My body has early 90’s Saratoga. He says he is not getting the speed from the airplane he normally does. Losing 10 knots TAS. He flies it often and has made no changes to his normal technique.

On my bonanza, I had issues with my gear being pulled open. The faster I went the more the gear would get pulled down. Is this a common problem on a Saratoga?Also, is the gear held up mechanically or with hydro pressure.

Planing on putting a GOPRO under there and flying it. But we’re going to put it in jacks and look for anything obvious.

BF

PA32 gear is held up with pressure. If the pressure bleeds down due to a leak (internal or external) a pressure switch should close and turn the pump on to build up pressure.

Is there a possibility the landing gear could be hanging down slightly or is just not a problem with this airplane?

I’ve never seen that happen. But never say never. For the pump to shut off early, I believe all three up limit switches would have to be adjusted wrong. Check the fluid level first.

I have the same problem with my Saratoga. It’s always been about 10 knots slower. However, this helps me with the cost of annuals and insurance. The gear just won’t come up at all.

Funny guy!

There has been more than a few times I wished mine was stiff legged. Replacing the gear pump is one of them.

It's the same gear system as on the Arrow. If there is a leak in the system the pressure bleeds down, the pump comes on, the in-transit light comes on, there is a little bump and then everything turns off until it loses pressure again. I agree that for it to leave the gear out in the breeze for any length of time it would require a switch problem.

Most likely loss of performance on PA28/32/34/44 is simply rigging of the flight controls.

The rigging tool diagrams are in the maintenance manual and fairly easy to fabricate. I've used angle aluminum and other inexpensive materials to make the tools in the past, since I was only planning to use them once. There's a tool for the bellcrank centering that's a little harder to make, but a machinist can make them in an hour or two. The main rigging tool is a stick with a little stud on it to set the aileron and flap neutral points. (which should coincide with the neutral point set with the bellcrank tool).

Not that I've ever done this before.

The Piper gear system is hydraulic pressure up-hold and not likely to leave the gear hanging down, but the gear doors are usually worn or mal-adjusted. Get it up on stands, cycle the gear and give them all a good going over.