Cessna 177 Cardinal vs Piper PA-34 Seneca

ASupport aircraft

Piper PA-34 Seneca

twin-engined light aircraft ,

First system

Second system

At a glance

Side by side

Length comparisonOne shared metre scale

Cessna 177 CardinalCessna 177B · Length

8.43 m

Length source ↗

Piper PA-34 SenecaPA-34-220T Seneca V · Length

8.72 m

Length source ↗

Lengths retain their source configuration and measurement scope.

Measured figures

Head to head

18 of 29 rows sourced on both sides

8.43mCessna 177B · Length

8.72mPA-34-220T Seneca V · Length

LengthScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

8.43 m

Cessna 177B · Length

Single source

27 ft 8 in (8.43 m)^[source]

8.72 m

PA-34-220T Seneca V · Length

Single source

28 ft 7.44 in (8.72 m)^[source]

10.82mCessna 177B · Wingspan

11.86mPA-34-220T Seneca V · Wingspan

WingspanScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

10.82 m

Cessna 177B · Wingspan

Single source

35 ft 6 in (10.82 m)^[source]

11.86 m

PA-34-220T Seneca V · Wingspan

Single source

38 ft 10.87 in (11.86 m)^[source]

2.62mCessna 177B · Height

3.02mPA-34-220T Seneca V · Height

HeightScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

2.62 m

Cessna 177B · Height

Single source

8 ft 7 in (2.62 m)^[source]

3.02 m

PA-34-220T Seneca V · Height

Single source

9 ft 10.8 in (3.02 m)^[source]

1.1t

2.2t

MassScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

678 kg

Empty; Cessna 177B · Empty weight

Single source

1,134 kg

Maximum take-off; Cessna 177B · Max takeoff weight

Single source

1,495 lb (678 kg)^[source]

2,500 lb (1,134 kg)^[source]

1,457 kg

Empty; PA-34-220T Seneca V · Empty weight

Single source

2,165 kg

Gross; PA-34-220T Seneca V · Gross weight

Single source

2,155 kg

Maximum take-off; PA-34-220T Seneca V · Max takeoff weight

Single source

3,212 lb (1,457 kg)^[source]

4,773 lb (2,165 kg)^[source]

4,750 lb (2,155 kg)^[source]

1Cessna 177B · Crew

One

Crew

All recorded figures & sources

1 people

Cessna 177B · Crew

Single source

1^[source]

One^[source]

252km/hMaximum; Cessna 177B · Maximum speed

378km/h

SpeedScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

230 km/h

Cruise; Cessna 177B · Cruise speed

Single source

252 km/h

Maximum; Cessna 177B · Maximum speed

Single source

136 kn (157 mph, 252 km/h)^[source]

124 kn (143 mph, 230 km/h)^[source]

348 km/h

Cruise; PA-34-220T Seneca V · econ cruise at 25,000 ft (7,600 m)

Single source

378 km/h

Maximum; PA-34-220T Seneca V · at 23,000 ft (7,000 m)

Single source

204 kn (235 mph, 378 km/h) at 23,000 ft (7,000 m)^[source]

188 kn (216 mph, 348 km/h) econ cruise at 25,000 ft (7,600 m)^[source]

1,119kmCessna 177B · Range

1,611km

RangeScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

1,119 km

Cessna 177B · Range

Single source

604 nmi (695 mi, 1,119 km)^[source]

1,611 km

PA-34-220T Seneca V · max fuel, econ cruise at 18,000 ft (5,500 m), no reserves

Single source

870 nmi (1,000 mi, 1,611 km) max fuel, econ cruise at 18,000 ft (5,500 m), no reserves^[source]

130kW

164kW

PowerScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

130 kW

Cessna 177B · 1 × Lycoming O-360 -A1F6D air-cooled flat-4 engine

Single source

1 × Lycoming O-360 -A1F6D air-cooled flat-4 engine , 180 hp (130 kW)^[source]

164 kW

PA-34-220T Seneca V · 2 × Continental TSIO-360RB and LTSIO-360RB 6-cylinder, air-cooled, horizontally-opposed piston engine each

Single source

2 × Continental TSIO-360RB and LTSIO-360RB 6-cylinder, air-cooled, horizontally-opposed piston engine , 220 hp (164 kW) each^[source]

16.2m²Cessna 177B · Wing area

19.4m²PA-34-220T Seneca V · Wing area

Wing areaScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

16.2 m²

Cessna 177B · Wing area

Single source

174 sq ft (16.2 m 2 )^[source]

19.39 m²

PA-34-220T Seneca V · Wing area

Single source

208.7 sq ft (19.39 m 2 )^[source]

4,500mCessna 177B · Service ceiling

7,620mPA-34-220T Seneca V · Service ceiling

Service ceilingScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

4,500 m

Cessna 177B · Service ceiling

Single source

14,600 ft (4,500 m)^[source]

