Twin Comanche Pilots

[Flyin Tony]

Well we are thinking of get rid of 8389P our 250 and getting a PA30 in the next 8-10 months (once I have my comerical and CFI-II). How do the things handle? Speed and fuel? Should we get a turbo? I live in Socal and fly above 10,000 in the 250 all the time. Are the turbo's worth it? How is it on one engine? Thanks for your help Tony

 

[Ralgha]

I've only flown one a little bit, but I liked it. It scoots along quite well, around 160KTAS if I remember correctly on about 16 GPH (total). Lots of people say they're hard to land well, but I didn't find it terribly hard. It does sit pretty low to the ground.

 

[Flyin Tony]

found some spec

Well I found some specs on the twin
PIPER PA30B TURBO T COMMAN
Engine: LYC IO-320-C1A 75% Cruise: 194 kts
Wingspan: 36.75 ft
Horsepower: 160
Stall: 60 kts
Length: 25.08 ft
Rec'md TBO: 1800 hrs
Range: 1100 nm
Height: 7.25 ft
Srv Ceiling: 30000 ft
Empty Wt: 2408 lbs
Max Fuel: 120 gal
Rate of Climb: 1460 ft/min
Gross Wt: 3725 lbs
Takeoff (over 50 ft obstacle): 1570 ft
Landing (over 50 ft obstacle): 1875 ft
Takeoff: 95 ft
Landing: 700 f
PIPER PA30B TWIN COMMANCHE
Engine: LYC IO-320-B1A 75%
Cruise: 168 kts
Wingspan: 36.00 ft
Horsepower: 160
Stall: 60 kts
Length: 25.08 ft
Rec'md TBO: 2000 hrs
Range: 770 nm
Height: 7.25 ft
Std Fuel: 90 gal
Srv Ceiling: 18600 ft
Empty Wt: 2210 lbs
Max Fuel: 120 gal
Rate of Climb: 1460 ft/min
Gross Wt: 3600 lbs
Takeoff (over 50 ft obstacle): 1570 ft
Landing (over 50 ft obstacle): 1875 ft
Takeoff: 950 ft
Landing: 700 ft

I read on the Comanche website that at FL240 you can get 214KNTS in cruise. I think I sold on the Twin comanche.

Anyone know about the 0-320 motors?

 

[vclean]

The turbochargers are the manual wastegate type, requiring you to monitor and adjust to prevent over-boosting. There are a couple ADs to look for on the RayJay turbochargers, fuel system, gear and corrosion. The IO-320 engine is reliable, popular and has good parts availability.

The aircraft is slippery and doesn't slow quickly. You will learn to plan your approaches to avoid having to cut power too rapidly.

In the olders models the panel layout isn't the familiar 'T'. The instruments are placed in a shotgun pattern. So you will have to modify your scan.

One thing keep in mind is many of the circuit breakers are under a small door on the floor forward of the instrument panel in the older models. The potential for vertigo is increased if IMC and you having to reach down under a floor panel to reset a breaker.

The airplane was fun to fly and easy on gas. Look for the PA-39 if you want counter-rotating props.

 

[350DRIVER]

Once upon a time long ago I did get a check out in one at Lentz Flying service at EFD and from what I remember (which isn't too much) was that it was a fun airplane to fly for the most part. Had a few enjoyable flights from EFD to GLS, not sure if it was due to the equipment or the nice scenery. I do recall that during the initial checkout that you are pretty slow at numerous points close to the ground that could be problematic if you got side tracked and let things progress in the wrong direction. I was not a fan of the manual flaps that this plane had and this supposebly has been linked to a few incidents in these airplanes due to the handle coming loose and going right back down to the ground at the least desirable times.


I would make sure that if/when you do transition into this aircraft that you get a pretty complete and thorough checkout with someone who is experienced in the aircraft.

It is a fun plane as long as you fly it as suggested and you pay attention to the speeds and limitations, although that is pretty much true with any airplane..

good luck,

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[Citationkid]

Lots of people say they're hard to land well, but I didn't find it terribly hard.

Get one with the Robinson stall kit and you'll never have a problem landing it.

How is it on one engine?

Another good thing about the Robinson kit, it won't snap roll on you when you loose an engine You could fly that thing all day on one engine.

 

[taxicabdriver]

Its been a while, but I got my multi in the twin-killer. It was a good flying airplane, handled nice and good speed for a relatively low fuel burn. I wouldn't suggest getting turbos unless you are gonna hop across the mountains or fly heavy a lot. Those turbo-charged engines are a lot more picky about how you fly them and tend to crap out right at or before TBO.

 

[350DRIVER]

Get one with the Robinson stall kit and you'll never have a problem landing it.

Easier said than done... I can think of many of other light twins that were much easier to land than this aircraft.
It is not a hard plane to fly at all but it does get a tad touchy slow and low..

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[SATCFI]

Have you checked the insurance on a twin commanche? I think you will be shocked.

 

[Flyin Tony]

Well I looked into the insurance today and well a twin is out of the picture now
it was anywhere from 5-7 grand. AOPA and all the others.

 

[350DRIVER]

problem solved.


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