How would I have to modify the Piper PA-28 to fly at 25,000 feet (same as PA-34 and PA-46)? Could it fly higher?
Larger wings, other wingform, bigger motor something else? Do you have to change the whole construction of the plane?
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Sign up to join this communityHow would I have to modify the Piper PA-28 to fly at 25,000 feet (same as PA-34 and PA-46)? Could it fly higher?
Larger wings, other wingform, bigger motor something else? Do you have to change the whole construction of the plane?
The Turbo Dakota (PA-28-201T) is very close to what you seem to be describing and is likely much less expensive to buy outright vs. the time and materials required to modify a lowly PA-28-1xx. The published ceiling is FL200 with its TSIO-360 but at light weights* I'm sure a determined pilot could coax it to FL230 or FL250.
So, the answer is: a big TSIO engine. The 260hp TSIO-470-B (only TSIO-470 made to my knowledge) would probably do the trick. A TSIO-520 has taken me to FL250 in a T210 so I know it would probably take a Cherokee at least that high assuming that you successfully attach the engine to the plane (approvals, engineering, mechanical, W&B, etc).
*The Dakota is one of the few small single engine planes with a gross weight of more than twice its empty weight leaving plenty of wiggle room for a pilot seeking to extract better than book performance from the plane.
**Answer assumes you have an O2 system that will do the job at FL250.
One of the biggest drivers is here would be the supplemental oxygen system aboard the aircraft. Currently a PA 28 is not certified for high-altitude operations i.e. flight above FL260, though existing turbo normalizing STC kits would physically allow the aircraft to fly higher. Treading into the death zone requires pressure breathing oxygen systems to live. There are also additional requirements for avionics and systems needed for high altitude flight eg DMEs, altimeters rated for operation near or in the tropopause, etc. A Piper Archer was just never intended to tread that high