Piper PA-24 Comanche#Comanche 180

File:1959ModelPiperPA-24Comanche.jpg

Two prototypes were built in 1956, with the first being completed by June 20, 1956. The first production aircraft, powered by a {{convert|180|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Lycoming O-360-A1A engine, first flew on October 21, 1957. In 1958, it was joined by a higher-powered PA-24-250 with a {{convert|250|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Lycoming O-540-A1A5 engine; this model was originally to be known as the PA-26, but Piper decided to keep the PA-24 designation.The PA-26 was later used as a designation for the Comanche 400, although it also retained the PA-24 designation for marketing.

In 1964, the {{convert|400|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} PA-24-400 was introduced. The following year, the PA-24-250 was superseded by the PA-24-260, featuring the Lycoming IO-540D or E engine of {{convert|260|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}. A turbocharged version using a Rajay turbocharger was introduced in 1970.Taylor, John WR, editor: Jane's Light Aircraft, page 165. Jane's Publishing Company, 1982. {{ISBN|0-7106-0195-6}}

Production of the Comanche ended in 1972, when torrential rains from Hurricane Agnes caused the great Susquehanna River flood of 1972, flooding the manufacturing plant and destroying airframes, parts, and much of the tooling necessary for production. Rather than rebuild the tooling, Piper chose to abandon production of the Comanche and Twin Comanche and continue with two newer designs already in production at Piper's other plant in Vero Beach, Florida - the PA-28R-200 Arrow and the twin-engined PA-34 Seneca.{{cite web|url = http://www.comancheflyer.com/NS/comanche_story.htm |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100413165354/http://www.comancheflyer.com/NS/comanche_story.htm |url-status = usurped |archive-date = April 13, 2010 |title = The Piper Aircraft Corporation, out of its Lock Haven, Pennsylv |access-date = 2013-07-26}}

File:PiperPA24-180.jpg

The original version of the Comanche was the PA-24-180, which featured a carbureted {{convert|180|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Lycoming O-360-A1A engine, swept tail, laminar flow airfoil, and all-flying stabilator.

The standard fuel capacity of the PA-24-180 was {{convert|60|USgal|L}}. The flaps were manually actuated, controlled by the same Johnson bar actuator as the Piper Cherokee. The aircraft specifications were for cruise speeds of {{convert|116|to|139|kn|km/h}} and fuel burns between {{convert|7.5|and|10.5|USgal/h|L/h}} at 55 and 75% power settings, respectively. Full-fuel payload with standard fuel was {{cvt|715|lb|abbr=on}}, with a gross weight of {{cvt|2550|lb|abbr=on}} and range with 45-minute reserve of {{cvt|700|nmi|km mi|abbr=on}}.{{Citation needed|date=February 2008}}

When new, standard, typically equipped Comanche 180s sold between $17,850 (1958) and $21,580 (1964). A total of 1,143 were built.{{Citation needed|date=February 2008}}

In 1958, Piper introduced a {{cvt|250|hp|kW}} version using a Lycoming O-540 engine, giving the PA-24-250 Comanche a top cruise speed of {{cvt|160|kn|mph km/h}}. Most 250s had carbureted Lycoming O-540-AIA5 engines, but a small number were fitted out with fuel-injected versions of the same engine. Early Comanche 250s had manually operated flaps and carried {{convert|60|USgal|L|abbr=on}} of fuel. Auxiliary fuel tanks ({{convert|90|USgal|L|abbr=on}} total) became available in 1961. Electrically actuated flaps were made standard with the 1962 model year.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}

The PA-24-250 was the most numerous of the single Comanches; 2,537 were built.

File:Piper-PA-24-260-Landing.jpg cowling on landing]]

File:Comanche4.jpg

Four 260-horsepower (194 kW) versions of the Comanche were introduced beginning in 1965. They were:

• PA-24-260 (1965)
• PA-24-260B (1966 to 1968)
• PA-24-260C (1969 to 1972)
• PA-24-260TC (Turbocharged 260C) (1970 to 1972)

A total of 1,029 airplanes were sold from the Comanche 260 line, including the 260TC.

The 260 had an empty weight around {{cvt|1700|lb|abbr=on}} and a maximum gross weight of {{cvt|2900|lb|abbr=on}}. It had four seats, and a {{convert|90|USgal|L|adj=on}}-capacity auxiliary fuel system was available as an option. Cruise speed was advertised as {{cvt|142|-|161|kn|kph mph|abbr=on}} with fuel burn of {{convert|10|to|14|USgal/h|L/h|abbr=on}}.

