, instrument panel lighting package, avionics dimming, map lights, navigation lights, landing/taxying light, wingtip strobe lights, pulsating recognition lights, pilot's and co-pilot's vertically adjustable all-leather seats, pilot's vent window, sun visors, four all-leather passenger seats with headrests, shoulder harnesses, seat belts, and quick-release facility, fold-down armrests (fifth and sixth seats), refreshment console, executive writing table, Hobnail fabric side panels, super 'Quietised' soundproofing, utility door for rear baggage access and cargo loading, static discharge wicks, and Du Pont Imron 6000 clearcoat/basecoat exterior paint. Optional equipment includes entertainment/executive console; provision for AM/FM radio and CD player, multimedia entertainment system and laptop computer workstation; and metallic paint.
