N178BH

N178BH is a Piper Aircraft PA-32R-301T, a single-engine piston aircraft operated by HIRASHIMA BENJAMIN J. SkyMeter has tracked 72 flights totalling 325 hours of airtime via ADS-B. The most frequent segment is KTRK to KTRK. Service window in our records spans 392 days. The Piper Aircraft PA-32R-301T has a maximum takeoff weight of 3,600 lb, light wake category.

About the Piper Aircraft PA-32R-301T

The Piper PA-32R-301T Turbo Saratoga SP is a high-performance single-engine retractable-gear piston aircraft that brought turbocharged capability to Piper's popular six-seat Cherokee Six lineage. Introduced in the mid-1990s as part of Piper's revitalized Saratoga line, the Turbo variant pairs a 300-horsepower Lycoming TIO-540 engine with a fixed-wastegate turbocharger, enabling the aircraft to maintain sea-level power up to approximately 12,000 feet and cruise comfortably in the flight levels where most light singles struggle. This makes it a favorite among owner-pilots flying long cross-country legs over mountainous terrain or seeking to top weather systems that would ground normally aspirated counterparts.

With a maximum takeoff weight of 3,600 pounds and a roomy cabin that seats six adults, the Turbo Saratoga SP balances useful load with comfort, offering club seating and generous baggage capacity. Its retractable landing gear and low-wing design deliver cruise speeds around 170 knots true airspeed at altitude, while the turbocharger's added complexity is offset by straightforward systems and a reputation for docile handling. The SP designation denotes the stretched fuselage and tapered wing introduced in the late 1970s, refinements that improved both cabin space and aerodynamic efficiency over earlier PA-32 models.

The type remains a staple of the high-end personal and small-charter fleet, prized for its blend of speed, range, and payload. It competes directly with Cessna's T210 Centurion and Beechcraft's A36 Bonanza in the turbocharged single-engine market, though the Saratoga's fixed six seats and wider cabin appeal to families and small groups prioritizing space over outright speed. SkyMeter has tracked flights across airframes and operators, with the largest observed operator.