Responsibility and Principal Dimensions

Before any number in the handbook matters, someone has to decide the airplane is fit to fly — and the handbook is clear about who that is. After that come the outside dimensions: the figures that decide whether the Seminole fits a hangar, a taxiway or a tight turn on the ramp.

At a glance

• Safe-for-flight decisionthe pilot in command
• Airworthiness assurancethe owner
• Wing span38 ft 6.6 in
• Overall length27 ft 7.20 in
• Overall height8 ft 6.00 in
• Main wheel track10 ft 6.5 in
• Wheel base (nose to mains)8 ft 4.80 in
• Stabilator span10 ft
• Wing area183.8 sq ft
• Minimum turning radius33.0 ft

Who is responsible

The pilot in command determines that the airplane is safe for flight and keeps the flight inside the operating limitations — the ones shown by the instrument markings, by the placards and in the handbook. Making sure the airplane is airworthy in the first place is the owner's job.

NOTE — Outside the United States the FAA operating rules may not apply. The operator is responsible for flying the aircraft under the national operating rules that do apply.

Principal dimensions

The three-view figure gives the airplane's outside measurements. Five of them describe the airplane's size; three more describe its footprint on the ground.

Figure: Principal dimensions and ground geometry (redrawn).

Outside measurements

• Wing span — 38 ft 6.6 in.

• Overall length — 27 ft 7.20 in.

• Overall height — 8 ft 6.00 in.

• Horizontal tail (stabilator) span — 10 ft.

• Wing area — 183.8 sq ft.

On the ground

• Main wheel track — 10 ft 6.5 in.

• Wheel base — 8 ft 4.80 in, from the nose wheel to the main wheels.

• Minimum turning radius — 33.0 ft, taken from the pivot point out to the wingtip.

The turning radius is the one to remember on a crowded ramp: it is measured out to the wingtip.

Check yourself

• Who decides the airplane is safe for flight, and who is responsible for its airworthiness?

• What is the wing span, and what is the overall length?

• How wide is the main wheel track, and how long is the wheel base?

• What is the minimum turning radius, and between which two points is it measured?

• What is the span of the stabilator?

Study aid — always fly your aircraft's current AFM/POH.