The Piper PA-36 Pawnee Brave was designed and built by Piper Aircraft during the 1970s as a low-wing, single-engine, propeller-driven agricultural aircraft developed from the PA-25 Pawnee. It performed its maiden flight in December 1969 and was introduced in 1973. The PA-36 was produced from 1973 to 1981 with a total of 938 aircraft built.
On December 5, 1969, the prototype designated as PA-36 Pawnee II took to the air for the first time. It was powered by a 260 horsepower Lycoming engine. In 1972, the Piper PA-36 was initially introduced as an improved version of the PA-25 Pawnee fitted with an uprated Continental Tiara 6-285 horizontally-opposed engine of 285 horsepower.
It featured a new wing with detachable leading edges, enhanced ventilation system and heating system, as well as Safoam anti-sloshing compounds, and a 0.85 cubic meter enlarged standard hopper.
In 1973, the PA-36 entered into service. The initial version of the aircraft was designated as the PA-36 Pawnee Brave 285. In 1977, a newer variant designated as PA-36 Pawnee Brave 300 was built. It was powered by a normally-aspirated Lycoming IO-540-K1G5 engine rated at 300 horsepower. In 1978, the PA-36 Brave 375 was built.
It was powered by a Lycoming IO-720-D1CD horizontally-opposed eight-cylinder piston engine rated at 375 horsepower. In 1982, two versions were built designated as the New Brave 375 and New Brave 400. These were WTA-built versions powered by 375 horsepower and 400 horsepower engines, respectively. In 1987, a total of 150 New Braves were built.
The Piper PA-36 Pawnee Brave is a single-seat agricultural aircraft with an external length of 8.38 meters, an external height of 1.85 meters, and a fuselage diameter of 1.1 meters. It featured a low wing with a wingspan of 11.82 meters and a wing area of 20.96 square meters. It has a tail height of 2.29 meters and a wheelbase of 5.9 meters. The aircraft has an empty weight of 1,118 kg, a maximum takeoff weight of 2,177 kg, and a maximum payload of 1,000 kg. The usable fuel capacity is 86 US gal.
The aircraft has a maximum speed of 123 knots and a cruise speed of 118 knots. The travel range is 393 nautical miles. It can fly up to 15,000 feet and can climb at a rate of 920 feet per minute. The takeoff and landing distances are 460 meters and 440 meters, respectively.
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