Aircraft libraryPiper PA-42 Cheyenne III
Piper PA-42 Cheyenne IIITomás Del Coro from Las Vegas, Nevada, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0 · N690TW 1984 Piper PA-42-720 Cheyenne IIIA cn 42-5501026.

Piper PA-42 Cheyenne III

Piper's pressurised PA-42 twin turboprop, represented with passenger and medevac cabins.
Turboprop1 profile choices

Know the plane

The PA-42 Cheyenne III is a pressurised business twin powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-41 engines. Propair Flight describes 720 shaft horsepower per engine, hydraulic landing gear with emergency backup, pneumatic airframe de-icing and engine and propeller ice protection.

Piper PA-42 Cheyenne III

Engines
Two PT6A-41 turboprops↗
Engine power
720 shp each↗
Developer-stated maximum operating speed
246 KCAS↗

More about this aircraft on AirframeDB

Piper moves into the larger turboprop cabin

Piper unveiled the PA-42 Cheyenne III in 1977 to compete in the King Air 200 market. A longer fuselage, greater span, 720-shaft-horsepower PT6A-41 engines and a T-tail distinguished it from the smaller Cheyenne II. The first flight followed in May 1979, with certification and deliveries in 1980.

The improved IIIA arrived in 1983 with PT6A-61 engines and changes to electrical, air-conditioning and fuel-control systems. That distinction matters when reading performance tables: the IIIA's high-altitude capability is not automatically a Cheyenne III specification.

Public sources 3
  1. PropairFlight Cheyenne III + SkyPass Type Rating BundlePA-42 Cheyenne III · product description and included MSFS editions
  2. Piper PA-42-720 Advanced Trainer Maintenance Manual — chapter 27Chapter 27-00-00, page 1 · PA-42-720 IIIA Advanced Trainer, effectivity 040–999
  3. Quick Look: Cheyenne III/IIIAAOPA Quick Look, April 2014; explicit III/IIIA development comparison.

How the profile models it

Piper PA-42 Cheyenne III

Free + Pro
MSFS 2020MSFS 2024Propair Flight

The PA-42 Cheyenne III is a pressurised business twin powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-41 engines. Propair Flight describes 720 shaft horsepower per engine, hydraulic landing gear with emergency backup, pneumatic airframe de-icing and engine and propeller ice protection.

Propair Flight offers passenger and medevac cabins, with G1000 and analog panels, for MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024.

The baseline spring is 0.74. The low-speed blend rises from 20 to 90 KIAS, while aerodynamic loading uses a 190-KIAS reference and 0.68 gain.

Pitch and roll trim relief use inherited authorities of 0.3 and 0.14. Continuous flap-motion and gear-motion textures each use a 0.12 gain; discrete flap-step and index-dependent flap buffet are off.

This exact revision has not been enabled for public installation.

Controls and trim

Piper’s related PA-42-720 IIIA maintenance chapter describes conventional columns, cables and linkages, with pedestal aileron, elevator and rudder trim. This profile retains a manual twin-turboprop estimate; exact Propair trim geometry and hand forces remain unmeasured.

Piper PA-42-720 Advanced Trainer Maintenance Manual — chapter 27

Equipment cues

Hydraulic landing gear, pneumatic de-icing and engine/propeller ice protection are listed by Propair Flight. Flap motion is represented from actual position changes. The add-on’s detent schedule has not been established, so discrete step, index-gated buffet and flap-drag cues are off.

PropairFlight Cheyenne III + SkyPass Type Rating BundlePiper PA-42-720 Advanced Trainer Maintenance Manual — chapter 27

Autopilot

The panel options do not establish an autopilot servo-demand interface. Autopilot follow, neutral hold and surface following are disabled.

PropairFlight Cheyenne III + SkyPass Type Rating Bundle

About the values

Gains are normalized profile estimates. Physical hand force depends on the device and its output limits. Indicated-speed references are tuning scales; physical acceptance of revision 2 remains pending.