The 260B had an overall length {{cvt|6|in|mm|abbr=on}} more than the previous models due to a longer propeller spinner, not a longer fuselage. The 260B had a third side window and a provision for six seats. The fifth and sixth seats take up the entire baggage area and seat smaller adults, placarded to a total weight of {{cvt|250|lb}}. Typical empty weight was {{cvt|1728|lb|abbr=on}} and gross weight was {{cvt|3100|lb|abbr=on}}. Fuel burn was {{convert|11|to|14|USgal/h|L/h|abbr=on}} and advertised speed was {{cvt|140|-|160|kn|kph mph|abbr=on}}.

The 260C introduced a new "Tiger Shark" cowling, maximum gross weight of {{cvt|3200|lb|abbr=on}}, cowl flaps, and an aileron-rudder interconnect. Cruise speed was advertised as {{cvt|150|-|161|kn|kph mph|abbr=on}} with fuel flow of {{convert|12.5|to|14.1|USgal/h|L/h|abbr=on}}. To prevent possible aft center-of-gravity problems due to the increased gross weight and its fifth and sixth seats, the propeller shaft was extended. This moved the center of gravity slightly forward. With a useful load of {{cvt|1427|lb|abbr=on}}, it has the largest payload of all of the Comanches except the 400. Often mistaken on the ramp for the 400 model, the slightly longer cowling includes a distinctively longer nose gear door, as compared to the B models and older versions.

Starting in 1970, Piper offered a turbo-normalized variant of the PA-24-260 known as the 260TC with a Lycoming IO-540-R1A5 engine and dual Rajay turbochargers. Twenty-six were produced between 1970 and 1972. Advertised by Piper as a "second throttle", the turbochargers are controlled using a manual wastegate assembly that places an additional handle labeled "boost" next to the throttle handle in the cockpit, effectively creating a secondary throttle. The TC model is certified for flight to {{cvt|25000|ft|m|abbr=on}}, with an advertised turbo critical altitude of {{cvt|20000|ft|m|abbr=on}}, giving a maximum true airspeed of {{cvt|223|mph|kn kph|abbr=on}}.{{Cite book|title=Pilot's Operating Handbook Piper PA-24-260C|last=Killough|first=Douglas L.|publisher=Aircraft Publications|year=1996|location=Austin, Texas|pages=numerous}}

In 1967, one aircraft was modified with a {{convert|300|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Lycoming engine for trials. It did not enter production.

Two prototype aircraft were built in 1961. They were standard Comanche airframes, but had {{convert|380|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Lycoming IO-720-A1A engines with a three-bladed propeller. The design was modified with an even larger {{convert|400|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} engine and produced as the PA-24-400.{{harvnb|Peperell|Smith|1987|pp=111–112}}

The PA-24-400 Comanche 400{{cite web|url = http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library%5CrgMakeModel.nsf/0/F280E34C686E86358625720900758242?OpenDocument|title = PA-24-400 Type Certificate|access-date = 2007-11-30|last = Federal Aviation Administration|author-link = Federal Aviation Administration|date=August 2006}} was produced from 1964 to 1966. Only 148 PA-24-400s were built.

The Comanche 400 is powered by the {{cvt|400|hp|kW|0|adj=on}}, horizontally opposed, eight-cylinder Lycoming IO-720 engine, developed specifically for the model.{{cite web|url = http://www.lycoming.textron.com/engines/series/720-series-engines.html|title = Lycoming IO-720|access-date = 2008-12-19|last = Lycoming Engines|author-link = Lycoming Engines|year = n.d.}} Cooling problems have happened with the rear cylinders.

File:Piper PA-26-400 N8515P HAN 07.05.66 edited-3.jpg Air Show, Germany]]

The Comanche 400 has a three-bladed propeller and carries {{convert|100|USgal|L|abbr=on}} of fuel, or {{convert|130|USgal|L|abbr=on}} with optional extended tanks. Fuel burn was advertised as {{convert|16|to|23|USgal/h|L/h|abbr=on}}, at 55-75% power. The high fuel burn means that it is expensive to operate. The 400 had a typical empty weight of {{cvt|2110|lb|abbr=on}} and a maximum gross weight of {{cvt|3600|lb|abbr=on}}.