7,620 m

PA-34-220T Seneca V · Service ceiling

Single source

25,000 ft (7,620 m)^[source]

4.3m/sCessna 177B · 840 ft/min (

7.9m/sPA-34-220T Seneca V · 1,550 ft/min (

Rate of climbScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

4.3 m/s

Cessna 177B · 840 ft/min (

Single source

840 ft/min (4.3 m/s)^[source]

7.87 m/s

PA-34-220T Seneca V · 1,550 ft/min (

Single source

1,550 ft/min (7.87 m/s)^[source]

Bars compare reported quantities only. A larger figure does not make a system better; configurations and test conditions differ.

Configuration

Details

Cessna 177 Cardinal and Piper PA-34 Seneca configuration
Specification	Cessna 177 Cardinal	Piper PA-34 Seneca
Type	Light utility aircraft^[source]	Business and personal aircraft^[source]
Manufacturer	Cessna Aircraft Company^[source]	Piper Aircraft^[source]
Number built	4,295^[source]	5,037^[source]
Manufactured	1968–1978^[source]	1971–2019^[source]
Introduction date	1968^[source]	1971^[source]
First flight	July 15, 1966^[source]	25 April 1967^[source]
Capacity	3 passengers^[source]	Five or six passengers^[source]
National origin	—	United States^[source]
Developed from	—	Piper Cherokee Six^[source]
Variant	—	PZL M-20 Mewa^[source]
Airfoil	—	laminar flow NACA 652-415^[source]
Stall speed	—	61 kn (70 mph, 113 km/h) wheels and flaps down^[source]
Never exceed speed	—	204 kn (235 mph, 378 km/h)^[source]
Wing loading	—	21.2 lb/sq ft (104 kg/m 2 )^[source]
Power/mass	—	0.1 hp/lb (164 W/kg)^[source]
Role	—	twin-engined light aircraft ,^[source]
Source measurement	—	With the decision to abandon the three-engined design tested on the PA-32-3M, the PA-34 was developed as a twin-engined aircraft. The prototype PA-34-180 Twin Six, registered as N3401K , first flew on 25 April 1967. The prototype had two 180 hp (134 kW) Lycoming O-360 engines, a fixed nosewheel landing gear and a Cherokee Six vertical tail. The second prototype flew on 30 August 1968, still with the 180 hp (134 kW) Lycomings but had retractable landing gear and a taller vertical tail. During development flying the wingspan was increased by two feet. The third prototype was closer to the production standard and flew on 20 October 1969; it was fitted with 200 hp (149 kW) Lycoming IO-360-A1A engines.^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Development / PA-34-180 Twin Six; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The early Seneca models have a maximum gross weight of 4,000 lb (1,810 kg), while later serial numbers allowed a takeoff weight of 4,200 lb (1,910 kg).^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Development / PA-34-200 Seneca; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Gross weights are 4,570 lb (2,070 kg) for takeoff and 4,342 lb (1,969 kg) for landing, with all weight in excess of 4,000 lb (1,800 kg) required to be fuel.^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Development / PA-34-200T Seneca II; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The change in model designation reflected an engine upgrade. Continental TSIO-360-KB engines were used which produced 220 horsepower (165 kW), although only rated as such for five minutes and then dropping to 200 hp (149 kW).^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Development / PA-34-220T Seneca III; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The horsepower increase, with the new engines limit of 2800 rpm (up from 2575 rpm), combined for much improved climb and cruise performance. The new aircraft also incorporated a one-piece windshield and a bare metal instrument panel instead of one covered with a removable plastic fascia. Because of the raised zero-fuel weight and the raised maximum take-off weight, the Seneca III has the highest useful load of all the PA-34 variants. Some later models have electrically actuated flaps. More than 930 Seneca IIIs were built; the last 37 Seneca IIIs built had a 28-volt electrical system rather than the 14-volt system of previous aircraft.^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Development / PA-34-220T Seneca III; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The aircraft's gross weight was increased to 4,750 lb (2,155 kg) for takeoff and 4,513 lb (2,047 kg) for landing. A typical Seneca III with air conditioning and deicing equipment has a useful load of 1,377 lb (625 kg).