Cherokee 235 vs Trinidad vs Comanche

Kyle Boatright wrote:

"Matt Whiting" wrote in message
news

snip


So, Jay, tell us again how this is the best 4-place single ever? :-)
It looks better to me in only two categories, useful load and cheaper
purchase due to the lower appreciation over the years.


Matt


It all goes back to your mission.

I agree. Which is why I questioned Jay's original claim that the 235
was the all-time best four-place single.


For most of us East of the Rockies, a 200 lb increase in useful load has
more utility than a few knot increase in cruise speed, a higher ceiling (how
many of us have access to O2 systems, anyway?), and/or better short field
performance. A 1400 lb useful load vs 1200 lbs is a big deal, whereas 135
knots vs. 140 isn't...

It isn't 200 lbs more, and only for a few models of the 235. One data
set published showed the 182 with slightly more useful load. And the
load has to be useful. I wonder how many times a 235 is actually loaded
to gross. I had only a few occasions where my Skylane was at gross. If
you can't reasonably fit the load into the airplane, was is its benefit?
I live well East of the Rockies and fly into a lot of short, grass
fields (well fewer now as my local field was paved last year) and I'd
much rather than the takeoff and climb performance.


Matt