1978 Piper PA-32RT-300T Turbo Lance II

Name: 1978 Piper Piston
Brand: Piper
Price: 125000 USD
Availability: InStock

The 1978 Piper PA-32RT-300T Turbo Lance II (N318PK) is a six-seat turbocharged piston single listed for sale by Valiair at $125000. It has 3346 hours total time, a Lycoming TIO-540-S1AD (300 hp turbocharged) with a top overhaul around 530 hours ago, and a club-seating cabin with factory air conditioning. Based at Palomar Airport in Carlsbad, California, it's closing-ready with full pre-purchase inspection, escrow, and title support.

$ 125000 USD

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About this 1978 Piper PA-32RT-300T Turbo Lance II for sale

Price: $125000 USD
Airframe: 3346 hrs total time, 1238 lbs useful load
Engine: Lycoming TIO-540-S1AD (300 hp turbocharged), top overhaul August 2020
Cabin: 6 (club configuration) seats
Avionics: IFR-equipped with Garmin GNS 430, ADS-B Out, and an Altimatic IIIB autopilot
Currency: IFR re-certified March 2026
Based at: Palomar Airport (KCRQ), Carlsbad, California

Full Specifications

Spec	Value
Year	1978
Make	Piper
Model	PA-32RT-300T Turbo Lance II
Registration	N318PK
Serial Number	32R-7887037
Category	Piston
Asking Price	$125000 USD
Total Time	3346 hrs
Useful Load	1238 lbs
Seating	6 (club configuration)
Engine	Lycoming TIO-540-S1AD (300 hp turbocharged)
TSMOH	1723 hrs
TBO	1800 hrs (approx. 77 hrs remaining)
Top Overhaul	August 2020 (530 hours ago) – cam lobe, topend (6 new Lycoming nickel cylinders), new overhauled turbo, accessories – by America's Aircraft Engines, Oklahoma
Last Major Overhaul	02/19/2010 by Straight Aero Aircraft Engines
Last Compressions	11/26/2025 - 72/80, 76/80, 74/80, 74/80, 74/80, 72/80
Propeller	Hartzell HC-E2YR-1BF/F8477-4, 3-blade constant speed (overhauled Feb 2010)
Cruise Speed	approx. 190 kts at altitude
Range	approx. 900 nm (94 gal usable fuel)
Fuel Burn	approx. 17 GPH at cruise
Service Ceiling	20000 ft
Paint / Interior	6/10, refurbished 2014
IFR Re-cert	March 2026
Location	Palomar Airport (KCRQ), Carlsbad, California

Avionics and equipment

ADS-B: uAvionix SkyBeacon, Outonly
Autopilot: Piper Altimatic IIIB(Century Flight Systems) with Altitude Hold and GPSS
Garmin GNS 430 (non-WAAS) withNSD 360 HSI
Garmin GPSmap 496 portable onAir Gizmo dock
Collins Nav/Com
Collins ADF
Collins DME
Garmin GTX 327
JPI EDM 700
Garmin GMA 340 with 6-placeintercom
AmeriKing AK-451 (406 MHz) ELT
Music input to audio panel

Modifications and STCs

Piper SB 1161D L&R wing rib assembly flange replacement (terminating action; recurrent inspection no longer required)
Door Steward door gas-spring STC

Pre-purchase inspection & logbook review

Secure escrow & clean title confirmed

Trust ownership, FAA rep & export handling

Buying a used aircraft through Valiair

A Managed Purchase Process

Valiair handles the whole transaction, not just the introduction. Once you're interested in this Turbo Lance II, we coordinate an independent pre-purchase inspection and a logbook and title review, so you commit on documented facts rather than photos. Funds and documents move through proper aircraft title and escrow, and we confirm a clean ownership chain before closing.

International Buyers Welcome

International buyers are welcome. A non-US citizen or foreign company can own and register this US aircraft through a Valiair aircraft trust, with our team acting as your FAA US agent for service. If the aircraft is leaving the country, our import, export, and customs team coordinates delivery from Palomar. Send an inquiry to arrange a viewing or request the full records.

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Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about buying a private aircraft.

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How much is this 1978 Piper PA-32RT-300T Turbo Lance II?

This 1978 Piper PA-32RT-300T Turbo Lance II is listed at $125000 USD and is based at Palomar Airport in Carlsbad, California. The price reflects a recent top overhaul with six new cylinders, IFR certification current to March 2026, and full club seating with factory air conditioning. Contact a Valiair broker for the complete records and current availability.

What inspections does Valiair coordinate for this PA-32RT-300T Turbo Lance II?

We arrange an independent pre-purchase inspection with a qualified shop, plus a full logbook review and an FAA title search. For this airframe that includes verifying the August 2020 top overhaul, the November 2025 compression readings, and the status of the Piper SB 1161D wing rib service bulletin. You see the findings before any money changes hands.

How is escrow and title handled?

Funds and signed documents move through a dedicated aircraft title and escrow process rather than directly between buyer and seller. We run a title search to confirm a clean ownership chain and clear any liens before closing, then register the transfer with the FAA. This protects both sides and is standard on every Valiair transaction.

How many hours are on the engine, and where is it relative to TBO?

The Lycoming TIO-540-S1AD (300 hp turbocharged) has 1723 hours since major overhaul, against a recommended 1800-hour TBO, so roughly 77 hours remain to the recommendation. The August 2020 top overhaul (cam lobe, topend (6 new Lycoming nickel cylinders), new overhauled turbo, accessories) means strong current condition, and recent compressions sit in the low-to-mid 70s. A buyer should still plan for a future major overhaul, and we'll factor that into the numbers with you.

What is the difference between a Piper Lance and a Piper Saratoga?

The Turbo Lance II (PA-32RT-300T) is the T-tail, turbocharged version of Piper's retractable PA-32R family from the late 1970s. In 1980 Piper replaced the Lance line with the Saratoga, which moved back to a conventional tail and added a semi-tapered wing for refined handling. Both are six-seat singles in the same lineage; this Turbo Lance II offers turbocharged high-altitude performance at a lower entry price than a comparable Saratoga.

Can a non-US buyer purchase and register this aircraft?

Yes. Non-US citizens and foreign companies can own and register a US aircraft through an FAA-compliant aircraft trust. Valiair sets up the trust and acts as your US agent for service, which keeps the registration valid, and our import and export team can coordinate delivery abroad. This is a common path for our international buyers.

Where is the aircraft located and can I view it?

The aircraft is based at Palomar Airport (KCRQ) in Carlsbad, California, where Valiair has its San Diego office. We can arrange a viewing and an on-site inspection, or coordinate remote video and records review for buyers who can't travel. Send an inquiry to schedule.

1978 Piper PA-32RT-300T Turbo Lance II

1978 Piper PA-32RT-300T Turbo Lance II

Buying a used aircraft through Valiair

A Managed Purchase Process

International Buyers Welcome

Frequently asked questions

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