Master gain & control system

Master gain85%

The final overall output scale applied to everything the model produces, before the device cap.

More: everything (spring, loads, effects) gets stronger together.

Less: everything softens together.

Why here: Scales overall profile strength while preserving effect balance, subject to device and output limits.

Forces

Spring strength74%

The base centring force that pulls the stick back to centre. Every other force stacks on it. Too low and the stick feels limp in normal flight; too high and it fights your hand and masks the smaller cues layered above it.

More: firmer centring that resists your hand at all times.

Less: a limper stick that leans on aerodynamic load alone.

Why here: The baseline spring is 0.74. The low-speed blend rises from 20 to 90 KIAS, while aerodynamic loading uses a 190-KIAS reference and 0.68 gain.

Spring deadband5%

A small neutral zone around centre where the spring stays quiet, so tiny movements at rest don't chatter. Wider is calmer but looser; narrower is more precise but can twitch around centre.

More: a calmer but looser centre with more free play.

Less: a tighter centre that may chatter at rest.

Why here: Sets travel around the centre before the baseline spring resists. Smaller values engage it sooner.

Overall aerodynamic load68%

A master scale over both sustained axis loads, applied before their independent balance. Profiles normally leave this alone and tune the two axis loads instead.

More: both axes load up harder.

Less: both axes lighten together.

Why here: The 0.68 aerodynamic-load gain uses an inherited 190-KIAS tuning reference. Neither value is a published Cheyenne hand-force measurement.

Airspeed blendingTrue

Enables the low-speed spring engagement window (start/full knots above). Off, the spring is constant at all speeds.

Why here: Allows baseline spring strength to rise with indicated airspeed where the control law permits it.

Low-speed spring floor55%

How much of the spring survives at a standstill, before airspeed can build any aerodynamic force. A high floor keeps the parked stick firm; a low floor gives the loose, cable-slack feel of a parked light aircraft.

More: a firmer stick while parked and taxiing.

Less: a floppier parked stick that only wakes up with airspeed.

Why here: Sets low-speed spring strength as a fraction of baseline when blending is enabled. One keeps full strength.

Spring engagement start20 kt

The airspeed where the spring begins climbing from its low-speed floor toward full strength: the controls "coming alive" on the takeoff roll.

Why here: Sets the IAS where the low-speed spring blend starts rising. This is a feel threshold, not a flight limit.

Spring engagement full90 kt

The airspeed where the spring reaches full strength. Between the start and this point, centring firms up progressively as airflow builds over the controls.

Why here: Sets the IAS where the low-speed blend reaches baseline strength; high-speed stiffening also uses it.

Force tuning speed190

The indicated airspeed where aerodynamic load reaches its designed full level. It anchors the whole load curve to the aircraft's real speed range: a 172 loads up by 110 knots, a jet much later.

More: loads arrive later; the stick stays light up to a higher speed.

Less: loads arrive earlier and cruise feels heavier.

Why here: The inherited 190-KIAS reference sets the aerodynamic load scale. Propair’s 246-KCAS maximum operating speed is a separate aircraft figure.

Centre firmness vs speed10%

How much the centring itself stiffens with speed, on top of the deflection loads. Zero keeps centre feel constant; more makes the stick centre harder at cruise and looser in the pattern.

More: a centre that hardens noticeably as you go faster.

Less: constant centre feel at every speed.

Why here: Adds permitted spring resistance above the full-blend speed. Zero removes this high-speed increase.

Centre stiffening cap5

The upper limit on speed-driven centre stiffening, so very fast flight can't wind the spring up without bound.

More: more total stiffening allowed at high speed.

Less: stiffening clamps off sooner.

Why here: Limits the squared airspeed ratio used for high-speed spring stiffening; it is not a device-force cap.

Aileron load72%

The sustained roll load from aileron deflection and airspeed, balanced independently of pitch. Together with the elevator load it sets the control-harmony ratio reviewers talk about.

More: heavier roll forces.

