View source for Piper PA-24 Comanche

{{Short description|American four- or six-seat monoplane built 1956–1972}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2022}}
{{Infobox aircraft
 |name= PA-24 Comanche
 |image= File:Pa24-N5760P-071126-01-16.jpg
 |caption=PA-24-250
 |type=Civil utility aircraft
 |national_origin= United States
 |manufacturer=[[Piper Aircraft]]
 |first_flight= May 24, 1956
 |introduction=1958<ref name="Plane and Pilot">Plane and Pilot: ''1978 Aircraft Directory'', page 64. Werner & Werner Corp, Santa Monica CA, 1977. {{ISBN|0-918312-00-0}}</ref>
 |retired=
 |status= 
 |primary_user=Private aviators
 |more_users=<!--up to three more. please separate with <br/>.-->Flight schools
 |produced=1957-1972
 |number_built=4,857
 |variants=
 |developed_into= [[Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche]] <br/>[[Piper PA-39 Twin Comanche]]<br />[[Ravin 500]]
}}

The '''Piper PA-24 Comanche''' is an American single-engine, low-wing, all-metal monoplane of [[semimonocoque]] construction with tricycle [[Landing gear|retractable landing gear]] and four or six seats.<ref name="pa24-105">{{harvnb|Peperell|Smith|1987|pp=.105–110}}</ref> The Comanche was designed and built by [[Piper Aircraft]] and first flew on May 24, 1956. Together with the PA-30 and PA-39 [[Piper Twin Comanche|Twin Comanche]]s, it made up the core of Piper's lineup until 1972, when the production lines for both aircraft were destroyed in the [[Lock Haven, Pennsylvania#Floods|1972 Lock Haven flood]].

==Design and development==
[[File:1959ModelPiperPA-24Comanche.jpg|thumb|right|A 1959 model PA-24]]
Two prototypes were built in 1956, with the first being completed by June 20, 1956.<ref name="pa24-105" /> The first production aircraft, powered by a {{convert|180|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[Lycoming O-360|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|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.<ref name="pa24-105" /><ref>The PA-26 was later used as a designation for the Comanche 400, although it also retained the PA-24 designation for marketing.</ref>

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 The following year, the PA-24-250 was superseded by the PA-24-260, featuring the [[Lycoming IO-540|Lycoming IO-540D]] or E engine of {{convert|260|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}.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

Production of the Comanche ended in 1972, when torrential rains from [[Hurricane Agnes]] caused the [[Lock Haven, Pennsylvania#Floods|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 [[Piper Cherokee|PA-28R-200 Arrow]] and the twin-engined [[Piper PA-34 Seneca|PA-34 Seneca]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>

==Variants==

===Comanche 180===
[[File:PiperPA24-180.jpg|thumb|1959 Piper PA-24 180]]

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 (vehicle)|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}}

===Comanche 250===
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.

===Comanche 260===
[[File:Piper-PA-24-260-Landing.jpg|thumb|right|PA-24-260 with [[Roy LoPresti|LoPresti]] cowling on landing]]
[[File:Comanche4.jpg|thumb|right|PA-24-260B with custom paint]]

Four 260-horsepower (194&nbsp;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 O-540|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}}.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

===PA-24-300===
In 1967, one aircraft was modified with a {{convert|300|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Lycoming engine for trials. It did not enter production.<ref name="pa24-105" />

===PA-24-380===
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.<ref name="pa24-111">{{harvnb|Peperell|Smith|1987|pp=111–112}}</ref>

===Comanche 400===
The PA-24-400 Comanche 400<ref>{{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}}</ref> was produced from 1964 to 1966.<ref name="Plane and Pilot" /> 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.<ref name="IO720">{{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|date = n.d.}}</ref> Cooling problems have happened with the rear cylinders. 
[[File:Piper PA-26-400 N8515P HAN 07.05.66 edited-3.jpg|thumb|right|Comanche 400, MSN 26-52, exhibited at the 1966 [[Hannover]] 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}}.<ref name="Airliners">{{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}}</ref>

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.

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

===PA-33===
[[File:Piper PA-33a.jpg|thumb|The PA-33 Pressurized Comanche prototype]]

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.<ref name="pa33">{{harvnb|Peperell|Smith|1987| p=225}}</ref> First flown on March 11, 1967, the prototype later crashed on takeoff in May 1967 and the project was cancelled.<ref name="pa33" />

==World records==

===Max Conrad===
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.<ref name="Meunier">{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Meunier" /><ref name="jawa62p263">{{harvnb|Taylor|1962|p=263}}</ref> 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}}.<ref name="jawa62p263"/>

=== Kenneth Walker ===
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. <ref>{{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}}</ref>

===Toku-Hana===
[[File:Toku-Hanna.jpg|right|thumb|Toku-Hana PA-24-250]]
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 Atoll|Midway]], [[Wake Island|Wake]], [[Guam]], and [[Okinawa Prefecture|Okinawa]].<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=5 October 1964|title=Trans-Pacific Flier Returns on Airliner}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|journal=AWA Airways|date=Summer 2012|page=6}}</ref>

===Myth Too===
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.<ref name="nms">{{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 }}</ref>

===Oldest circumnavigator===
The circumnavigation by the oldest pilot on record in 1994 was made by Fred Lasby at age 82 in a Comanche 260B.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

==Accidents==
*The [[1963 Camden PA-24 crash]] – On March 5, 1963, country music singers [[Patsy Cline]], [[Cowboy Copas|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.<ref name=" Countrypolitan.com">{{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}}</ref>

==Specifications (PA-24-260C)==
{{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|thumb|right|PA-24-260B cockpit]]

{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1971–72<ref name="jawa71p381-2">{{Harvnb|Taylor|1971|pp=381–382}}</ref>
|prime units?=imp
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|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=NACA64<sub>2</sub>A215
|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
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=[[Lycoming IO-540]]
|eng1 type=air-cooled six-cylinder horizontally-opposed engine
|eng1 kw=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng1 hp=260<!-- prop engines -->

|prop blade number=2<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop name=Hartzell HC82XK1D metal [[constant-speed propeller]]
|prop dia m=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia ft=6<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia in=5<!-- propeller aircraft -->

<!--
        Performance
-->
|perfhide=

|max speed kmh=
|max speed mph=195
|max speed kts=
|max speed note=at sea level
|cruise speed kmh=<!-- if max speed unknown -->
|cruise speed mph=185<!-- if max speed unknown -->
|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=
}}

==References==
{{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 }}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Piper PA-24 Comanche}}

{{Piper}}
{{Spanish trainer aircraft}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Piper Pa-24 Comanche}}
[[Category:Piper aircraft|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]]