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Piper Seneca

In our view, the Seneca is an entirely reasonable airplane. That, more than anything, may explain why it endures in Pipers line, although the latest Seneca V is far more complex than the original Seneca I. The Seneca V is one of only five twins still in production-the others being the Baron, Pipers own Seminole, the Diamond Twin Star, plus the Tecnam P2006T.

As we have reported in previous used aircraft articles, used piston twins are generally good deals in the current sales market. The Beech Baron, Travel Air, Piper Aztec and even the Beech Duke are all examples. On the other hand, for various reasons, the market for new piston twins remains relatively flat, and there are few models for the taking. Piper builds two of them, the Seminole and the Seneca. Both have endured for various reasons, although neither is made in much volume these days.

It’s easy to see why the Seneca has endured. Arguably, it does nothing extraordinarily well—it’s not exceptionally fast or a joy to fly, nor will it turn heads on the ramp—but it does a lot we’ll enough.