Either way, a realistic budget should be around $100,000. The result is essentially a Comanche 250 with a low gross weight. According to my Warrior II Information Manual you can reach a true airspeed of about 122 knots at 75% power between 6,000 and 8,000 feet. Two interesting facts related to this section of the overhaul: Just about the only things that survived to todays version of this Comanche are the seat frames, and just about the only thing that Piehl or his friends didnt do on this plane comes in this installment the leather upholstery work. Piper Comanche PA-24 Models. Read a Piper door lock review with photos of a Medeco door lock installation. 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. And you should. Has built-in WAAS GPS receiver, diversity (requires top and bottom antenna installation), tablet interface requires Flight Stream wireless Bluetooth module, ForeFlight or Garmin Pilot app. Shop labor effort and rates are at an all-time high and good shops are busy. Requires Garmin Pilot, ForeFlight tablet app. 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. Its big on features, small on size and works with the Garmin flight displays. Piper Comanche PA-24-400, PA-30, PA-39 Models. Have a website login already? After years of distance-traveling in my airplane (to places I never would have visited if it werent for my Comanche), I believe a full-featured autopilot is perhaps the most useful avionics system you can buy. 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. Parts 1 and 2 of this Piper Comanche restoration series are free to read. if(MSFPhover) { MSFPnav1n=MSFPpreload("_derived/comprops.htm_cmp_jas110_hbtn.gif"); MSFPnav1h=MSFPpreload("_derived/comprops.htm_cmp_jas110_hbtn_a.gif"); } (Aircraft Sales/General Info), parts@johnstonaircraft.com There were eight runway loss of control incidents, low, we think-and one of them involved a student pilot. CHOOSE YOUR FREE DOWNLOAD: CHEROKEE GUIDE OR DIGITAL ISSUE, Sky Smith, Editorial Board, Aviation Insurance Expert, Bob Hart, Editorial Board & Avionics Guru. For comparison, an American. Its a generous interface. LoPresti did create some interesting and worthwhile aerodynamic mods for the airplane, however. If you already have a healthy and modern transponder and you dont plan to fly high, Garmins GDL82 UAT solution sells for $1795-the second cheapest. O.E.M. Heres how to replace your Piper seat covers, which was one step in my Arrows long by Piper Owner Society | Dec 8, 2022 | Upgrade & Refurbish | 0. Below are more photos and advice from Piehl as he went through this process. ADS-B In only, for use with 1090ES transponder. We are now Of all the avionics upgrades, planning a primary flight display retrofit is perhaps the most difficult. For training info, try www.comanchetraining.com. It put the Comanches on the map. 6" Wheel (Set of Two) LSM-200-701-1, Windshield Cowler Kit. Piper then skipped directly to the 400 HP PA-24-400 in . The modification was said to yield a little extra HP, and about a 1-2gph drop in cruise. Still, there were some notable improvements over early models. Some go as far as installing a smaller nosewheel tire and others simply pump up the main gear oleos to reduce the static angle of attack on takeoff. Theres roughly a $6000 greater price delta between the 10-inch G500TXi ($15,995) and the 10-inch G3X Touch. [parts], [*parts 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. The 180 came with a carbureted 180-horsepower Lycoming O-360 engine, had a 140-kt cruise speed, and went out the door for $18,000 or so. To many pilots, Piper's Twin Comanche represents an apex of light twin design. Bolt-On Horsepower. Piper Comanche Guide and Specs - Aviator Insider Basic annual inspections are done at a full-service FBO and run about $1400 when owner assisted. Piper Lance Restoration Continues With Dual Electronic Ignition Upgrade This is the second of two by Scott Sherer | Sep 15, 2022 | Upgrade & Refurbish | 0. to eliminate the repetitive inspections of the factory unit. Market Scan With more than 2000 built, there are usually plenty of Twin Comanches to pick from in various stages of repair, restoration and upgrade. Posted by Rocky Landsverk | Sep 13, 2022 | Comanche Restoration Series, Upgrade & Refurbish. Comanche Panel Upgrades; Comanche Engine and Mounts: What Happens During an Upgrade; Comanche Reassembly: What a Legacy Piper Looks Like When It's Taken Apart; 1959 Comanche Fully Restored; . Piper PA-24 Comanche Review | Piper Owner Society Moreover, the aircraft are relatively complex-certainly when compared to, for example, a Cessna 182-so dont assume it will be as cheap to maintain. Many carb engines will happily run LOP too. After 34 years, the first flight of N6494P took place at Zephyrhills Airport, three days before leaving on a trip to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, just in time for AirVenture in July and August 2021. This issue (April 2022), the Comanche restoration moves to the interior, where Greg replaced almost everything inside the hull. 