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Piper Seneca

That’s a Seneca V in the lead photo. These later Senecas are easy to spot over earlier ones, with three-blade propellers, cowlings with round intakes and one-piece windshields with “hot plate” de-ice.

For those stepping into the world of multi-engine airplanes, the Piper Seneca remains a popular twin for a few reasons. Flight schools tend to like  Seneca I models because they are relatively inexpensive to maintain thanks to simple systems and reliable Lycoming IO-360 powerplants. Plus for students coming out of PA-28 models (especially the Arrow), the Seneca cockpit should be familiar. 

For ownership, later-model Senecas are appealing because they move along at decent speeds (although they’re far from blistering fast) and have somewhat luxurious cabins. In a sales market where prices for piston twins haven’t really skyrocketed like piston singles, the venerable Seneca remains a strong seller. Here’s a refresh.