Piper PA-42 Cheyenne III

The high-speed turboprop built for executive and regional performance.

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‘D-IAAE’ Piper PA-42-720 Cheyenne IIIA – © Tony Guest

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Overview

Piper United States ICAO: PA42 1979–1993 $3.3 million (1993)

The Piper PA-42 Cheyenne III was developed as a high-performance turboprop in the 1970s. Designed for corporate and commuter markets, it offered higher speeds than earlier piston twins. The aircraft became known for its performance among executive operators.

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Specifications

Units
Engine
2 × P&WC PT6A-41/61
Engine type
Turboprop
Power
2 × 720 shp · 537 kW
Avionics
Collins FCB 65 five-tube EFIS, Collins FCB 65 flight director, and APS 65 autopilot etc.
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
10
Crew
—
Cabin width
4 ft 3 in  ·  1.30 m
Cabin height
4 ft 5 in  ·  1.35 m
Cabin length
18 ft 1 in  ·  5.50 m
Exterior length
43 ft 4 in  ·  13.20 m
Tail height
14 ft 9 in  ·  4.50 m
Fuselage diameter
4 ft 6 in  ·  1.38 m
Wing span
47 ft 7 in  ·  14.50 m
Baggage volume
31 ft³  ·  0.9 m³
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
11,200 lb  ·  5,100 kg
Max landing weight
10,300 lb  ·  4,700 kg
Max payload
4,150 lb  ·  1,900 kg
Fuel capacity
560 gal · 2,100 L · 1,700 kg (Jet A)
Max cruise speed
305 kt  ·  351 mph  ·  565 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
77 kt  ·  89 mph  ·  143 km/h
Range
2,270 nm  ·  2,610 mi  ·  4,200 km
Fuel burn
—
Ceiling
35,000 ft  ·  10,700 m
Rate of climb
2,235 ft/min  ·  11 m/s
Takeoff distance
3,250 ft  ·  990 m
Landing distance
3,000 ft  ·  920 m
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‘D-IOVP’ Piper PA-42-720 Cheyenne IIIA

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Operational Context

Piper PA-42 Cheyenne III — pressurized twin-turboprop

The Cheyenne III first flew in 1978 and entered service in 1979. It featured a stretched fuselage and pressurized cabin compared with earlier Cheyenne variants. The low-wing design incorporated retractable landing gear and modern avionics for its time.

Powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A turboprop engines producing approximately 720 shaft horsepower each, the Cheyenne III cruised at around 300 knots (556 km/h). Maximum takeoff weight exceeded 11,000 pounds (4,990 kg). The cabin typically accommodated six to eight passengers.

The Cheyenne III was appreciated for its speed and climb performance. It served in corporate and air taxi roles before production ended in the 1980s. The aircraft remains part of Piper’s turboprop legacy.