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. 2-blade. A major problem with older aircraft is the condition of the interior plastic trim. 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. Power Flow Systems, Inc. - PA28-140-O320 Piper Comanche. 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. The plane is ADS-B Out compliant with a Stratus transponder installed in 2016. Everything Laminar Flow Systems makes has integrity, a design philosophy which puts the pilot 1st! I actually contacted them and asked them what color that is. 2-blade Scimitar. The airplane carried 60 gallons, and could be modified to hold 90 gallons. The plane has not been a drain maintenance wise. 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).. Phone: (386) 253-8833 Piper Comanche PA-24-400, PA-30, PA-39 Models. Insurance runs about $1600 per year. Connecting the G5 directional instrument to third-party autopilots and earlier GPS navigators requires the $699 GAD29B nav interface module. 180-250-260-400- TWIN COMANCHES The basic, bare-bones G3X Touch with a 7-inch screen is $7995. First, weve worked on enough Comanches to say that the airplane is perhaps one of the best built all-metal singles of its time. Discussion in 'Maintenance Bay' started by bjohnsonmn, Oct 6, . { Call your Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), he said. The TruTrak Vizion has a straightforward installation. It offers an excellent blend of speed, fuel economy, control feel, and range. Weve see trade values as high as $8000. I know that I could save fuel instead of the extra speed, but I really enjoy the speed. The overarching theme for his avionics plan was to make the system interact with other elements and to make everything simple. (replacing the carbureted O-320/360 engine/prop with a fuel-injected Piper Arrow IO-360 propulsion system . since 1947 and have a reputation for Quality, Reliability, and Service. We have 24 PIPER COMANCHE SERIES Aircraft For Sale. 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. Also featuring longtime pilot and electrical engineer Jim "Griff" Griffin, these advice videos feature tips from longtime pilot and CFI Mike Jones, avionics consultant Bob Hart, insurance and business expert Scott "Sky" Smith, and more. I am the second owner of 20 years. In flight, the Comanche is smooth, stable and tight, with a climb rate that is impressive and difficult to prevent. The cabin itself is roomy and comfortable with good width, if a bit drafty and noisy, say some owners. He's very difficult to contact but one CPA member reports successfully purchasing the STC in 2006. [service, repairs] [emco How do you test an engine after a rebuild without mounting it back onto the plane? Its a buyers market with lots of choices. In its basic form, a single G5 attitude indicator can be installed as primary. PA24-180 Comanche. 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. I would prove that time and again in my Comanche 250. Partial plug-and-play with some existing BendixKing transponders. My hardest transition in flying the Comanche was planning enough time to slow it up to the gear extension speed of 150 MPH and managing four fuel tanks (90 gallons total) and an electric fuel pump (on and off for landing and takeoffs). The basic airframe proved successful and wasnt changed much during its production run. Find your Customer Number (its on your mailing label) and register here. 2 U Mods,Weight and Balance, - WHATEVER The straight roofline giving theComanche its distinctive crewcut looks also reduces visibility upward, although its not as bad as some airplanes and does provide welcome shade in hot climates. 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. But I can send you a color chip to match., So I matched it, and when looking at it, I thought, Darn, thats pretty much the color that I used on the airplane, lets just use the same paint! So I didnt have to invest in any engine paint., What Piehl means is that he used the same paint as the exterior in places on the engine that dont get overly hot. The company also offers a stainless steel dual exhaust system. Like the first two installments of this series, were making this article free to all website visitors. This is part four of seven parts. Display name: Doug. Piper kept the Comanches electromechanical manual landing gear relatively simple, although it can be a source of woes when not maintained properly. The performance change has been incredibleI cant begin to explain how different the plane feels. if(MSFPhover) { MSFPnav2n=MSFPpreload("_derived/comwingtips.htm_cmp_jas110_hbtn.gif"); MSFPnav2h=MSFPpreload("_derived/comwingtips.htm_cmp_jas110_hbtn_a.gif"); } Get it approved in advance.. They gave me a guy to call at Lycoming, and he said, I cant tell you the color of it, its proprietary. At this point the ADS-B buy-in decision should be easy. This adds big to the installation effort and bottom line. Their excellent build quality with total corrosion proofing before assembly and compound curve panels meant that the underlying cost structure was greater than emerging designs from either Piper or its competitors. I used the company Approach Fast Stack to build the wiring harness for the entire panel, he said. The airframe is essentially identical to the 250, except the 400 uses the Piper Aztec stabilizer. Log in and start reading now. PROPELLER and TEXTRON LYCOMING. 