Less: lighter, quicker-feeling ailerons.

Why here: Scales roll aerodynamic loading. The separate roll spring curve also affects total axis balance.

Elevator load100%

The sustained pitch load from elevator deflection and airspeed, balanced independently of roll. This is the main lever behind a type's pitch weight. It does not touch aileron, spring, trim, or buffet forces.

More: heavier sustained pitch forces at speed.

Less: a lighter elevator that takes less muscle to hold.

Why here: Scales pitch aerodynamic loading; pitch spring travel and trim responses are separate settings.

Max output force55%

A cap on each steady pitch or roll force before it reaches the device, guarding against slamming or saturating the hardware in strong maneuvers.

More: stronger peak steady forces before clipping.

Less: a gentler ceiling; hard maneuvers flatten out sooner.

Why here: Caps directed-force output. Native spring effects and device limits remain separate.

Trim

Trim relief (elevator)30%

How strongly elevator trim relieves held pitch force and shifts where the stick settles. At 100%, a properly trimmed aircraft needs no held pressure, the trim-away-the-load workflow of real flying.

More: trim removes more of the held pitch force; at 100% full trim zeroes it.

Less: you keep holding force even when trimmed.

Why here: Pitch relief authority is 0.3; roll relief authority is 0.14. These retained estimates are not derived from measured Cheyenne trim-tab geometry.

Trim relief (aileron)14%

The same relief for roll trim. Most GA types have no real aileron trim, so this stays at zero; types with roll trim get a matching value.

More: roll trim removes more held roll force.

Less: roll trim does less.

Why here: Scales supported roll-trim relief and permitted centre movement. Zero removes roll response.

Effect gains · ground

Runway rumble42%

Rolling surface vibration from wheel speed and surface type: pavement, grass, or gravel under the gear.

More: louder surface texture through the stick.

Less: a smoother taxi.

Why here: Sets rolling texture strength, modified by speed, surface and undercarriage configuration.

Gear bumps32%

Short discrete bumps from expansion joints, ruts, and rough surface, punctuating the continuous rumble.

More: sharper hits from joints and ruts.

Less: softer ground detail.

Why here: Sets gear-bump texture during ground motion, separate from touchdown impact.

Effect gains · airframe

Stall buffet28%

Airframe shake approaching the stall and while the stall warning is active: how loudly this wing announces it is unhappy. Types with a crisp break get modest buffet and let the horn carry the warning.

More: a louder pre-stall shake.

Less: a quieter wing; the horn carries the warning.

Why here: Sets stall-buffet strength. Zero removes the cue without changing simulator stalls or warnings.

Mach buffet0%

Transonic buffet approaching the Mach limit. Meaningful for jets near MMO, zero for pistons and turboprops that never get there.

More: stronger transonic buffet near the Mach limit.

Less: a smoother high-Mach ride.

Why here: Sets high-Mach buffet strength; onset and full-strength thresholds are separate.

Flap buffet0%

Low-frequency airframe vibration with flaps extended into the airflow, in the speed window where they actually work the air.

More: a rougher ride with flaps working the air.

Less: smoother approach flap.

Why here: Flap buffet is off because the exact add-on position and speed schedule has not been established.

Gear buffet10%

Airframe drumming from retractable gear hanging in the airstream. Zero for fixed-gear types, where the airframe never changes shape.

More: more drumming with the wheels hanging out.

Less: cleaner gear-down flight.

Why here: Sets gear aerodynamic buffet; movement and ground-contact cues are separate.

Stick shaker50%

The dedicated stall stick-shaker buzz, fired by the aircraft's own stall-warning system. Only types with a real shaker get a value; everything else relies on aerodynamic buffet and the horn.

More: a harder stick-shaker buzz.

Less: a subtler shaker.

Why here: Sets triggered shaker strength; inactive while the shaker feature is disabled.

Effect gains · engine, mechanical & drag

Touchdown thump82%

The one-shot kick when the wheels meet the runway, scaled by sink rate: a greaser whispers, a firm arrival thumps.

