Where it fits well
- 291 kt cruise supports fast regional travel.
- 845 nm advertised range creates a practical planning radius of about 566 nm with 4 occupants.
- 540 kg realistic payload proxy and 7 seats define the usable cabin mission.
_at_Wagga_Wagga_Airport_(1).jpg)
Photo: Bidgee · CC BY-SA 3.0 au · representative variantKey figures
Indicative planning data, compiled 2026-07. Verify against the AFM and records.
| Seats | 7 |
| Realistic payload with mission fuel | 540 kg |
| Advertised range | 845 nm |
| Practical planning radius (4 people) | 566 nm |
| Cruise speed | 291 kt |
| Runway need | ~900 m |
| Pressurised | Yes |
| Fuel | Jet A-1 |
| Fixed annual base | €120k |
| Direct cost per flight hour | €2380 |
The ownership trade-off
The PA-42 Cheyenne IIIA combines 7-seat turboprop capability with about 845 NM reported range and about 291 kt reported cruise, while payload, runway and operating-cost figures remain indicative and should be verified for the specific aircraft before making a decision.
Cost picture at different usage
- 40 hours/year: about €397k per year ( €9930 per flight hour all-in)
- 80 hours/year: about €492k per year ( €6155 per flight hour all-in)
- 120 hours/year: about €588k per year ( €4897 per flight hour all-in)
- 180 hours/year: about €730k per year ( €4058 per flight hour all-in)
Older examples add calendar-driven maintenance: a 2011-built airframe is estimated at €343k per year at 80 hours. Condition, engine time remaining and avionics matter more than the year itself — price the aircraft in front of you, not the model.
Limitations to price honestly
- The PA-42 Cheyenne IIIA combines 7-seat turboprop capability with about 845 NM reported range and about 291 kt reported cruise, while payload, runway and operating-cost figures remain indicative and should be verified for the specific aircraft before making a decision.
- €120k fixed annual planning base before flying a single hour.
- Approximate 900 m take-off requirement must be checked against runway, surface, slope, temperature and loading.
Recommended missions
- Family and small-group touring with a weight-and-balance check for every trip.
- Short and medium regional trips, accepting fuel stops when conditions require.
- Time-sensitive business travel where dispatch reliability justifies the cost.