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Flap / Aileron Gap Seal Kit. Theres also Knots2U (www.knots2u.net, 262-763-5100) that has, in addition to the wing fillet mod, a dorsal fin kit, speedbrakes and a variety of other mods for Comanches. The Comanche 180 was introduced in 1957, and the PA-24-250, the 250 HP version, followed soon after in 1958. I get approximately 200 feet per minute in climb increase and 15 knots in cruise. Its a generous interface. Have a website login already? Display compatibility with several third-party systems for ADS-B In, including Garmin GTX345, L3 Lynx 9000 Series, and FreeFlight RANGR UAT. Piper Comanche PA-24 Models. Piper Warrior - Aviation Consumer Garmin will upgrade it to the GTX330ES, which has ADS-B Out, but requires a WAAS GPS input. Used Aircraft Guide: Twin Comanche - Aviation Consumer While we were pleased to find that the old wives tales regarding Comanche landings were untrue, we were concerned by the number of landing gear-related incidents. Throttle 1/8 mixture where you set for lean taxi, mags hot, hit the starter. Call I seem to remember reading something about carb heat being dangerous at cold temperatures, because it can warm intake air enough to get it into the icing temperature range. Also installed was a new glare- shield and a metal panel. assembly. Many carb engines will happily run LOP too. Garmin's G500 retrofit avionics system ranks as one of the best values in aviation, offering a host of advanced capabilities for under $20,000. But unless you buy one thats been particularly well-restored and cared for, getting an old Comanche up to snuff can be a pricey proposition. Ya need to explore the "experimental" side of aviation Greetings fellow fliers and the A&P's that keep us flying. [service, repairs] [emco I flight plan for 13.5 GPH, but flying from 9500 to 11,500 feet will reduce the fuel flow to around 12 GPH. And an airplane thats been all over the hangar floor for a month or longer-now with unfamiliar avionics-is a poor match for the nonproficient pilot. I have over 30 years experience owning, flying, maintaining and modifying aircraft, including Piper Comanches. "Piper manufactured the Comanche line as their first all-metal airplane. Were told one way to smoothen those landings is by adding the Knots2U wing root fillets, which eliminate the vortex striking the stabilator when flaps are used. Youll need them for support, including software and hardware upgrades as the systems mature. So I sent the crankcase off to DivCo in Oklahoma City (www.divcoinc.com), the crankshaft to Rick Romans Inc. (Tulsa, Oklahoma), and Im fortunate enough that at my home airport, we have one of the finest engine facilities in the country Zephyr Aircraft Engines (Zephyrhills, Florida, www.zephyrengines.com).. Ive found that landing gear bungees generally need replacement at every annual inspection. You need to go to somebody whos trained in that model of aircraft but has not seen it before. -Scott Sherer, Fuel is going to be biggest expense. Finally, we felt the pain of the pilot who flew to a neighboring airport for fuel, only to find the tanks locked. The Ultimate Twin Comanche - AOPA CHOOSE YOUR FREE DOWNLOAD: CHEROKEE GUIDE OR DIGITAL ISSUE, How to Disassemble and Transport a Legacy Piper, How and Why to Strip Your Plane Yourself Before it Gets Repainted, Restoring the Interior of a Legacy Piper: How You Can Save Money, Comanche Engine and Mounts: What Happens During an Upgrade, Comanche Reassembly: What a Legacy Piper Looks Like When Its Taken Apart. Kudos to them-we think every retrac pilot should witness a gear swing on the appropriate model. 