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avionics. N7222F boasts RVSM approv- al, ADSB-In and Out, Garmin Active Traffic, weather radar, two G600s and two GTN750s completely integrated with the original jet-level Collins APS 65 Autopilot, bringing its automation to 21st century standards.
It’s a shame Piper stopped manu- facturing the PA42-1000 in 1992 due to a continuing economic downturn, forcing most aircraft manufactur- ers into bankruptcy. Many aircraft including the 400LS were put to the wayside never to be manufactured again. Of the original 44 aircraft, just over 20 are believed to be flying in the United States today. A fleet of this size does not provide the manufacturer and maintenance shops enough incen- tives to produce parts and specialized maintenance support. The 17-foot high tail also makes finding a T-hangar at most GA airports a challenge. Today, the 400LS averages a purchase price under $1 million, with total fixed and variable hourly operating expenses of $1,500. And at 12,050 pounds MGTOW,
it is approved for single-pilot opera- tions without a type rating, although insurance companies require annual training.
World Traveler
The Piper Cheyenne 400LS is uniquely positioned to adapt to our various missions in payload, distance and speed. Within our first year of ownership, my wife and I traveled to Bermuda, multiple Caribbean loca- tions, and a 1,400-nm nonstop from Aspen, Colorado to Leesburg, Virginia.
In October of 2019, with four occu- pants, we traveled through Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Ireland, Italy and back to Leesburg. The majority of the flights were flown above most airlin- ers in comfort, style and at a fuel cost less than economy class tickets for the same itinerary.
Although becoming an Earth- rounder has been postponed by the COVID-19 crisis, we are looking for- ward to completing the mission in a post-pandemic world.
CIES Corporation
Turbines Inc.
October 2020 / TWIN & TURBINE • 29