^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Development / PA-34-220T Seneca III; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The Seneca V's gross weights remain the same as the Seneca III and IV at 4,750 lb (2,155 kg) for takeoff and 4,513 lb (2,047 kg) for landing, therefore, with all of the added features, the useful load is reduced by about 200 lb (91 kg). The standard useful load for the 2014 model is 1,331 lb (604 kg) but typically is 1,134 lb (514 kg) when the aircraft is equipped with air conditioning, deicing equipment and co-pilot instruments.^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Development / PA-34-220T Seneca V; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage From 1975 the Seneca was built under licence in Brazil by Embraer as the EMB-810. The PA-34-200T was produced as the EMB-810C Seneca (452 built) and the PA-34-220T as the EMB-810D (228 built). The EMB-810C is designated U-7 in Brazilian Air Force service.^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Development / Embraer EMB-810 Seneca; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage On 2 August 1978 a Seneca carrying Richard D. Obenshain home from an election campaign event crashed while attempting a night-time landing at the Chesterfield County Airport (a general aviation airport near Richmond, Virginia ), killing Obenshain and the other two people on board.^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Notable accidents and incidents; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Capacity: Five or six passengers^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Specifications (PA-34-220T Seneca V); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Length: 28 ft 7.44 in (8.72 m)^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Specifications (PA-34-220T Seneca V); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Wingspan: 38 ft 10.87 in (11.86 m)^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Specifications (PA-34-220T Seneca V); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Height: 9 ft 10.8 in (3.02 m)^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Specifications (PA-34-220T Seneca V); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Wing area: 208.7 sq ft (19.39 m 2 )^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Specifications (PA-34-220T Seneca V); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Empty weight: 3,212 lb (1,457 kg)^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Specifications (PA-34-220T Seneca V); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Gross weight: 4,773 lb (2,165 kg)^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Specifications (PA-34-220T Seneca V); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Max takeoff weight: 4,750 lb (2,155 kg)^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Specifications (PA-34-220T Seneca V); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Powerplant: 2 × Continental TSIO-360RB and LTSIO-360RB 6-cylinder, air-cooled, horizontally-opposed piston engine , 220 hp (164 kW) each^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Specifications (PA-34-220T Seneca V); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Maximum speed: 204 kn (235 mph, 378 km/h) at 23,000 ft (7,000 m)^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Specifications (PA-34-220T Seneca V); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Cruise speed: 188 kn (216 mph, 348 km/h) econ cruise at 25,000 ft (7,600 m)^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Specifications (PA-34-220T Seneca V); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Stall speed: 61 kn (70 mph, 113 km/h) wheels and flaps down^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Specifications (PA-34-220T Seneca V); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Never exceed speed : 204 kn (235 mph, 378 km/h)^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Specifications (PA-34-220T Seneca V); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Range: 870 nmi (1,000 mi, 1,611 km) max fuel, econ cruise at 18,000 ft (5,500 m), no reserves^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Specifications (PA-34-220T Seneca V); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Service ceiling: 25,000 ft (7,620 m)^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Specifications (PA-34-220T Seneca V); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Rate of climb: 1,550 ft/min (7.87 m/s)^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Specifications (PA-34-220T Seneca V); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Country of origin	—	United States^[source]Inventory Origin column; table 8, row 10, cell 2; revision 1377816881; retrieved 2026-10-01

