Saw a plane at the hangar called a Panther II

[midcap]

I tried google and it seems to be a souped up Navajo. Seemed like a cool pane, albeit pretty high up in the air.

 

[mscard88]

Wasn't it a Panther engine conversion?

 

[midcap]

Wasn't it a Panther engine conversion?

Probably, it's looked like a Navajo, I'll remember the tail number next time and search it.

 

[ronnieh]

That is the Colemill conversion for the PA31 series of aircraft. Winglets, four blade prop, all but the Chieftain get the upgrade to the 350 HP engine, Chieftain of course retains 350 HP.

 

[Zeldman]

If it is sitting up a little higher off the ground than normal, then it probably has had the landing gear update.

 

[ronnieh]

What is the landing gear update that Colemill does?

 

[midcap]

If it is sitting up a little higher off the ground than normal, then it probably has had the landing gear update.

Probably so, I mean it was up there, like need a ladder to get into it high.

 

[midcap]

That is the Colemill conversion for the PA31 series of aircraft. Winglets, four blade prop, all but the Chieftain get the upgrade to the 350 HP engine, Chieftain of course retains 350 HP.

yep 4 blades props and winglets.

Talk about a sharp looking plane if you can get past the very tall stance due to the gear. The plane looks like it is ready for high tide.

 

[Velocity173]

Always heard they were maintenance hogs.

 

[Kristin]

Always heard they were maintenance hogs.

Compared to a Cherokee derivative, sure! Compared to a similar Cessna or Beech, no.

 

[ronnieh]

Still don't know what gear mod you refer to. Never seen or heard of one. The four blade props add a little ground clearance and add weight but never seen a gear mod.
Not real bad on maintenance compared to other similar aircraft. Pretty simple systems over all.

 

[Mason]

 

[SkyDog58]

I also never heard of any such gear mod for the Navajo. The amount of structural modifications to the airframe needed to accommodate longer gear would be cost prohibitive and not provide any real benefit. As far as needing a ladder, the door does double as stairs.

 

[midcap]

I also never heard of any such gear mod for the Navajo. The amount of structural modifications to the airframe needed to accommodate longer gear would be cost prohibitive and not provide any real benefit. As far as needing a ladder, the door does double as stairs.

I figured it did.