Piper PA-28-236 DAKOTA, Pilot Operating Handbook

Page: 267 / 367

PIPER AIRCRAFT CORPORATION SECTION 9
PA-28-236, DAKOTA SUPPLEMENTS
ISSUED: JUNE 1, 1978 REPORT: VB-910
9-17
NOTE
To insure maximum climb performance the air
conditioner must be turned off manually before
takeoff to disengage the compressor and retract
the condenser door. Also the air conditioner
must be turned off manually before the landing
approach in preparation for a possible go-
around.
Although the cruise speed and range are only slightly affected by the
air conditioner operation, these changes should be considered in preflight
planning. To be conservative, the following figures assume that the
compressor is operating continuously while the airplane is airborne. This
will be the case only in extremely hot weather.
(a) The decrease in true airspeed is approximately 4 KTS at all power
settings.
(b) The decrease in range may be as much as 48 nautical miles for the 72
gallon capacity.
The climb performance is not compromised measurably with the
air conditioner operating since the compressor is declutched and the
condenser door is retracted, both automatically, when a full throttle position
is selected. When the full throttle position is not used or in the event
of a malfunction which would cause the compressor to operate and the
condenser door to be extended, a decrease in rate of climb of as much
as 100 fpm can be expected. Should a malfunction occur which prevents
condenser door retraction when the compressor is turned off, a decrease in
rate of climb of as much as 50 fpm can be expected.