This 1978 Piper PA-32RT-300 Is a Period-Perfect ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick

1978 Piper PA-32RT-300 Lance [Courtesy: Stephen Williamson]

Each day, the team at Aircraft For Sale picks an airplane that catches our attention because it is unique, represents a good deal, or has other interesting qualities. You can read Aircraft For Sale: Today’s Top Pick at FLYINGMag.com daily.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1978 Piper PA-32-300 Lance.

Over many years I developed an affection toward the T-tail Pipers of the late 1970s. They remind me of how strong the general aviation market was at the time and the lengths to which manufacturers would go to keep their lineups fresh and grab a few more sales. Piper also wanted to keep up with the latest trends, which included T-tails on propeller-driven aircraft.

Early in the decade, Beechcraft had introduced its King Air 200 turboprop, which sported the T-tail that still characterizes current King Air models. At the time, Beechcraft said mounting the horizontal stabilizer up high kept it clear of the wing’s wake, which improved control. Piper went for the same effect with its four-seat Arrow, six-seat Lance and the new two-seat Tomahawk trainer. Skeptics suggested the new tail was more of a marketing move, but that mattered little back in the day. The airplanes looked rakish and people bought them.

In the modern era these older designs offer practicality, value and a head-turning aesthetics. The Lance’s roomy cabin and large side door for passengers and cargo give it the feel of a personal airliner scaled to carry your family with space to spare.

This 1978 Lance has 2,981 hours on the airframe, 170 hours since overhaul on its 300 hp Lycoming IO-540 engine, and 591 hours since new on its three-blade Hartzell propeller.

The IFR panel includes a Garmin GPS 175, King KI 209 CDI, KI 207 CDI, King KX 175 nav/coms, a Garmin GTX 327 transponder, GDL 82, PS Engineering PMA7000B audio panel, a JPI engine analyzer, Century autopilot, and a DME.

Pilots who need the added comfort and flexibility of a six-seat aircraft and appreciate a dash of 1970s styling should consider this T-tail Piper PA-32RT-300 Lance, which is available for $145,000 on AircraftForSale.

If you’re interested in financing, you can do so with FLYING Finance. Use their airplane loan calculator to calculate your estimated monthly payments. Or, to speak with an aviation finance specialist, visit flyingfinance.com.