Piper T-1050 project

[hesham]

Hi,

the Piper T-1050 was developed from PA.31,with fuselage lengthened
by 11ft 6in (3.51m) to provide an aircraft suitable for use as a cargo
carrier.
http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1983/1983%20-%201378.html?search=PIPER%20T-1050

 

[Yeager]

The article about the T-1050 lists the following specs:
Payload=3000 lb
Fuel load=1200 lb
Range=500 nautical miles (w/o reserves) or 385 nautical miles w/ reserves
Capacity=15 passengers

As noted in the article, the T-1050 was to be a conversion of a number of existing T-1040 airframes.

 

[samardza]

The article about the T-1050 lists the following specs:
Payload=3000 lb
Fuel load=1200 lb
Range=500 nautical miles (w/o reserves) or 385 nautical miles w/ reserves
Capacity=15 passengers

As noted in the article, the T-1050 was to be a conversion of a number of existing T-1040 airframes.

Sounds like it was intended to compete with the Caravan

 

[hesham]

The article about the T-1050 lists the following specs:
Payload=3000 lb
Fuel load=1200 lb
Range=500 nautical miles (w/o reserves) or 385 nautical miles w/ reserves
Capacity=15 passengers

As noted in the article, the T-1050 was to be a conversion of a number of existing T-1040 airframes.

That's right Yeager.

 

[Apophenia]

So, the T-1050 was actually a PA-31T3 derivative. And note Flight's mention of an STC programme. Obviously, the point of converting PA-31T3/T-1040 airframes was to avoid full certification costs/hassles for the T-1050.

 

[riggerrob]

Plenty of Piper Navajos still haul parcels as sub-contractors to the larger courier companies like UPS, DHL, FedEx, etc. They often "bulk out" before reaching gross weight. That is when the extra volume comes in handy.