180-250-260-400- TWIN COMANCHES Our current best selling and most popular mods. These webinars total hours of advice from the Piper Owner Society Editorial Board, led by Aviation Director Scott Sherer. There were eight LOC events in IMC or dark night conditions. That is because of a simple fact that anybody who has painted their house or restained their deck knows: Strip and prep are the most time-consuming part of the paint job, by Piper Owner Society | Jun 8, 2022 | Maintenance, Upgrade & Refurbish | 0. Models: 421C. The G5 has an STC that currently covers 560 aircraft models-a huge swath. What the 180-HP Comanche lacks for cruise speed it certainly makes up for with endurance. I see no one else other than Robin Thomas who makes a promise that if youre not satisfied, no questions asked, you get your money back. Range remains one of the Comanches strong points and many have been fitted with even more fuel capacity in tip tanks and fuselage tanks to give it impressive endurance. If youve already invested in a modern transponder upgrade and dont fly above 18,000 feet, one top pick is the uAvionix skyBeacon wingtip unit with LED position and strobe lamps. Get it approved in advance.. It mounts just aft of the nosewheel well and helps the existing cooling air turn parallel to the belly of the airplane in a more efficient pattern, yielding a 3-MPH speed gain. Call your Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), he said. After flying the new MAX system in a Cirrus (splashed with bright Florida sun), we think the new display technology is impressive-perhaps one of the most sunlight-readable PFDs on the market. The 260's Lycoming IO-540 engine could cruise at 142 to 161 knots, burning 13 to 19 gallons per hour. Parts 1 and 2 of this Piper Comanche restoration series are free to read. Recurring ADs on any aircraft can run up the cost of operation, and Comanches are no different. contact us for horns, installation kits, horn installations in your Comanche, or rebuilds of your existing Piper factory horn/torque tube/balance weight tube assembly. The landing gear on the Comanche gets our attention. This time, he had an old Comanche panel to use as a framework for his new panel layout, along with a photo from a magazine ad. Posted by Rocky Landsverk | Sep 13, 2022 | Comanche Restoration Series, Upgrade & Refurbish. With the TXi, you can interface your analog KX155 nav radio, as one example. Once off the ground, inflight handling is responsive and Comanche pilots will attest that its a delightful airplane to hand fly. ). CHOOSE YOUR FREE DOWNLOAD: CHEROKEE GUIDE OR DIGITAL ISSUE, Sky Smith, Editorial Board, Aviation Insurance Expert, Bob Hart, Editorial Board & Avionics Guru. Piper didnt distinguish between the 180 and 250 in its serial number records, but total production for 1958 was 336, comparing favorably to the 396 J35 Bonanzas Beech cranked out that same year. specials*] Realistically, youll want to budget $2000 for an easy installation (including the strobe light), paperwork and flight testing, and a bit more if the light doesnt exactly bolt directly in place of the existing lamp assembly. Garmin GNC 255A Nav/Comm. There were a number of different models built during that . Correct me if I am wrong: Carb icing is less possible with FI and Vapor Lock is more likely with FI so it is a trade off in that department. Weve covered this system extensively, and most recently in the May 2019 Aviation Consumer where we installed one in a Piper Cherokee to see if it really was the worlds easiest ADS-B upgrade as the company claims. L3 Avionics product sold by Aspen. Buying (an airplane) is not as hard as dealing with it in the first few years. Approach Fast StackModular Wiring Systemwww.approachfaststack.com, Aspen AvionicsPrimary Flight Displayaspenavionics.com, PS EngineeringAudio Panelwww.ps-engineering.com, Adventure Pilot iFly GPSBackup GPS (uncertified)www.iflygps.com. At first glance the Avidyne IFD navigator product line may seem confusing, but it doesnt have to be. to eliminate the repetitive inspections of the factory unit. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Electronic Aircraft Ignition Electroair Review, How to Replace Your Piper Door Lock: Medeco Lock Review, Piper PA-24-250 Comanche Review: Restored Plane Flies for the First Time in 34 Years (Series Part 7, Finale), Reassembling a Restored Piper (Comanche Restoration Series Part 6), Rebuilding a Piper Engine in a Comanche (Comanche Restoration Series Part 5), Upgrading a Comanche Panel (Comanche Restoration Series Part 4), Restoring a Piper Interior (Comanche Restoration Series Part 3), How to Save Money When You Get Your Piper Repainted (Comanche Restoration Series Part 2), https://www.facebook.com/PiperOwnerSociety?fref=ts. Requires