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. Were putting the finishing touches on an engine monitor roundup for a future issue of Aviation Consumer, but well give you a brief primer here. Click here or above for a free download: Cherokee guide OR free digital issue. If you want to coax Comanche 260 speeds from a 250 model, try using the 260s power settings. 24GS $879.54 Choose Options sku: 30RS Rudder Gap Seal Kit. Continentals are easy to hot start, full throttle, mixture rich, hi pump till you get flow, 1,2,3,4, off. Click here or above for a free download: Cherokee guide OR free digital issue. [ag aircraft] Garmin GMA 35c Remote-mount Bluetooth Audio Panel. List of STCs - RAJAY Turbo Products Used Aircraft Guide: Twin Comanche - Aviation Consumer The TXi is also available with Garmins EIS engine indication system and is available in multiple screen configurations. Piper Comanche PA-24, PA-30, PA-39 Models. "COMANCHE". Its pretty much plug and play. With a gross weight significantly lower than later Comanches, cabin payload with full standard fuel (60 gallons) is about 660 pounds-think three-person airplane. Before even asking a shop for a price quote, bring them the aircraft. A complex light twin, with retractable landing gear, seating 4 (in original models) to 6 (in later models), and cruise speeds ranging from 160-210 mph on twin 150-160 horsepower engines, it competed with the more-powerful Cessna 310 and Beech Baron . Pilots who have mastered the Comanche tell us you probably wont make a smooth arrival every single time, but that its not much different from some other high-performance singles. Piper Warrior - Aviation Consumer New aircraft models approved for the GFC 600 autopilot include: Cessna 421. Most of us have heard horror stories about the person who built a dock or deck next to the lake without calling the Department of Natural Resources. The 100-pound rise in gross gave the airplane a hefty 1427-pound useful load. Partial plug-and-play with KT76A/C, KT78A transponders, requires WAAS GPS input. I can put 260 hp on a Cherokee Arrow and never fly as fast as a Comanche. Its so tolerant of any heat that its not going to hurt it, so I used the same paint., Piehl also wanted to stress that this article is very abbreviated. For more than five decades, active and dedicated aircraft owners and pilots have turned to AVIATION CONSUMER to answer their most important buying questions. 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. These webinars total hours of advice from the Piper Owner Society Editorial Board, led by Aviation Director Scott Sherer. Piehl said, he gave me a lot of advice like where to find parts, and I subbed a lot of work to him, such as magnafluxing connecting rods and checking all the gears, and that inspection is required for a complete overhaul. SKYTRONICS IGNITION HARNESSES, CHAMPION PRODUCTS, LP PLASTICS, WHELEN LIGHTING. He headed back to home plate and ran the airplane dry on downwind. Piper Comanche - AOPA - Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association TEXAS SKYWAYS HAS THIS STC. Piper did the turbo 260 installation the right way by providing check valves and a turbo oil sump. Meanwhile, the ultimate in wretched excess, or perfection, depending on your point of view, has to go to the Comanche 400. MSFPhover = } There were 17 accidents involving pilots either running completely out of fuel or running a tank dry and not then selecting a tank containing fuel and getting a restart in the time remaining in flight. Piper's most significant upgrade to the Warrior came in 1977 when a slightly different O-320 engine-the -D3G-was bolted on, offering a . At first glance the Avidyne IFD navigator product line may seem confusing, but it doesnt have to be. And you cant do it with the mechanic whos already maintaining the airplane. A competent tech can generally rig a cabin door in an afternoon. A few words on avionics projects. the North American representative Belts: Replace / Upgrade; Piper; PA24/30/39 Comanche; PA24/30/39 Comanche FAA/TSO-C114 OEM quality AmSafe 3-point diagonal replacement restraints for PA24 & PA30 Comaches with existing factory installed shoulder harnesses, or a replacement for an STC installation. Accept that youll be a test pilot for a few hours. Its worth mentioning Garmins G500/600TXi PFD/MFD, which came out before the G3X Touch was certified. (Parts Department). Youll need them for support, including software and hardware upgrades as the systems mature. The airplane also gained cowl flaps and an aileron-rudder interconnect. // -->