The
need for affordable, reliable, entry-level aircraft in corporate
aviation has never been greater.
 The need for affordable, reliable, entry-level aircraft in corporate
aviation has never been greater. Some folks in business say the
airlines are a biz av operator's best friend for new business
development. While the need is clear and evident today, new aircraft
like the Eclipse and Mustang are several years from hitting the market.
The PC-12, TBM, Mirage, Meridian and Caravan have helped first-time
corporate owners to get into aircraft ownership/operation (Cessna
reports that 70% of all Caravan aircraft delivered this year have been
for personal/corporate use). But for some, a twin is really what they
want.
In 1972, the then Piper Aircraft Company took its highly successful
Navajo and added turbine engines. The result was the PA-31T engined
Turbine Navajo. The Cheyenne grew out of this concept and went through
several variations of increased size and power/performance until
production stopped.
The stock Cheyenne is a small, fast, twin-engine turboprop aircraft
with a range of 1,000 nautical miles nonstop and speeds of up to 260
kts. One key benefit has always been its combination of speed and
ability to use grass/unimproved airstrips. The aircraft has become
popular all over the world. Its adaptability and capability shine in
many roles - mostly as a charter or small corporate aircraft with
seating for 5 - 6, but also for government and special missions use.
Cheyenne aircraft can also be seen in use as an air ambulance with four
seats plus a stretcher, or as test beds for various aviation systems
and new developments (like the unit operated by Montreal based
Marinvent for such clients as NASA and Jeppesen) and as cloud
seeding/meteorological research aircraft, along with many other tasks.
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