Piper PA-36 Pawnee Brave

The Piper PA-36 Pawnee Brave was developed as a purpose-built agricultural aircraft. Introduced in the 1970s, it supported crop dusting and aerial application work. The design emphasized payload and durability.

Piper PA-36-285 Pawnee Brave © Jan Hetebrij

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Overview

Piper United States ICAO: PA36 1973–1981 Active $19,000 (1973)

Piper PA-36 Pawnee Brave — agricultural utility aircraftThe Pawnee Brave entered service in 1973 as an evolution of earlier agricultural models. It featured a reinforced airframe and large hopper for chemical payload. The aircraft was optimized for low-level operations.Piston engines producing approximately 300 horsepower powered early variants. Cruise speed was around 120 knots (222 km/h). Maximum takeoff weight exceeded 4,000 pounds (1,814 kg) depending on configuration.The PA-36 became widely used in agricultural aviation. Its rugged design supported demanding field operations. Production concluded in the 1980s.

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Specifications

Units
Engine
1 × Lycoming IO-540-K1G5
Engine type
Piston
Power
300 hp · 224 kW
Avionics
—
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
1
Crew
—
Cabin width
—
Cabin height
—
Cabin length
—
Exterior length
27 ft 6 in  ·  8.38 m
Tail height
7 ft 6 in  ·  2.29 m
Fuselage diameter
3 ft 7 in  ·  1.10 m
Wing span
38 ft 9 in  ·  11.82 m
Baggage volume
38 ft³  ·  1.1 m³
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
4,650 lb  ·  2,100 kg
Max landing weight
—
Max payload
2,200 lb  ·  1,000 kg
Fuel capacity
90 gal · 300 L · 200 kg (AvGas)
Max cruise speed
118 kt  ·  136 mph  ·  219 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
54 kt  ·  62 mph  ·  100 km/h
Range
393 nm  ·  450 mi  ·  730 km
Fuel burn
—
Ceiling
15,000 ft  ·  4,600 m
Rate of climb
920 ft/min  ·  5 m/s
Takeoff distance
1,510 ft  ·  460 m
Landing distance
1,440 ft  ·  440 m
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Piper PA-36 Brave ‘N3794E’

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Operational Context

On December 5, 1969, the prototype designated as PA-36 Pawnee II took to the air for the first time. It was powered by a 260 horsepower Lycoming engine. In 1972, the Piper PA-36 was initially introduced as an improved version of the PA-25 Pawnee fitted with an uprated Continental Tiara 6-285 horizontally-opposed engine of 285 horsepower.

It featured a new wing with detachable leading edges, enhanced ventilation system and heating system, as well as Safoam anti-sloshing compounds, and a 0.85 cubic meter enlarged standard hopper.

In 1973, the PA-36 entered into service. The initial version of the aircraft was designated as the PA-36 Pawnee Brave 285. In 1977, a newer variant designated as PA-36 Pawnee Brave 300 was built. It was powered by a normally-aspirated Lycoming IO-540-K1G5 engine rated at 300 horsepower. In 1978, the PA-36 Brave 375 was built.

It was powered by a Lycoming IO-720-D1CD horizontally-opposed eight-cylinder piston engine rated at 375 horsepower. In 1982, two versions were built designated as the New Brave 375 and New Brave 400. These were WTA-built versions powered by 375 horsepower and 400 horsepower engines, respectively. In 1987, a total of 150 New Braves were built.

The Piper PA-36 Pawnee Brave is a single-seat agricultural aircraft with an external length of 8.38 meters, an external height of 1.85 meters, and a fuselage diameter of 1.1 meters. It featured a low wing with a wingspan of 11.82 meters and a wing area of 20.96 square meters. It has a tail height of 2.29 meters and a wheelbase of 5.9 meters. The aircraft has an empty weight of 1,118 kg, a maximum takeoff weight of 2,177 kg, and a maximum payload of 1,000 kg. The usable fuel capacity is 86 US gal.

The aircraft has a maximum speed of 123 knots and a cruise speed of 118 knots. The travel range is 393 nautical miles. It can fly up to 15,000 feet and can climb at a rate of 920 feet per minute. The takeoff and landing distances are 460 meters and 440 meters, respectively.