Introduction

 
The real Seneca II

This is a model of a Piper PA34-200T Seneneca II. The Seneca is made by Piper since the early 1970's and some 4500 were made since then. It has six seats in a pretty large cabin, two turbocharged counterrotating engines producing 200hp up to 12,000 ft. It cruises at 170ktas in 12,000ft at 65% power. Certification for flights into known icing conditions and the nice single engine behaviour made the Seneca a popular multi engine trainer.

The model was built using the Pilots Operating Handbook, a real Seneca (D-GEJL) and some flight performance data derived in real flights.
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General

Engines

Number of Engines 2
Engine Manufacturer Continental
Engine Model Number (L)TSIO-360EB
Rated Horsepower Sea Lever: 200, 12,000ft.: 215
Rated Speed (rpm) 2575
Bore (inches) 4.438
Stroke (inches) 3.875
Displacement (cubic inches) 360
Compression Ratio 7.5:1
Engine Type Six Cylinder, Direct Drive, Horizontally Opposed, Air Cooled

Propellers

Number of Propellers 2
Propeller Manufacturer Hartzell
Number of Blades 2
Propeller Diameter Maximum: 76 inches, Minimum: 75 inches
Propeller Type Constant Speed, Hydraulically Actuated, Full Feathering

Fuel

Fuel Capacity (U.S.gal) (total) 128
Usable Fuel (U.S.gal) (total) 123
Minumum Grade 100 Green or 100LL Blue Aviation Grade

Oil

Oil Capacity (U.S.quarts) (per engine) 8

Maximum Weights

Maximum Takeoff Weight (lbs) 4570
Maximum Landing Weight (lbs) 4362
Maximum Zero Fuel Weight (lbs) - Standard 4000
Maximum Weight in Baggage Compartment (lbs) Forward: 100, Aft: 100

Standard Airplane Weights

Standard Empty Weight (lbs): Weight of a standard airplane including unusable fuel, full operating fluids and full oil. 2823
Maximum Useful Load (lbs): The difference between the Maximum Takeoff Weight and the Standard Empty Weight. (All weight in excess off 4000lbs must consist of fuel) 1747

Specific Loadings

Wing Loading (lbs per sq ft) 22
Power Loading (lbs per hp) Sea Level: 11.4 - 12,000ft: 10.6

Limitations

Airspeed Limitations

Speed KIAS KCAS
Never Exceed Speed (VNE) - Do not exceed this speed in any operation 195 195
Maximum Structural Cruising Speed (VNO) - Do not exceed this speed except in smooth air and then only with caution. 163 165
Design Maneuvering Speed (VA) - Do not make full or abrupt control movements above this speed.    
At 4570 LBS G.W. 136 138
At 3068 LBS G.W. 121 122

CAUTION

Maneuvering speed decreases at lighter weight as the effects of aerodynamic forces become more pronounced. Linear interpolation may be used for imtermediate gross weights. maneuvering speed should not be exceeded while operating in rough air.

Maximum Flaps Extended Speed (VFE) - Do not exceed this speed with flaps extended. 107 109
Maximum Gear Extended Speed (VLE) - Do not exceed this speed with landing gear extended 129 130
Maximum Landing Gear Extending Speed (VLO) - Do not extend landing gear above this speed 129 130
Maximum Landing Gear Retracting Speed (VLO) - Do not retract landing gear above this speed 107 109
Air Minimum Control Speed (VMC) - Lowes airspeed at which airplane is controllable with one engine operating and no flaps 66 69
Best Single Engine Rate of Climb Speed 89 90

Airspeed Indicator Markings

Power Plang Limitations

Power Plant Instrument Markings

Center of Gravity Limits

Maneuver Limits

Flight Load Factor Limits

Types of Operations

Fuel Limitations

Gyro Pressuer Limits

Flight Into Known Icing Conditions

Operating Altitude Limitations

Development status/Issues/Todo

FDM (JSBSim):

  • poor single engine performance
  • no EGT indication - EGT is to low
  • supercharger code not realistic on low rpm
  • fuel source not switchable or cuttable

FDM (YASim)

  • not converging

Electrical system

  • Master switch no electrical function
  • Generator L/H and R/H produce the same output when on

Autopilot

  • Just interfacing the generic AP, Altimatic IIIC not implemented
  • LOC NORM and LOC REV not implemented
  • ILS not implemented

Avionics

  • GMA340: on some buttons, the first click after program start gets lost

General:

  • engine sound in cockpit does not differ from outside engine sound
  • animations of structural icing on wings, stabilizer, fin, etc.missing

External links

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Aircraft

Aircraft Todo