WAAS GPS input, tablet interface requires Flight Stream wireless Bluetooth module, Garmin Pilot or ForeFlight app. As we reported in the July 2019 Aviation Consumer, this new companys AV-series primary EFIS is capable and smartly engineered, with a price that caters to low budgets and an installation that doesnt require shredding the instrument panel. In 1958, Piper introduced a 250 hp (190 kW) version using a Lycoming O-540 engine, giving the PA-24-250 Comanche a top cruise speed of 160 kn (180 mph; 300 km/h). Thats the Trio Pro Pilot autopilot, which also has a growing STC list and some smart features as standard. We covered the G3X Touch in a flight trial article in the June 2019 Aviation Consumer so well just recap it here. The Piper PA-24 Comanche is a single-engined, low wing, all-metal light aircraft, with retractable landing gear and either four or six seats. If your instincts are telling you that formal training is in your future, limit your flying to decent weather. The extra 10 GPH the big-engined Comanche 400 burns yields only about 10 to 15 extra knots. Ive found that many aircraft are compliant. Depending on the model and mods, it seems like a Comanche can have a never-ending supply of fuel tanks. The Comanche market has two price points, really. Money back guarantee on all modifications. Meanwhile, the ultimate in wretched excess, or perfection, depending on your point of view, has to go to the Comanche 400. Rebuilding a Piper Engine | Piper Owner Society Also, as with the fuel injection system, earlier airplanes can have a turbo added. Seven approached so low that they hit an obstruction or impacted the ground short of the runway. This website contains many older reviews. We think the effort and cost is worth it given the added utility, including minimum callouts when on an approach. What stands out in this section of our overhaul is the way that Piehl again constructs a template with which to practice and test his major work. Fortunately, there are a number of cost effective aerodynamic improvements that we developed that can easily add 3 to up to 15 MPH, while also improving rate of climb, slow speed handling (reduced stall speed, improved aileron control) and save you fuel. With a tapered laminar-flow wing, respectable speed (big-engine models make downright impressive numbers), solid handling and lots of available speed mods, the right Comanche could be one of the most desirable vintage piston singles. Check a copy of the Comanche Flyer magazine or the ICS website www.comancheflyers.com for examples. AXP322 is remote version. If the G5 attitude instrument fails, the directional instrument reverts to an attitude display. Tied with 12 events in which the pilot could not extend the gear due to maintenance issues, it is our opinion that a potential Comanche buyer put attention to the landing gear system high on his or her checklist for ownership. PRODUCTS], info@johnstonaircraft.com To gain a disproportionately greater benefit in economy. Diversity model (requires top and bottom antenna installation), requires WAAS GPS input, tablet interface requires Flight Stream wireless Bluetooth module, ForeFlight or Garmin Pilot app. Garmin GTN 750 Touchscreen GPS/Nav/Comm. If the aircraft has traditional round gauges, do you want to get rid of the vacuum system in favor of an all-electric suite? Engine Upgrades, What is possible. Wingtip mount with WAAS GPS, LED nav light, LED strobe light. Piper Aircraft has always offered some of the best aviation values in the sky. 1958 PIPER COMANCHE 180 $75,000 FOR SALE 1958 PA 24-180, Airframe 1220 TT, Engine 747 TT, Prop 75 SOHT, Annual completed in April 2022, Two NARCO MK-12D Navcoms one with GS one without, Always Hangered, New Carpet, Leather Seats, original paint. These webinars total hours of advice from the Piper Owner Society Editorial Board, led by Aviation Director Scott Sherer. Either way, a realistic budget should be around $100,000. Requires Garmin Pilot, ForeFlight tablet app. For dual installations (maybe an IFD550 and IFD440), the connections are independent for redundancy, but have full synchronization. I could not believe the difference. Subscribe today to read the entire series, which