Piper · 1976–1979

Piper Lance / Lance II (1976-1979)

piperlanceretractablelow-wingsix-seatcross-countryhaulerComplext-tail300hpcherokee-six-airframe

Specifications

Cruise

155KTAS

Range

900nm

Seats

Useful Load

1620lbs

Full-fuel payload

1,056lbs

Fuel Burn

15.5gph

Fuel Cap.

94gal

MPG

11.5mpg

Stall (Vs0)

55KIAS

T/O roll

960ft

Ldg roll

720ft

Power

300hp

Engine

piston single

Gear

Retractable

IFR

Yes

Pricing

Typical

$145k

Range

$105k – $195k

Annual all-in

~$19k/yr

All-in estimate at ~100 flying hours a year — fuel, annual inspection, engine reserve, insurance, and hangar. It scales with your actual hours, and insurance and hangar vary most by region and pilot.

Cost to own — estimate

Set your yearly hours and local fuel price. Fixed costs (insurance, hangar, annual inspection) don't change with hours; fuel and the engine reserve do.

Hours per year100

20300

Fuel price ($/gal)$6.50

$3$10

Fuel (15.5 gph): $10,075
Engine reserve (toward overhaul): $2,900
Fixed (insurance, hangar, annual, subscriptions): $6,025
Total per year: $19,000
Per flight hour: $190
Miles flown / year (at cruise): 17,837 mi
Cost per mile: $1.07/mi

Estimate, not a quote — insurance and hangar (the fixed bucket) vary most by region and pilot. Anchored to our model figure at 100 hrs and $6.50/gal.

Title & Escrow partnerExample placement

Strengths

1,620 lb useful load—best-in-class for 6-seat retractable
155 KTAS cruise at reasonable fuel burn (15.5 GPH)
Lower acquisition cost than equivalent A36 Bonanza
Proven Lycoming IO-540 300 HP engine

Weaknesses

T-tail Lance II (1978-79) has reduced pitch authority at low speeds
T-tail Lance II sensitive to aft CG loading; structural design margins tighter than conventional tail
Retractable gear hydraulics add complexity vs. fixed-gear alternatives
T-tail models command 10-15% lower resale prices

Overview

The 1976 Piper PA-32R-300 Lance is the first retractable-gear Cherokee Six -- the Cherokee Six 300 airframe with retractable landing gear, providing 6-seat cabin and 1,620 lb useful load with cruise speed approaching the smaller A36 Bonanza. Production: approximately 1,200 units across 1976-1979.

The Lance line evolved through two distinct variants:

Lance (1976-1977): Standard conventional tail, PA-32R-300
Lance II (1978-1979): Distinctive T-tail variant, PA-32RT-300

In 1980 the Lance was renamed the Saratoga SP with a new tapered wing and conventional tail, ending the brief Lance era.

The T-Tail Controversy

The 1978-1979 Lance II's T-tail generated significant pilot debate:

T-tail aesthetic was distinctive (popular at the time for new-design singles)
Aerodynamically refined (claimed +3 KTAS cruise)
BUT: Reduced pitch authority at low speeds
Lance II is sensitive to weight aft of CG limit
T-tail combined with rear loading on Six fuselage created marginal handling

Piper returned to a conventional tail with the 1980 Saratoga SP, citing pilot feedback. Lance IIs (T-tail) command lower prices than equivalent Lance (conventional tail) examples.

Performance

Representative Lance (PA-32R-300, IO-540-K1G5D 300 HP):

Cruise: 155 KTAS at 7,500 ft (75% power)
Climb: 1,000 FPM at gross
Fuel burn: 15.5 GPH cruise
Range: 900 NM with reserves at 94 gal fuel
Useful load: 1,620 lbs (excellent for 6-seat retractable)

The Lance's 1,620 lb useful load is meaningfully better than the equivalent A36 Bonanza (1,200 lbs) at lower acquisition cost. Trade-offs: 15 KTAS slower cruise and shorter range.

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Valuation Factors

Variant	Condition	Price Range
Lance (1976-1977, conventional tail)	Well-maintained	$120,000-$185,000
Lance II (1978-1979, T-tail)	Well-maintained	$105,000-$165,000

T-tail Lance II discount reflects market preference for conventional tail. Conversion of T-tail Lance II to conventional tail is not available -- structural modification is impractical.

Financing partnerExample placement

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ADs & Common Problems

Universal PA-32 concerns plus Lance-specific:

T-tail elevator authority (Lance II): Verify rigging and elevator condition; T-tail elevator wear is harder to detect.
Lycoming IO-540 cylinder condition: Borescope all 6 cylinders.
Retractable gear hydraulics: Inspect gear motor, hydraulic pump, and gear doors.
Spar AD compliance (AD 2020-26-16): Inspect main spar.
W&B documentation: Lance is sensitive to aft CG loading; verify current W&B is accurate.

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