FORCETALLY

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Cessna 177 Cardinal

Piper PA-34 Seneca

Type

Light utility aircraft^[source]

Business and personal aircraft^[source]

Manufacturer

Cessna Aircraft Company^[source]

Piper Aircraft^[source]

Number built

4,295^[source]

5,037^[source]

Manufactured

1968–1978^[source]

1971–2019^[source]

Introduction date

1968^[source]

1971^[source]

First flight

July 15, 1966^[source]

25 April 1967^[source]

Capacity

3 passengers^[source]

Five or six passengers^[source]

National origin

—

United States^[source]

Developed from

—

Piper Cherokee Six^[source]

Variant

—

PZL M-20 Mewa^[source]

Airfoil

—

laminar flow NACA 652-415^[source]

Stall speed

—

61 kn (70 mph, 113 km/h) wheels and flaps down^[source]

Never exceed speed

—

204 kn (235 mph, 378 km/h)^[source]

Wing loading

—

21.2 lb/sq ft (104 kg/m 2 )^[source]

Power/mass

—

0.1 hp/lb (164 W/kg)^[source]

Role

—

twin-engined light aircraft ,^[source]

Source measurement

—

With the decision to abandon the three-engined design tested on the PA-32-3M, the PA-34 was developed as a twin-engined aircraft. The prototype PA-34-180 Twin Six, registered as N3401K , first flew on 25 April 1967. The prototype had two 180 hp (134 kW) Lycoming O-360 engines, a fixed nosewheel landing gear and a Cherokee Six vertical tail. The second prototype flew on 30 August 1968, still with the 180 hp (134 kW) Lycomings but had retractable landing gear and a taller vertical tail. During development flying the wingspan was increased by two feet. The third prototype was closer to the production standard and flew on 20 October 1969; it was fitted with 200 hp (149 kW) Lycoming IO-360-A1A engines.^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Development / PA-34-180 Twin Six; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The early Seneca models have a maximum gross weight of 4,000 lb (1,810 kg), while later serial numbers allowed a takeoff weight of 4,200 lb (1,910 kg).^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Development / PA-34-200 Seneca; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Gross weights are 4,570 lb (2,070 kg) for takeoff and 4,342 lb (1,969 kg) for landing, with all weight in excess of 4,000 lb (1,800 kg) required to be fuel.^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Development / PA-34-200T Seneca II; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The change in model designation reflected an engine upgrade. Continental TSIO-360-KB engines were used which produced 220 horsepower (165 kW), although only rated as such for five minutes and then dropping to 200 hp (149 kW).^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Development / PA-34-220T Seneca III; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The horsepower increase, with the new engines limit of 2800 rpm (up from 2575 rpm), combined for much improved climb and cruise performance. The new aircraft also incorporated a one-piece windshield and a bare metal instrument panel instead of one covered with a removable plastic fascia. Because of the raised zero-fuel weight and the raised maximum take-off weight, the Seneca III has the highest useful load of all the PA-34 variants. Some later models have electrically actuated flaps. More than 930 Seneca IIIs were built; the last 37 Seneca IIIs built had a 28-volt electrical system rather than the 14-volt system of previous aircraft.^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Development / PA-34-220T Seneca III; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The aircraft's gross weight was increased to 4,750 lb (2,155 kg) for takeoff and 4,513 lb (2,047 kg) for landing. A typical Seneca III with air conditioning and deicing equipment has a useful load of 1,377 lb (625 kg).^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Development / PA-34-220T Seneca III; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The Seneca V's gross weights remain the same as the Seneca III and IV at 4,750 lb (2,155 kg) for takeoff and 4,513 lb (2,047 kg) for landing, therefore, with all of the added features, the useful load is reduced by about 200 lb (91 kg). The standard useful load for the 2014 model is 1,331 lb (604 kg) but typically is 1,134 lb (514 kg) when the aircraft is equipped with air conditioning, deicing equipment and co-pilot instruments.^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Development / PA-34-220T Seneca V; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

From 1975 the Seneca was built under licence in Brazil by Embraer as the EMB-810. The PA-34-200T was produced as the EMB-810C Seneca (452 built) and the PA-34-220T as the EMB-810D (228 built). The EMB-810C is designated U-7 in Brazilian Air Force service.^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Development / Embraer EMB-810 Seneca; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

On 2 August 1978 a Seneca carrying Richard D. Obenshain home from an election campaign event crashed while attempting a night-time landing at the Chesterfield County Airport (a general aviation airport near Richmond, Virginia ), killing Obenshain and the other two people on board.^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Notable accidents and incidents; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Capacity: Five or six passengers^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Specifications (PA-34-220T Seneca V); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Length: 28 ft 7.44 in (8.72 m)^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Specifications (PA-34-220T Seneca V); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Wingspan: 38 ft 10.87 in (11.86 m)^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Specifications (PA-34-220T Seneca V); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Height: 9 ft 10.8 in (3.02 m)^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Specifications (PA-34-220T Seneca V); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Wing area: 208.7 sq ft (19.39 m 2 )^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Specifications (PA-34-220T Seneca V); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Empty weight: 3,212 lb (1,457 kg)^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Specifications (PA-34-220T Seneca V); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Gross weight: 4,773 lb (2,165 kg)^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Specifications (PA-34-220T Seneca V); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Max takeoff weight: 4,750 lb (2,155 kg)^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Specifications (PA-34-220T Seneca V); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Powerplant: 2 × Continental TSIO-360RB and LTSIO-360RB 6-cylinder, air-cooled, horizontally-opposed piston engine , 220 hp (164 kW) each^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Specifications (PA-34-220T Seneca V); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Maximum speed: 204 kn (235 mph, 378 km/h) at 23,000 ft (7,000 m)^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Specifications (PA-34-220T Seneca V); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Cruise speed: 188 kn (216 mph, 348 km/h) econ cruise at 25,000 ft (7,600 m)^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Specifications (PA-34-220T Seneca V); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Stall speed: 61 kn (70 mph, 113 km/h) wheels and flaps down^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Specifications (PA-34-220T Seneca V); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Never exceed speed : 204 kn (235 mph, 378 km/h)^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Specifications (PA-34-220T Seneca V); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Range: 870 nmi (1,000 mi, 1,611 km) max fuel, econ cruise at 18,000 ft (5,500 m), no reserves^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Specifications (PA-34-220T Seneca V); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Service ceiling: 25,000 ft (7,620 m)^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Specifications (PA-34-220T Seneca V); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Rate of climb: 1,550 ft/min (7.87 m/s)^[source]Piper PA-34 Seneca · Specifications (PA-34-220T Seneca V); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Country of origin

—

United States^[source]Inventory Origin column; table 8, row 10, cell 2; revision 1377816881; retrieved 2026-10-01