Piper Cheyenne 400

Overview

The Piper Cheyenne 400LS (PA-42-1000) is the ultimate development of the Cheyenne family and is widely regarded as the “hot rod” of corporate turboprops. Designed to compete directly with light jets like the Cessna Citation I, it features Honeywell (Garrett) TPE331-14 engines flat-rated to 1,000 shp each from a 1,650 shp gas-generator capability, driving distinctive four-blade Dowty Rotol composite propellers.

Certified in 1984 and built through 1991, only 43 aircraft were produced, making the 400LS one of the rarest production turboprops in the secondary market. The combination of TPE331 power, transcontinental range, and 41,000 ft service ceiling positioned it as a turboprop alternative to entry-level jets that could still operate from short runways and remote airfields.

Key Features for GA Buyers

• Jet-Like Speed: Cruise of 351 KTAS (over 400 mph) puts the 400LS among the fastest production turboprops ever built, matching or beating many light jets of its era.
• Climb Performance: Sea-level initial climb above 3,200 fpm allows direct departure to FL410, getting above weather and traffic in minutes.
• Range and Payload: Up to 2,240 nm range with a useful load exceeding 4,500 lbs and pressurization to 7.6 psi for a 10,000 ft cabin at FL410.
• Single-Pilot Capable: Certified for single-pilot operations with autopilot, broadening the operator profile beyond corporate flight departments.

Trade-offs

• Engine Management: TPE331 engines are highly efficient but operationally distinct from PT6A variants. The direct-drive single-shaft design demands precise temperature management and produces a louder ground signature.
• Operating Costs: Variable cost runs $1,500 to $2,000 per hour depending on operator and engine reserve assumptions, well above the smaller PT6A-powered Cheyennes.
• Cockpit: Avionics in un-upgraded airframes feel dated against modern glass cockpits, though Garmin and Avidyne retrofits are available.
• Rarity: With only 43 built, parts and type-experienced maintenance are harder to source than for the broader Cheyenne family.

See Also

• Piper PA-42-720 Cheyenne III – the 720 shp PT6A-41 sibling at the next tier down. Compare
• Beech Super King Air 350 – top-of-line PT6 turboprop with larger cabin and broader parts support. Compare
• Cessna Conquest II – the direct period rival, also TPE331-powered, slightly smaller and slower. Compare
• Mitsubishi Marquise/Solitaire – the other “fast turboprop” of the era, with comparable speed but tighter cabin. Compare
• Cessna Citation II/SP – the single-pilot light jet alternative the 400LS was built to challenge. Compare