It is a low-winged unpressurized aircraft. Flights in known icing conditions are forbidden. Its airframe underwent some modifications to acommodate intruments dedicated to atmospheric research. The main one is the installation of a deiced instrumented nose boom 1.30m long. Pressure, temperature and relative humidity sensors mounted on this boom are inside a somewhat less undisturbed airflow. A floor hatch is used to drop probes or as specific instruments mounting point.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

  Constructor : Piper Aircraft Corp.
  Type PA23-250
  length 9.2 m, wingspan 11.3m
  Standart crew: 1 pilot, 1 flight engineer

PERFORMANCES

  Max altitude : 4000m
  Max take-off weight : 2177kg
  Max landing weight : 2177kg
  Endurance : 5 hours
  Range : 1400km
  Practical cruise speed : 250km/h

TECHNICAL DATAS

  Engines: 2xLycoming IO 540 C1B5 each of 250cv, two bladed regulated propellers.
  Electrical power supply : 2x28V alternators each of 60A. Moreover, converters were added to the electrical installation to supply 115V/400Hz and 220V/50Hz.