chronicles: What You Will Learn in This Article: Rebuilding a Piper Engine in a Comanche. *$4495 with Flight Stream 210 (built-in AHRS). Recommended: Click on a photo for a popup photo gallery. Budget Buys: The 'Baby' Comanche - AOPA Complete replacement of your exhaust system. ((navigator.appName == "Microsoft Internet Explorer") && Clockwise from the top: The digital Genesys S-TEC 3100 has a growing STC list and is a good value because it work with existing S-TEC autopilot servos, saving a sizable amount of installation time. 3-blade Scimitar (260, 260B) 3-blade Scimitar . The performance change has been incredibleI cant begin to explain how different the plane feels. Upgrade & Refurbish. When temps drop to -40 or lower many carbs must use heat to raise temps up to where the fuel air ratio is rich enough, but that is still way to low for induction icing. I can put 260 hp on a Cherokee Arrow and never fly as fast as a Comanche. Early in my career, I was an avionics engineer in military electronics for a major contractor, Piehl said. It offers a magazine as well as other resources and can be reached at 888-300-0082 or via the website at www.comancheflyers.com. Now is a good time to invest, but dont let lower prices fool you into thinking even a basic upgrade will be inexpensive. But if you want to connect the new displays audio output feature, your shop will need to wire it in to the audio panel. The trim is generally in very poor condition, with various cracks in the trim and deformation around the screw holes. By then, Piper was already established in Vero Beach, Florida, but neither the single nor the Twin Comanche variants made the transition to Vero. For comparison, an American. O.E.M. Theres good reason to consider going vac-less. Not many vintage singles in its class can match that. Electric flaps replaced the manual ones in 1962 models. In fact, the IFD100 app essentially adds a second IFD550 display/control set on the tablet. In 1961, the gross weight of the 250 was boosted by 100 pounds. With the plane on jacks, swing the gear and look for loose fits and bushings. aircraft sales] [engines] The early panel layout doesnt conform to the later standard T configuration, so it may be unfamiliar to recently trained pilots or those coming from more modern rides. if(MSFPhover) { MSFPnav2n=MSFPpreload("_derived/comwingtips.htm_cmp_jas110_hbtn.gif"); MSFPnav2h=MSFPpreload("_derived/comwingtips.htm_cmp_jas110_hbtn_a.gif"); } Its big on features, small on size and works with the Garmin flight displays. So that was #1 on my list: The avionics I chose had to communicate with the other avionics., His next requirement was the ability to self-install the instruments, with the help of his A&P. Budget Buy: Comanche 260 - AOPA var a=new Image(); a.src=img; return a; Use the downtime to hit the pilots guides. 24WS, Arapaho Dorsal Fin. Step one is to evaluate the existing flight instruments and look toward the future. The Comanches have a speed wing so its not a comfortable ride in moderate or greater turbulence, so slowing it down softens the bumps. What about temperatures in the 15-30 degree range? It tends to be nose-heavy on landing so I use a lot of nose-up trim for an easier flare. Got an existing GTX330 Mode S unit? SA 97 SO Installation A, B, or C of . It had never lifted off that easily beforeI am now climbing faster with a solid feel to the controls and the ride. On takeoff there might be a tendency for the Comanche to wheelbarrow in crosswinds when holding the nose down to prevent the airplane from coming off the ground. *$4495 with Flight Stream 210 (built-in AHRS), version for helicopters. { Theres also an AD on the vertical fin attachment (AD 75-12-06). The good news for owners left in the cold is that many of the probes and sensors for this system can work with a JP Instruments engine monitor, including the EDM930. FEATURING QUALITY, RELIABILITY, and PERFORMANCE. The added seats are in the baggage compartment. Arch-Warrior, Inc. offers an STC to covert a Warrior to 180 HP. I subbed out a lot of the work the crankcase, the crankshaft, the rods, all the internal components to a specialist. A worn-out fuel cap assembly has a compromised seal around the