More: a harder kick at touchdown.

Less: softer arrivals.

Why here: Sets landing-impact strength; landing telemetry and response shape determine the pulse.

Reverse rumble0%

Rollout vibration while reverse thrust or beta-range props are working. Zero for types without reverse.

More: a rougher rollout under reverse.

Less: quieter reverse.

Why here: Reverse-thrust vibration is off; a reverse-thrust telemetry mapping has not been qualified.

Engine rumble6%

Continuous powerplant vibration following RPM between idle and full power, the ever-present reminder that something is burning fuel up front.

More: more engine through the stick.

Less: a quieter powerplant.

Why here: Sets estimated engine vibration using configured telemetry and response, not measured cockpit vibration.

Flap motion12%

Continuous vibration only while the sim reports the flap surfaces actually travelling. It follows real actuator motion and failures, not an estimated timer.

More: more vibration while the flap surfaces travel.

Less: quieter flap runs.

Why here: The 0.12 gain supplies texture only during observed flap movement. It does not assign a flap detent or published extension speed.

Flap drag0%

The sustained pitch-force change from flap drag at airspeed. Extending flaps should change what your hand holds, not just make noise.

More: a bigger stick-load change when the flaps come out.

Less: less trim shift from flap.

Why here: This independently configured effect remains subject to valid simulator telemetry and bounded device output.

Flap detent click0%

The short mechanical click on each flap-handle detent. The handle, not the surfaces.

More: a sharper detent click.

Less: a fainter click.

Why here: The discrete flap-step cue is off pending review of the actual add-on detent schedule.

Autopilot follow

AP follow authority10%

How far autopilot commands may physically move the stick. Kept tiny in MSFS, where a moved axis can read back as pilot input; zero disables following entirely.

More: the autopilot visibly moves your stick further.

Less: a barely perceptible follow.

Why here: Sets admitted AP-follow gain, not a percentage of travel. Runtime ownership and input limits still apply.

Stick feel

StickFeel · Trim feel enabledTrue

Whether this feature is active in this profile.

Why here: Retained for compatibility and group membership. Trim relief, rather than this flag, controls centre movement.

StickFeel · Trim relief enabledTrue

Whether this feature is active in this profile.

Why here: Standard trim relief is enabled with valid telemetry. Its pitch/roll authorities remain inherited estimates; exact Propair trim range and sign await installed checks.

StickFeel · Force trim enabledFalse

Whether this feature is active in this profile.

Why here: Enables local force trim, separate from aircraft-owned trim and add-on integration qualification.

StickFeel · G load enabledTrue

Whether this feature is active in this profile.

Why here: Allows load-factor changes to modify permitted spring laws. Passive fly-by-wire feel can suppress it.

StickFeel · Rate damping enabledTrue

Whether this feature is active in this profile.

Why here: Enables rate damping with the configured coefficients and control law.

Autopilot

Autopilot · Follow enabledFalse

Whether this feature is active in this profile.

Why here: The panel options do not establish an autopilot servo-demand interface. Autopilot follow, neutral hold and surface following are disabled.

Autopilot · Neutral hold enabledFalse

Whether this feature is active in this profile.

Why here: Permits centering hold during a supported AP state, separate from following a moving target.

Autopilot · Neutral hold strength0.6

Why here: Sets admitted AP neutral-hold strength; inactive while neutral hold is disabled.

Aero

Aero · EnabledTrue

Whether this feature is active in this profile.

Why here: Enables aerodynamic cues; each still needs nonzero strength and its simulator conditions.

Aero · Max flap index2

Where this effect reaches full strength (or has fully faded, for washouts).

More: a more gradual build to a later peak.

Less: a quicker build.

Why here: Sets the final flap index for detent normalization. UP plus three detents uses maximum index3.

Aero · Min flap index2

Where this effect begins fading in.

More: the effect begins later.

Less: it begins earlier.