Book speeds for the PA-24-400 included a cruising speed of {{cvt|185|kn|kph mph|abbr=on}} and a top speed of {{cvt|194|kn|kph mph|abbr=on}}.{{cite web|url = http://www.airliners.net/aircraft-data/stats.main?id=301|title = The Piper PA-24 Comanche|access-date = 2008-12-20|last = Demand Media|year = 2008}}

While identical in planform to other PA-24 models, the 400 is structurally strengthened, primarily in the tail, with an extra nose rib in the stabilator and the vertical fin. The stabilator, vertical fin, and rudder of the 400 share virtually no common parts with the 180, 250, or {{convert|260|hp|abbr=on}} Comanches.

{{Main|Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche}}

File:Piper PA-33a.jpg

In 1967, a single Comanche was modified by Swearingen with a pressurized cabin. The prototype, powered by a {{cvt|260|hp|kW|adj=on}} Lycoming O-540 engine and equipped with Twin Comanche landing gear, was designated the PA-33.{{harvnb|Peperell|Smith|1987| p=225}} First flown on March 11, 1967, the prototype later crashed on takeoff in May 1967 and the project was cancelled.

In June 1959, Max Conrad flew a Comanche 250 on a record-breaking distance flight in Fédération Aéronautique Internationale C1-D Class, for aircraft from {{convert|3858|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} to less than {{convert|6614|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}. Having removed the interior seats and replaced them with fuel tanks, Conrad flew nonstop from Casablanca, Morocco, to Los Angeles, a distance of {{convert|7668|mi|km|0|abbr=on}}. When the aircraft took off from Casablanca, it was heavily overloaded and just cleared the airport fence.{{cite web|url = http://soloflights.org/conrad_text_e.html|title = Max Conrad|access-date = 2009-08-15|last = Meunier|first = Claude|date = December 2007|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081123052614/http://soloflights.org/conrad_text_e.html|archive-date = 2008-11-23}} The Comanche 250 Max Conrad flew for this flight is now located in the museum at the Liberal, Kansas, airport.

On November 24–26, 1959, Conrad flew a Comanche 180 on a distance record flight in FAI C1-C Class for aircraft taking off at weights from {{convert|2204|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} to less than {{convert|3858|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} that still stands: Casablanca to El Paso, Texas, {{convert|6966|mi|km|0|abbr=on}} nonstop, a distance of {{convert|6967|mi|nmi km|abbr=on}}, in 56 hours 26 minutes.{{harvnb|Taylor|1962|p=263}} He set a closed-circuit distance record in the same aircraft on July 4–6 November 1960, flying {{convert|6921|mi|nmi km|abbr=on}}.

On 14 May 1962, Kenneth Walker arrived in Brisbane, Australia, in a PA-24-250 on a delivery flight from San Francisco. Walker's flight was the first ever solo single-engine crossing of the Pacific, and the third solo crossing from the US to Australia. From Brisbane, Walker continued south to deliver the Comanche to the Royal Newcastle Aero Club at Maitland, New South Wales, Australia. {{cite journal |title=First Solo Single-Engined Crossing of the South Pacific |journal=Pacific Islands Monthly |date=1 June 1962 |volume=XXXII |issue=11 |page=139 |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-326547030/view?sectionId=nla.obj-335385436&partId=nla.obj-326624863#page/n139/mode/1up}}

File:Toku-Hanna.jpg

In July 1964, Henry Ohye, flying a 1961 PA-24-250, made the first successful trans-Pacific flight from the United States to Japan in a single-engined aircraft. He flew from Los Angeles to Tokyo with stops in Honolulu, Midway, Wake, Guam, and Okinawa.{{cite news|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=5 October 1964|title=Trans-Pacific Flier Returns on Airliner}}{{cite journal|journal=AWA Airways|date=Summer 2012|page=6}}

A 1966 Comanche 260B, named Myth Too and registered as G-ATOY, was owned by English aviator Sheila Scott. The aircraft, flown by Scott, holds 90 world-class light aviation records. It is on public display at the National Museum of Flight, Scotland.{{cite web |title=National Museum of Flight Scotland - Our aircraft |url=http://www.nms.ac.uk/pdf/National%20Museum%20of%20Flight%20collections.pdf |publisher=National Museums of Scotland |access-date=2009-07-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090806060711/http://www.nms.ac.uk/pdf/National%20Museum%20of%20Flight%20collections.pdf |archive-date=2009-08-06 }}