fuel inlet and could leak fuel in flight or allow water intrusion from a hefty rainstorm into the fuel tank. 30RS $399.40 Add to Cart sku: 24RS Rudder Gap Seal Kit. It expensive enough buying a 40 or 50 year old airplane. The AD list is pretty long, but most of the items are one-time fixes, followed by future inspection. I guess that explains why I have had the same plane for 30 years! The panel is what one would expect from a circa-1960s airplane, with good space for instruments but early, unrestored models will look dated by modern standards. Unlike the G3X Touch, the TXi displays have full TSO approval, plus the system is deeply compatible with analog third-party systems, including legacy autopilots. Thats working out to the benefit of avionics buyers, especially ones with lower budgets. It offers an excellent blend of speed, fuel economy, control feel, and range. Internal WAAS $5795, GTX345-R LRU priced the same and works on G1000 NXi, G2000, G3000, G5000. Has built-in WAAS GPS receiver, tablet interface requires Flight Stream wireless Bluetooth, Garmin Pilot or ForeFlight app. Pricing on the base GTX345 (without GPS) is $4995. Location: SF Bay area. We are certified to install Continental TSIO-360KB engines in your Seneca II. Models: 310P, 350P. On November 24, 1959, Max Conrad landed a Piper Comanche equipped with a Lycoming four-cylinder 180-horsepower engine in El Paso, Texas. FAA approved by STC and for all PA28-140 aircraft with Lycoming O-320 engines. All upgrades get a fresh two-year warranty. The Piper PA-24 Comanche 180 first flew on May 24, 1956, the first of what would become one of Piper Aircraft's most successful single-engine series. "COMANCHE". This website contains many older reviews. Dont underestimate the learning curve that tags along with a new suite, especially if it includes a new-to-you GPS navigator. The plane has not been a drain maintenance wise. Remote control head/processor design, requires. Both models had carbureted engines mated to constant-speed props. Its also intended as an easy replacement for the S-TEC 55-series autopilot with minimal rewiring. And it's fun to recall some Piper engineers, back when it was introduced, boasting that the fat, new, stubby wing was actually every bit as good as the sexier-looking tapered Comanche wing, aerodynamically. Engine Upgrades. Last edited: Oct 6, 2013. ADS-B is old news. (parseInt(navigator.appVersion) >= 4 ))); If so, does the products STC include removing the vacuum system? This is a great airspeed for 160 hp and roughly 10 gph of 100LL. 24RS, Wing Root Fairing Kit. It'll start in a couple of blades. That engine has an 1800-hour TBO and the current Aircraft Bluebook says the overhaul is around $65,000. by Rocky Landsverk | Nov 17, 2022 | Upgrade & Refurbish | 0. These and later Comanches can be spotted by the extra cabin window and rear baggage door on the left side, which doubles as an emergency exit. If not, the selling price should be adjusted to reflect a cost of $1500 per bladder. To round out the landing accidents, only one pilot couldnt get stopped on the available runway-well below what we expect to see in our accident reviews. Its one of our top picks for a retrofit big-screen engine display. // -->. As weve reported, the once-popular Xerion Auracle big-screen monitor has been orphaned. It has a battery backup in case of electrical failure and can be paired with the $2549 G5 heading/electronic HSI instrument for dual ADAHRS redundancy. contact us for horns, installation kits, horn installations in your Comanche, or In 1972, there were two single-engine Comanche models still in production-the 260 and turbo 260. You might hear some say the Comanche is tough to land smoothly, and that it floats when in the flare, and then drops on. LYCOMING, BENDIX IGNITION, This means in those applications there is limited rewiring required. As one result, many have opted to replace their old Hartzells for new two- or three-blade Hartzell or McCauley propellers, which terminates the AD. Sure, the Piper PA-24 series is old-one of Pipers first metal, non-tailwheel cruisers-and ultimately a competitor to the Beech Bonanza and Cessna 210. Upgrading a Comanche Panel: Photo Gallery. // -->