I had the opportunity to test fly a 2000 Saratoga yesterday for a friend who is considering it as his first plane. The plane was nice and roomy inside, especially the back and doesn't wag like an A36. I couldn't find fault with the avionics and panel, things were well laid out with lots of room for additional items. It flew nice and stable, but not sporty like a Bonanza. I was able to get 160ktas at 25/25 and 17gph ROP. I don't know if you could run it LOP without Gamis and Lycoming says no to LOP operations.

The control wheel seemed cheap and you could wiggle it side-to-side when pulled full aft. It still feels like a PA28 in build quality.

Things that are a lot different is that the gear extension speed is near 130kts so you have to pull way back to 15" and wait a bit for the plane to slow down enough to lower the gear, then wait a bit more for 110kts to extend the first notch of flaps. So, descent planning requires more thought than a Bonanza where you can drop the gear and slow down easily and in short order.

Overall, I can see why someone would like these planes, they carry a lot, are roomy inside, and stable. I'm glad I don't have any of those requirements, I love my F33A

Before your friend buys a Saratoga, refer to Aviation Consumer and do a search on Used Aircraft Guide. The March 2004 did a very thorough review. While a good "load hauler" it did/does have some maintenance and AD issues.

I appears to fall somewhat short of the A36 in regards to dispatch reliability and AD's.

If not already a subscriber, it is money well spent and a very good resource.

YMMV

BK

I miss my large cockpit.....

I love Beechcraft, but if I had to choose a single engine plane today and needed room I would buy the Saratoga over the A36. The cabin is bigger and the front baggage area is a huge plus. The build quality is good, but not as solid as an A36 for sure. Does not handle as good either. The baggage room is the big plus. Not having baggage on the floor and seats is not only more comfortable, it is a big safety plus.

I have over 100 hours in a Straight tail Piper Lance, a precursor to the Saratoga. If I had a choice, I would pick a Beech.... There is a world of difference in how a beech handles....compared to a Lance.

A36 = plane for the pilot
PA32 = plane for the passengers

Summed up all of the above nicely!

An A36 does not "wag" if a yaw damper is installed.

Alan Chase

neither does my V35A.....with a yaw damper.

The PA-32 is as solid as a Chevy pickup....and comfy too....but, it's slow and a gas hog. Had I not wanted a better panel and the desire to down size.....I'd still have my PA-32.

It's a good plane for trips less than 400 miles requiring volumous space for hauling.

My instructor has an 81 turbo saratoga. he just put in Gami's but to get LOP he has to slow way down and still burns a lot, approx 142kt and 14gph.

Are they really that much roomier? the seats look a lot narrower than in an A36. i'm thinking a bit wider fuselage with narrower seats is how they made that "aisle".

the cabin/cockpit is +49" wide.....measure yours, it's less.

I'm thinking it's a few (2-3) inches wider at the last two seats for extra passenger comfort.

that extra 6-7 inches makes a huge difference in elbow banging comfort.

I owned a Cherokee 6 for 5 years , and then a T-Lance for 6 years --they both would haul everything you could stuff in them, but do not measure up to my A 36 in quality or ease to fly. My A 36 does not wiggle or waggle and it doesn't have a yaw d !!! I've had my Baby for almost 22 years .

I agree with the summary A36=Pilots plane, PA32=passengers plane. While the PA32 feels wider in the cabin (and in fact is) the baggage space in the PA32 is not a huge leap ahead of the A36. Front baggage Pa32=100 LBS, Rear baggage PA32=100lbs. A36 between 1st and 2nd row Club seats, =90lbs, rear baggage A36=70lbs. Some difference not huge the speed and fuel economy of the A36 wins the day.

A36 = BMW station wagon
PA32 = Chevy Caprice station wagon (wood paneling $25 extra)

I looked at a 2002 turbo Saratoga in my mechanics shop the other day. It had the new thinner wing and glass panel. Looked great.

I only have two words for anyone considering a piper product, parts availability!