Piper Dakota
In the first year of production of Piper Dakota turbo charged 200 horsepower Lycoming engines were used which had impressive cruise speeds of 154 knots. Useful load for this plane was 1320 pounds. Production for this turbo charged plane was stopped after one year and what was continued to be produced were the base Dakota model with an average cruise speed of 143 knots. Piper light aircrafts used to be the rag and tube type but the Piper Dakota was already the aluminum type of airplane or the sheet metal type.
If you are thinking if the Piper Dakota is the best airplane to have among the other planes in its category, let us look at other factors and what this plane is about. One of the biggest advantages that this plane can offer is that it can get you to any place you want to go, and do it fast. Although this plane is really not as popular as the other planes in its category, the Piper Dakota is really a gem of an airplane when you have one in your position. When you already have this plane you will be able to enjoy it for yours of flying. Although it does not really fly like a jet, but among planes in its category it is really a fast plane.
The Piper Dakota is designed differently than the other planes in its class and also designed to fly differently. It is a low wing designed plane and also designed to go slightly faster. With the low wing you will have a different flying experience, but there are a lot of pilots who love the low wing airplanes compared to the high wing Cessna's. They have different flight characterized and definitely you will have a different flying experience. The cruising speed of 143-145 knots is already fast for a 4 seater airplane that is not turbocharged. Flying range of the Piper Dakota is about 650 nautical miles which is further than competition. The Cessna's range is only about 445 nautical miles which is already quite a big difference.
This difference in range can be a big effect when you go long distance flying. If you are going on long trips, you will save a lot on fuel and time when you make stops for fuel. On long hauls, descent and fuel fill-up and take-off, will take more time and burns additional fuel. So, making sure that you can get the best plane for your private use, you can have a serious look at the Piper Dakota. This plane is also competitively priced among the other planes in its category. For the performance that you will get from this plane you may want to get into a flight at full gross weight of this plane and see how the Piper Dakota performs. Try this plane out on short field landings and take-offs and also on crosswind and feel the best on performance. From this you can decide on what is the best for you.
If you are thinking if the Piper Dakota is the best airplane to have among the other planes in its category, let us look at other factors and what this plane is about. One of the biggest advantages that this plane can offer is that it can get you to any place you want to go, and do it fast. Although this plane is really not as popular as the other planes in its category, the Piper Dakota is really a gem of an airplane when you have one in your position. When you already have this plane you will be able to enjoy it for yours of flying. Although it does not really fly like a jet, but among planes in its category it is really a fast plane.
The Piper Dakota is designed differently than the other planes in its class and also designed to fly differently. It is a low wing designed plane and also designed to go slightly faster. With the low wing you will have a different flying experience, but there are a lot of pilots who love the low wing airplanes compared to the high wing Cessna's. They have different flight characterized and definitely you will have a different flying experience. The cruising speed of 143-145 knots is already fast for a 4 seater airplane that is not turbocharged. Flying range of the Piper Dakota is about 650 nautical miles which is further than competition. The Cessna's range is only about 445 nautical miles which is already quite a big difference.
This difference in range can be a big effect when you go long distance flying. If you are going on long trips, you will save a lot on fuel and time when you make stops for fuel. On long hauls, descent and fuel fill-up and take-off, will take more time and burns additional fuel. So, making sure that you can get the best plane for your private use, you can have a serious look at the Piper Dakota. This plane is also competitively priced among the other planes in its category. For the performance that you will get from this plane you may want to get into a flight at full gross weight of this plane and see how the Piper Dakota performs. Try this plane out on short field landings and take-offs and also on crosswind and feel the best on performance. From this you can decide on what is the best for you.
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