Why here: Sets the first flap detent that admits buffet; this is a handle index, not degrees.

Aero · Shaker enabledFalse

Whether this feature is active in this profile.

Why here: Permits shaker at supported warning conditions; the switch does not establish aircraft equipment.

Ground

Ground · EnabledTrue

Whether this feature is active in this profile.

Why here: Enables ground effects; each still needs its own strength and contact or motion telemetry.

Engine

Engine · EnabledTrue

Whether this feature is active in this profile.

Why here: Enables engine cues with nonzero settings and valid running-engine telemetry.

Mechanical

Mechanical · EnabledTrue

Whether this feature is active in this profile.

Why here: Enables accessory cues with configured strengths and observed accessory movement.

Mechanical · Gain0.12

The strength of this effect.

More: a stronger effect.

Less: a weaker one.

Why here: Sets texture from observed gear movement, separate from aerodynamic and touchdown effects.

Stick alive

StickAlive · EnabledFalse

Whether this feature is active in this profile.

Why here: This independently configured effect remains subject to valid simulator telemetry and bounded device output.

All profile settings
Estimated profile settings
ParameterValueWhat it controls and why
Spring strength0.74 The baseline spring is 0.74. The low-speed blend rises from 20 to 90 KIAS, while aerodynamic loading uses a 190-KIAS reference and 0.68 gain.
Spring deadband0.05 Sets travel around the centre before the baseline spring resists. Smaller values engage it sooner.
Force gain0.68 The 0.68 aerodynamic-load gain uses an inherited 190-KIAS tuning reference. Neither value is a published Cheyenne hand-force measurement.
Master gain0.85 Scales overall profile strength while preserving effect balance, subject to device and output limits.
Dynamic-pressure blendTrue Allows baseline spring strength to rise with indicated airspeed where the control law permits it.
Minimum spring factor0.55 Sets low-speed spring strength as a fraction of baseline when blending is enabled. One keeps full strength.
Spring wake-up speed20 ktSets the IAS where the low-speed spring blend starts rising. This is a feel threshold, not a flight limit.
Spring full-strength speed90 ktSets the IAS where the low-speed blend reaches baseline strength; high-speed stiffening also uses it.
Force tuning speed190.0 ktThe inherited 190-KIAS reference sets the aerodynamic load scale. Propair’s 246-KCAS maximum operating speed is a separate aircraft figure.
Airspeed spring stiffening0.1 Adds permitted spring resistance above the full-blend speed. Zero removes this high-speed increase.
Airspeed stiffening cap5 Limits the squared airspeed ratio used for high-speed spring stiffening; it is not a device-force cap.
Aileron force scale0.72 Scales roll aerodynamic loading. The separate roll spring curve also affects total axis balance.
Elevator force scale1.0 Scales pitch aerodynamic loading; pitch spring travel and trim responses are separate settings.
Maximum output force0.55 Caps directed-force output. Native spring effects and device limits remain separate.
StickFeel · Trim feel enabledTrue Retained for compatibility and group membership. Trim relief, rather than this flag, controls centre movement.
StickFeel · Trim relief enabledTrue Standard trim relief is enabled with valid telemetry. Its pitch/roll authorities remain inherited estimates; exact Propair trim range and sign await installed checks.
StickFeel · Elevator authority0.3 Pitch relief authority is 0.3; roll relief authority is 0.14. These retained estimates are not derived from measured Cheyenne trim-tab geometry.
StickFeel · Aileron authority0.14 Scales supported roll-trim relief and permitted centre movement. Zero removes roll response.
StickFeel · Force trim enabledFalse Enables local force trim, separate from aircraft-owned trim and add-on integration qualification.
StickFeel · G load enabledTrue Allows load-factor changes to modify permitted spring laws. Passive fly-by-wire feel can suppress it.
StickFeel · Rate damping enabledTrue Enables rate damping with the configured coefficients and control law.
