BeechTalk - BT

Username Protected · **Posted:** 05 Jan 2026, 14:07

Username Protected wrote:

Resurrecting an old thread. Currently a Mooney M20J driver for the past 5 years. I’ve got it dialed in, Garmin 500 autopilot with garmin avionics suite. It’ll do 155 ktas on 10 gph at 8000’. But it’s starting to get small with two tall adults and a growing kiddo. I live at 3000’ and am usually flying at 9000’ to 10,000’ to get over the turbulence of western Texas. The cabin of the PA32 looks very inviting.

Theres a thread on here a few years ago of some guy tuning the turbo Saratoga with the intercooler mod to get 185ktas at 8500’. I saved the thread a few years ago. Granted it was the better/updated wing. Has anyone tried to tune their turbo lance to get better cooling / optimal airspeed like that? Jesse was his first name. Can’t remember the last name.

I'd be surprised if a turbo Saratoga could cruise at 185 kt down around 8000 MSL. At much higher altitudes it might be possible.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 05 Jan 2026, 14:31

Look it up, he was pretty detailed in his approach and well documented.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 05 Jan 2026, 15:10

JAL used Pipers as trainers for awhile, and when they switched from the Arrow 3 conventional tail to the the Arrow 4 T-tail it was a disappointment. Couldn't get a smooth takeoff rotation. They even adjusted the angle of incidence, but little help. Piper seems to have these problems in the T-tail single engine piston line, apparently including the Lance.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 05 Jan 2026, 15:15

I had a PA-32 for a few years and you won’t find a more comfortable plane to ride in….as a pilot it’s not the best or the fastest but it will get the job done…..and the Mrs will like the cabin space.

I sold it and bought a V35A….. :peace:

Username Protected · **Posted:** 05 Jan 2026, 21:37

Username Protected wrote:

Look it up, he was pretty detailed in his approach and well documented.

My experience was about 170ktas at 17,000. At ISA that’s about 130IAS. 185ktas at 8500, ISA day over 160kias. Since in intercooled PA32 can maintain any realistic cruise power to 17000’, his results imply his PA32 could cruise 209ktas at 17,000. Skeptical…

Username Protected · **Posted:** 05 Jan 2026, 22:44

viewtopic.php?f=49&t=159870

You read it and then tell me what you think.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 06 Jan 2026, 01:27

Username Protected wrote:

https://beechtalk.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=159870

You read it and then tell me what you think.

I read the whole thread. I saw that he got about 178 KTAS at 12,200 (confirmed with a GPS triangle) and 185 KTAS at 15,500 (unconfirmed). While this is impressive for a turbo Saratoga it's still a long way from 185 Kt at 8500 ft.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 06 Jan 2026, 10:01

ForeFlight says book value in HP Cruise for our 2004 II TC lightly loaded is ~175-178 kt. So not exactly 185 kt but not too far off either. I can confirm it makes 180 up high on around 20 USG/h.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 06 Jan 2026, 11:52

Username Protected wrote:

https://beechtalk.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=159870

You read it and then tell me what you think.

I read the whole thread. I saw that he got about 178 KTAS at 12,200 (confirmed with a GPS triangle) and 185 KTAS at 15,500 (unconfirmed). While this is impressive for a turbo Saratoga it's still a long way from 185 Kt at 8500 ft.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 06 Jan 2026, 12:08

Username Protected wrote:

Look it up, he was pretty detailed in his approach and well documented.

My experience was about 170ktas at 17,000. At ISA that’s about 130IAS. 185ktas at 8500, ISA day over 160kias. Since in intercooled PA32 can maintain any realistic cruise power to 17000’, his results imply his PA32 could cruise 209ktas at 17,000. Skeptical…

Username Protected · **Posted:** 07 Jan 2026, 17:18

Just my $.02 Having flown a PA32 my feeling is that "tuning" is sort of missing the point. For me its a simple rugged, reliable, easy-to-fly plane that can carry a lot of passengers and cargo and operate out of short fields.

Great for what it does, but not a speedster or a joy to fly. If it really can do 185 at 8500' the fuel burn must be very high.

Username Protected wrote:

Resurrecting an old thread. Currently a Mooney M20J driver for the past 5 years. I’ve got it dialed in, Garmin 500 autopilot with garmin avionics suite. It’ll do 155 ktas on 10 gph at 8000’. But it’s starting to get small with two tall adults and a growing kiddo. I live at 3000’ and am usually flying at 9000’ to 10,000’ to get over the turbulence of western Texas. The cabin of the PA32 looks very inviting.

Theres a thread on here a few years ago of some guy tuning the turbo Saratoga with the intercooler mod to get 185ktas at 8500’. I saved the thread a few years ago. Granted it was the better/updated wing. Has anyone tried to tune their turbo lance to get better cooling / optimal airspeed like that? Jesse was his first name. Can’t remember the last name.

Username Protected

Flew a brand new one in the late 70s for charter. Personally I thought it was the worst hand flying piece of crap ever put in the sky. Hot start issues, elevator was terrible in its feel and rode like crap in turbulence. Thats all I remember.

Piper T tail lance thoughts?