Range Map
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Payload vs. Range
Fuel on board
Cargo
nm
Range
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We do not have a cruise speed on file for this aircraft, so there is no honest time or cost to give you for this leg.
En route
Fuel burned
Direct cost
Fuel cost
Tanks run dry about past before at this burn.
Mission Profile
- Complex
- Multi-Engine
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Estimated Ownership Costs
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About the Piper Seminole
Type certificated 1978 Source: FAA Type Certificate Data Sheet
Overview
The Piper PA-44-180 Seminole is a widely used multi-engine trainer, in production (with gaps) since 1979. Developed from the Piper Arrow, it pairs that single’s T-tail and semi-tapered wing with two 180-horsepower Lycoming engines, one of them counter-rotating. Piper still builds the Seminole for the flight-training market, and large numbers serve at collegiate and professional flight schools.
The Seminole exists to teach multi-engine flying, not to travel fast or far. Counter-rotating propellers remove the critical-engine factor, simple carbureted engines and modest systems keep training costs down, and docile handling makes it forgiving during engine-out drills. The mission comes first here, and it is training: earning a multi-engine rating, building twin time, and drilling engine-out work. For that the Seminole is purpose-built, its counter-rotating propellers removing the critical engine and its simple carbureted systems holding costs down, and the buyer who accepts a four-seat cabin and a roughly 160-knot cruise gets a light twin supported at flight schools almost everywhere.
Key Features for GA Buyers
- Counter-rotating propellers. The right engine turns counterclockwise (LO-360), eliminating the critical engine and making single-engine training more symmetrical.
- Carbureted Lycoming engines. Two 180-horsepower O-360s with a 2,000-hour TBO and minimal systems keep maintenance straightforward.
- Widespread flight-school adoption. Parts, mechanics, and instructor familiarity are common across the training fleet.
- Current production. Piper still builds the Seminole, so factory parts and support remain available for the fleet.
- Stable handling in slow flight and engine-out drills. Well suited to the airwork of multi-engine training.
Trade-offs
- Marginal single-engine climb. With 180 hp per side, the single-engine service ceiling is low (a few thousand feet density altitude), so it cannot hold altitude on one engine over high terrain.
- Tight four-seat cabin. Essentially an Arrow fuselage, narrower than a Seneca or Duchess and not suited to long family trips.
- Modest cruise. Around 160 knots on roughly 20 GPH combined, slower and thirstier per seat than a high-performance single.
- T-tail handling. The T-tail needs airflow to become effective, giving heavier rotation on takeoff and less elevator authority in the flare than a low-tail twin.
- Twin operating costs. Two engines, retractable gear, and twin insurance put running costs well above a comparable single.
See Also
- Piper PA-34 Seneca – Piper’s larger turbocharged six-place twin. Compare
- Beechcraft Duchess 76 – Beechcraft’s directly comparable trainer twin. Compare
- Piper PA-23 Apache – an older, lower-cost entry-level twin. Compare
- Piper PA-30 Turbo Twin Comanche – a faster, more efficient vintage light twin. Compare
Technical Specifications
Dimensions & Weights
- Height
- 8 ft
- Length
- 28 ft
- Parking area (ft²2)
- 1,584 ft²
- Max Takeoff Weight
- 3,800 lbs
- Max Landing Weight
- 3,800 lbs
- Useful Load
- 1,150 lbs
- Fuel Capacity
- 108 gal
Performance
- Cruise Speed
- 162 KTAS
- Never-Exceed (VNE)
- Source: manufacturer figure 202 KIAS
- Max Structural Cruise (VNO)
- Source: manufacturer figure 169 KIAS
- Approach Speed
- 88 KIAS
- Stall, Clean (VS1)
- 57 KIAS
- Range
- 700 NM
- Service Ceiling
- 15,000 ft
- Rate of Climb
- 212 - 1340 fpm
- Takeoff over 50 ft obstacle
- 1,400 ft
- Landing over 50 ft obstacle
- 1,490 ft
Engines
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Sources
Where the figures on this page come from. Piper Seminole specifications are traced to published references; estimated values are flagged inline next to the figure.
Similar to the Piper Seminole
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