The circumnavigation by the oldest pilot on record in 1994 was made by Fred Lasby at age 82 in a Comanche 260B.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.comancheflyers.com/publication/view/comanche-flyer-march-2004/|magazine=Comanche Flyer|title=Around the World in a Comanche 260B|date=March 2004|volume=31|issue=3|page=34}}

• The 1963 Camden PA-24 crash – On March 5, 1963, country music singers Patsy Cline, Lloyd "Cowboy" Copas, and Hawkshaw Hawkins were on board a Comanche owned and piloted by Cline's manager, Randy Hughes, when it crashed in deteriorating weather near Camden, Tennessee, killing all on board.{{cite web|url = http://www.countrypolitan.com/bio-patsy-cline.php/|title = Patsy Cline|access-date = 2008-10-09|last = Anderson|first = Sherry|date = January 2001|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080927050344/http://www.countrypolitan.com/bio-patsy-cline.php/|archive-date = 2008-09-27}}

{{multiple image

|total_width = 500

| image1 = Piper PA-24-180 Comanche 3-view line drawing.png

| alt1 = 3-view line drawing of the Piper PA-24-180 Comanche

| caption1 = 3-view line drawing of the Piper PA-24-180 Comanche

| image2 = Piper PA-24-260 Comanche B 3-view line drawing.png

| alt2 = 3-view line drawing of the Piper PA-24-260 Comanche B

| caption2 = 3-view line drawing of the Piper PA-24-260 Comanche B

}}

File:Comanche cock.jpg

{{Aircraft specs

|ref=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1971–72{{Harvnb|Taylor|1971|pp=381–382}}

|prime units?=imp

|genhide=

|crew=1

|capacity=3–5 passengers

|length m=

|length ft=25

|length in=0

|span m=

|span ft=36

|span in=0

|height m=

|height ft=7

|height in=6

|wing area sqm=

|wing area sqft=178

|aspect ratio=7.28:1

|airfoil=NACA64₂A215

|empty weight kg=

|empty weight lb=1773

|gross weight kg=

|max takeoff weight lb=3200

|fuel capacity={{convert|60|USgal|impgal L|abbr=on}} normal, additional {{convert|30|USgal|impgal L|abbr=on}} in optional auxiliary tanks

|eng1 number=1

|eng1 name=Lycoming IO-540

|eng1 type=air-cooled six-cylinder horizontally-opposed engine

|eng1 kw=

|eng1 hp=260

|prop blade number=2

|prop name=Hartzell HC82XK1D metal constant-speed propeller

|prop dia m=

|prop dia ft=6

|prop dia in=5

|perfhide=

|max speed kmh=

|max speed mph=195

|max speed kts=

|max speed note=at sea level

|cruise speed kmh=

|cruise speed mph=185

|cruise speed note=at {{convert|6300|ft|m|abbr=on}} (max. cruise, 75% power)

|stall speed mph=

|never exceed speed mph=227

|range km=

|range miles=1225

|range note=at {{convert|10500|ft|m|abbr=on}} (auxiliary fuel tanks, 65% power)

|ceiling m=

|ceiling ft=19500

|climb rate ms=

|climb rate ftmin=1320

|more performance=*Takeoff run to {{cvt|50|ft}}: {{convert|1400|ft|m|abbr=on}}

• Landing run from {{cvt|50|ft|m}}: {{convert|1200|ft|m|abbr=on}}

|avionics=

}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{cite book |last=Peperell |first=Roger W |last2=Smith |first2= Colin M. |title= Piper Aircraft and their forerunners |year=1987 |publisher=Air-Britain |location=Tonbridge, Kent, England |isbn=0-85130-149-5}}
• {{cite book |last=Taylor |first=John W. R. |author-link= John W. R. Taylor|title=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1962–63 |year=1962 |publisher=Sampson Low, Marston & Company, Ltd. |location=London }}
• {{cite book |editor-last=Taylor |editor-first= John W. R. |editor-link=John W. R. Taylor |title=Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1971-72 |year=1971 |location=London|publisher=Sampson Low |isbn=0-354-00094-2 }}

{{Commons category|Piper PA-24 Comanche}}

{{Piper}}

{{Spanish trainer aircraft}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Piper Pa-24 Comanche}}

Comanche

Category:1950s United States civil utility aircraft

Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft

Category:Low-wing aircraft

Category:Aircraft first flown in 1956

Category:Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear

Category:Single-engined piston aircraft