Autopilot · Follow enabledFalse The panel options do not establish an autopilot servo-demand interface. Autopilot follow, neutral hold and surface following are disabled.
Autopilot · Follow authority0.1 Sets admitted AP-follow gain, not a percentage of travel. Runtime ownership and input limits still apply.
Autopilot · Neutral hold enabledFalse Permits centering hold during a supported AP state, separate from following a moving target.
Autopilot · Neutral hold strength0.6 Sets admitted AP neutral-hold strength; inactive while neutral hold is disabled.
Aero · EnabledTrue Enables aerodynamic cues; each still needs nonzero strength and its simulator conditions.
Aero · Gain0.28 Sets stall-buffet strength. Zero removes the cue without changing simulator stalls or warnings.
Aero · Gain0 Sets high-Mach buffet strength; onset and full-strength thresholds are separate.
Aero · Gain0 Flap buffet is off because the exact add-on position and speed schedule has not been established.
Aero · Max flap index2 Sets the final flap index for detent normalization. UP plus three detents uses maximum index3.
Aero · Min flap index2 Sets the first flap detent that admits buffet; this is a handle index, not degrees.
Aero · Gain0.1 Sets gear aerodynamic buffet; movement and ground-contact cues are separate.
Aero · Shaker enabledFalse Permits shaker at supported warning conditions; the switch does not establish aircraft equipment.
Aero · Amplitude0.5 Sets triggered shaker strength; inactive while the shaker feature is disabled.
Ground · EnabledTrue Enables ground effects; each still needs its own strength and contact or motion telemetry.
Ground · Gain0.42 Sets rolling texture strength, modified by speed, surface and undercarriage configuration.
Ground · Gain0.32 Sets gear-bump texture during ground motion, separate from touchdown impact.
Ground · Gain0.82 Sets landing-impact strength; landing telemetry and response shape determine the pulse.
Ground · Gain0 Reverse-thrust vibration is off; a reverse-thrust telemetry mapping has not been qualified.
Engine · EnabledTrue Enables engine cues with nonzero settings and valid running-engine telemetry.
Engine · Gain0.06 Sets estimated engine vibration using configured telemetry and response, not measured cockpit vibration.
Mechanical · EnabledTrue Enables accessory cues with configured strengths and observed accessory movement.
Mechanical · Gain0.12 The 0.12 gain supplies texture only during observed flap movement. It does not assign a flap detent or published extension speed.
Mechanical · Gain0.12 Sets texture from observed gear movement, separate from aerodynamic and touchdown effects.
StickAlive · EnabledFalse This independently configured effect remains subject to valid simulator telemetry and bounded device output.
AeroDrag · Gain0 This independently configured effect remains subject to valid simulator telemetry and bounded device output.
Mechanical · Gain0 The discrete flap-step cue is off pending review of the actual add-on detent schedule.
Public sources 3
  1. PropairFlight Cheyenne III + SkyPass Type Rating BundlePA-42 Cheyenne III · product description and included MSFS editions
  2. Piper PA-42-720 Advanced Trainer Maintenance Manual — chapter 27Chapter 27-00-00, page 1 · PA-42-720 IIIA Advanced Trainer, effectivity 040–999
  3. Quick Look: Cheyenne III/IIIAAOPA Quick Look, April 2014; explicit III/IIIA development comparison.

Community & corrections

If your time in the type says this page got something wrong, correct it here.

Pilot corrections

Fly this aircraft? Correct this page.

This page is built from cited references, and real time in the type beats a citation. Quote the claim that reads wrong and tell us what the actual aircraft does. Corrections go to the maintainer for review and feed the next revision of this research.

Hangar talk

Open conversation about flying and tuning the Piper PA-42 Cheyenne III, in the community forum. Corrections above go privately to the maintainer; hangar talk is public.

No hangar talk for the Piper PA-42 Cheyenne III yet. Be the first.

Community

Community profiles for this aircraft

No community profiles for this aircraft yet. Tuned it your way? Share a profile and it will appear here.