Private Single Engine
Overview
Piper PA-25 Pawnee — single-seat agricultural aircraftThe PA-25 first flew in 1957 and entered service in 1959. It adopted a high-wing configuration for visibility and spray clearance. The airframe was reinforced for low-level operations.Piston engines producing between 235 and 300 horsepower powered various versions. Cruise speed approached 120 knots (222 km/h). Maximum takeoff weight exceeded 3,000 pounds (1,361 kg).The Pawnee became widely used in crop-dusting operations worldwide. Its rugged construction suited demanding field work. Production concluded in the 1980s.
Live Fleet Activity (PA25)
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Specifications
Units
- Engine
- 1 × Lycoming O-540-B2B5
- Engine type
- Piston
- Power
- 235 hp · 175 kW
- Avionics
- —
- Wing tips
- No winglets
- Seats
- 1
- Crew
- —
- Cabin width
- —
- Cabin height
- —
- Cabin length
- —
- Exterior length
- 24 ft 9 in · 7.55 m
- Tail height
- —
- Fuselage diameter
- 3 ft 3 in · 1.00 m
- Wing span
- 36 ft 2 in · 11.02 m
- Baggage volume
- —
- Gross weight
- —
- Empty weight
- —
- Max takeoff weight
- 2,900 lb · 1,300 kg
- Max landing weight
- —
- Max payload
- 1,200 lb · 550 kg
- Fuel capacity
- 40 gal · 100 L · 100 kg (AvGas)
- Max cruise speed
- 107 kt · 123 mph · 198 km/h
- Maximum speed
- —
- Cruise speed
- —
- Approach speed
- 53 kt · 61 mph · 98 km/h
- Range
- 203 nm · 230 mi · 380 km
- Fuel burn
- —
- Ceiling
- 13,000 ft · 4,000 m
- Rate of climb
- 630 ft/min · 3 m/s
- Takeoff distance
- 1,350 ft · 410 m
- Landing distance
- 1,250 ft · 380 m
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Live fleet activity details
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Operational Context
In 1953, the aircraft designer Fred Ernest Weick was asked by Piper to act as a consultant on the agricultural variant of the Piper PA-18 Super Cub designated as PA-18A specifically to build and test an aircraft that will distribute dust and seeds.
After a few weeks, an agricultural aircraft derived on the AG-1 incorporated with PA-18A and PA-22 parts was designed by the Texas A&M University. It was designated as the AG-3 and was comparably small than the AG-1 with a steel tube fuselage covered in fabric.
The designed AG-3 was a low-wing monoplane that could accommodate a single seat positioned high in the fuselage and equipped with wing struts that joined the wings and the fuselage. It also featured a tailwheel-type landing gear and an engine rated at 135 horsepower.
In November 1954, the aircraft conducted its first flight. The flight test was a success and a few years later, in 1957, the AG-3 was given the new name as the PA-25 Pawnee. The 135-horsepower engine was improved to Lycoming O-320-A1A rated at 150 horsepower.
In the same year, two pre-production models were built and in May 1959, aircraft production began. The initial production version was designated as PA-25-150 Pawnee. In 1962, the PA-25-235 Pawnee B was built. It was powered by a Lycoming O-540-B2B5 engine rated at 235 horsepower and showcased a larger hopper, enhanced dispersal gear, and increased payload of 540 kg.
In 1967, the PA-25-235 and PA-25-260 Pawnee C were introduced. It was an enhanced variant of the previous Pawnee B fitted with a 235 horsepower or 260 horsepower high-compression type of the Lycoming O-540 engine. It also featured a fixed-pitch or a constant-speed propeller.
The Pawnee C was designed with oleo shock-absorbers, an easily-removed panel, and other upgrades. The PA-25-235 and PA-25-260 Pawnee D with fuel tanks located in the outer wings were also built, as well as the eTug; a converted PA-25 fitted with a General Motors LS all-alloy automotive water-cooled engine and drives a three-bladed composite propeller.
Sources and references used for research and fact-checking.