HISTORY OF G-ATOO
Photograph of G-ATOO (May 1969)
This is a brief history of a Piper Cherokee 140, who's "been around a bit". She was born in the United States at the Piper Aircraft Corporation in 1966.
G-ATOO was imported into Great Britain in February 1966 by C.S.E. Aviation based in Oxfordshire. The photograph pictured above was taken at Booker airfield while in their ownership.
After only one month's ownership, Rimmer Aviation of Fairoaks sold the little PA28 to Captain H.L. Gray-Cheape of London who passed her on to Glamorgan Flying Club in July 1973.
However, it is noteworthy that Captain Gray-Cheape was Equerry and bodyguard to Her Majesty the Queen during this period, and his entry in Burke's Peerage appears below:
The Genealogy Register
GRAY-CHEAPE OF CARSE GRAY
CAPT HAMISH LESLIE, GRAY-CHEAPE OF CARSE GRAY, J.P.Warwickshire (1985), DL (1990), High Sheriff (1984), Gren Gds 1961-71, temp. Extra Equerry to HM THE QUEEN 1968-70, memb The Queen's Bodyguard for Scotland, Roy Co of Archers, 1972 ; born 18 March, 1942; educ Eton; m 6 Oct 1965, •Fiona Mariella, only dau of Brig Sir Harry Ripley Mackeson, 1st Bt, late The Roy Scots Greys (see BURKE’s PEERAGE & BARONETAGE 1999 edn), and has issue,
Lineage-ANDREW GRAY, of Balbunnoch, had issue,
Record Type(s): Landed Gentry
1966 CHEROKEE PA28-140
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine make/model: Lycoming O320-E2A
Horsepower@rpm@altitude: 150@2700@SL
Horsepower for takeoff: 150
TBO: 2000
Fuel type: 100/100LL
Propeller type/diameter (in.): Sensenich Fixed / 74
Landing gear type: Tri/Fixed
Max ramp weight (lbs.): 2150
Gross weight (lbs.): 2150
Landing weight (lbs.): 2150
Std. empty weight (lbs.): 1230
Useful load - std. (lbs.): 920
Payload - full std. fuel (lbs.): 632
Usable fuel - std. (gals.): 48
Oil capacity (qts.): 8
Wingspan (ft.): 30
Overall length: 23 ft. 3 in.
Height: 7 ft. 3 in.
Wing area (sq. ft.): 160
Wing loading (lbs./sq. ft.): 13.4
Power loading (lbs./hp): 14.3
Wheel base: 6 ft. 2 in.
Wheel track (ft.): 10
Wheel size (in.): 6.00 x 6
Seating capacity: 2+2
Cabin doors: 1
Cabin width (in.): 42
Baggage capacity (lbs.): 200
PERFORMANCE
Cruise speed (knots): ALTITUDE SPEED
75% power: 7800 115
65% power: 10,200 108
55% power: 12,000 102
Max range (with reserve) (nm):
75% power: 470
65% power: 522
55% power: 583
Fuel consumption (gph):
75% power: 8.4
65% power: 7.3
55% power: 6.2
Estimated endurance (65%) (hrs.): 5.5
Stall speed (flaps up) (kts.): 52
Stall speed (flaps down) (kts.): 48
Best rate of climb SL(fpm): 660
Best rate of climb, 8000ft. (fpm): 350
Service ceiling (ft.) 14,300
Takeoff ground roll (ft.): 800
Takeoff over 50-ft. obstacle (ft.): 1700
Landing ground roll (ft.): 495
Landing over 50-ft. obstacle (ft.): 850
[Copyright] Allied Law 2002