I’m reading online the max takeoff weight for the Piper PA-34 is 4,750lbs while in the sim it’s 4,407lbs which is a huge difference. Currently in the sim you can barely have 3 passengers and 50% fuel before crossing weight limits, which seems odd for a big twin 6 seater.
I’m wondering if anyone else has come across this and if there’s a way to update the weight limits?
Moved to #third-party-addon-discussion:aircraft
I wouldn’t call the 3.5% difference “huge”, but it is indeed significant and an interesting case. Carenado made the aircraft based on specific data from specific real world aircraft. Does the max takeoff weight in provided POH match in-game weight? If yes than we deal with some variation. If no than we might have an error somewhere.
I mistyped, the max takeoff weight for the Seneca V is actually 4,750lbs which is 350lbs more than in the sim! Now that’s a massive difference as it totally changes the possibilities of the aircraft. It goes from a 3 person to a 5 person plane.
Well, I don’t think any GA airplane can haul max passengers with full tanks. You have to compromise. Even 4570lbs won’t let you have more than 3 passengers with full tanks, and if you wanted all 6 souls on board, you would need to go below 50% fuel.
Anyways, it is definitely odd that Carenado has just 4407lbs. Maybe they have some special equipment onboard? Or weaker engines?
as far as i know it’s your typical Seneca V. maybe carenado messed up. anyway i went over their limit and up to actual max and it’s flying just fine. i’m wondering if theres a cfg file you can edit to change it
Weights are set in flight_model.cfg if it’s not locked by Carenado
@SinfulDanTheMan Carenado didn’t mess anything up.
This ‘massive’ difference on some Senecas (and other GA aircraft) is simply for money saving purposes.
Most aircraft can be certified with different MTOWs.
At least in many countries in Europe operating aircraft with an MTOW below 2000kg is noticeable cheaper than above this weight.
4407lbs = 1999kg. 
the amazing thing is, price doesn’t matter in a simulator! so limiting a MTOW based on price is an odd design choice to say the least. The manufacture’s MTOW is 4,750lbs, simple as that.
Also MSFS is open to the WHOLE WORLD so setting a MTOW based on a specific location also doesn’t make sense.
Check this out: Seneca V PA-34-220T Specifications, Cabin Dimensions, Performance (globalair.com)
Not amazing at all.
Carenado usually uses a single specific aircraft for their development and the corresponding POH, AFM etc.
Apparently their Seneca V is a 4407lbs MTOW certified version. It’s that simple.
Btw. did you read the red disclaimer on the website you have linked?
Disclaimer: Information on this site may not be accurate or current
that was just an example. here are two more with a quick search:
Piper Seneca V (letsflysandiego.com)
Type: Constant Speed, Full Feathering
Gross Weight: 4750 lbs/2155 kgs
*Standard Empty Equipped Weight (b,c,d): 3377 lbs/1532 kgs
*Standard Useful Load (a): 1373 lbs/623 kgs
Piper PA-34 Seneca - Specifications - Technical Data / Description (flugzeuginfo.net)
| Empty Weight | 1.539 kg | 3.393 lbs |
|---|---|---|
| max. Takeoff Weight | 2.155 kg | 4.751 lbs |
Looks like you still don’t understand why Carenado has chosen the lower gross weight version.
They modelled their Seneca after an actual Seneca, it’s not a generic one.
eg in Germany a twin below 2000kg gets a D-G*** tail number while 2000kg-5700kg is D-I*** which is SIGNIFICATLY more expensive. If you don’t need it you’d avoid the India class. A Da62 5 seater for example can be certified with 1999kg too.
1999kg theory is right i think. They modelled this after the real one which has 1999kg weight.
I discovered that too. I have about 300 hours in all variants of the Seneca and that struck me right away. Unfortunately, the weight can’t be changed because the config file is encrypted. Carenado will have to change it. Fortunately, you can load the airplane up to the real max gross weight in the simulator and it flies just fine.
What disappointed me was that I fly this in Neofly and was shocked to find the max payload is 339lb.
That’s over 100lb less than what’s quoted in Dan’s post - which would make quite a difference in Neofly. Especially for a 6 seater, which means I have to keep a special eye on the fuel weight before even thinking about which jobs I can accept. Can’t just say “oh, it’s a 6 seater so I can take 5 passengers”.
@JohnnyDioxin
Again, it’s just a legal issue.
From a performance POV you can of course fly it at its higher MTOW.
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