With an Avidyne glass panel, the 6X brings the Cherokee Six to state of the art. Load carrying and comfort are excellent but we pine for electrical back-up.

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by Rick Durden

Are things really improving in the general aviation market or is the current bump in sales just an illusion? One indication that airplane makers are bullish is an emerging focus on the six-place market. Until recently, a buyer seeking a new, six-place airplane with fixed gear had only one issue to resolve: want a turbocharger in a Cessna 206 or not?

But during the last year, Gippsland has certified its utilitarian and impressive Airvan (see Aviation Consumer, November 2002) and New Piper has just brought back the Saratoga which, possibly to show respect for its line age, it now calls the 6X or, technically, the PA-32-301FT. This is a…