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| On 24 May 1956 Piper flew the prototype of a new single-engine four-seat cabin monoplane that it designated initially Piper PA-24 Comanche, but
which later became known as the PA-24-180 Comanche. A cantilever low-wing monoplane of all-metal construction, this very clean looking aircraft had such features as retractable tricycle landing gear, an all-moving tailplane and a 134kW Avco Lycoming O-360-A1A engine. The first production aircraft was flown on 21 October 1957, and from the outset it was available in four versions, the Standard with basic essential equipment, the Custom, Super Custom and AutoFlite having progressively more sophisticated equipment, the last of them introducing a two-axis autopilot.
The very convincing capability of the PA-24-180 Comanche was demonstrated at an early date by American pilot Max Conrad in establishing FAI-accredited world class distance records of 11211.83km in a straight line and 11138.72km in a closed circuit during 1959 and 1960 respectively, and in flying a PA-24-250 Comanche in 1959 over a straight-line distance of 12341.26km; these records remained unbroken in 1983. Mentioned in these records is the PA-24-250 Comanche which soon supplemented the PA-24-180 (1,143 built) and while basically similar differed by having the 186kW O-540-A1A engine; this variant was built to a total of 2,537. This was followed in 1964 by the PA-24-260 Comanche with a 194kW version of the O-540 engine, and this model was used by the UK's Sheila Scott between 18 May and 20 June 1966 to establish a new round-the-world class speed record, covering a distance of 46759km.
Last of the single-engine Comanches was the PA-24T-260 Turbo Comanche which introduced an IO-540 engine with a Rayjay turbo-charger to give considerably improved performance, and when production of the PA-24-260s ended in 1973 a total of 1,028 had been built, giving a Comanche grand total of 4,708.
| MODEL | PA-24T-260 |
| ENGINE | 1 x Avco Lycoming IO-540 flat-six turbocharged piston engine, 194kW |
| WEIGHTS |
| Take-off weight | 1451 kg | 3199 lb |
| Empty weight | 859 kg | 1894 lb |
| DIMENSIONS |
| Wingspan | 10.97 m | 36 ft 0 in |
| Length | 7.62 m | 25 ft 0 in |
| Height | 2.29 m | 8 ft 6 in |
| Wing area | 16.54 m2 | 178.03 sq ft |
| PERFORMANCE |
| Max. speed | 389 km/h | 242 mph |
| Ceiling | 7620 m | 25000 ft |
| Range | 2398 km | 1490 miles |
| Robert Easterling, e-mail, 27.12.2010 19:18 I had a 1962 PA-24-250 back in the 1990's. It was wonderful. Anything you could shove in the door it would lift and flying 1,000 plus miles at 140-145 kts was no problem. Had a "D" Model Bonanza before this. No comparison. My business "model" changed and having 3 kids in college at the time I sold it. Still think about it often. reply | | Bob Myers, e-mail, 22.12.2010 20:32 I owned N7509P, a 180hp Comanche, and never was there a more reliable, efficient airplane. I added an STec autopilot with altitude hold to 09P, and it was a dream to fly cross country. reply | | Paul Weber, e-mail, 16.12.2010 18:16 N8732P is still based at I-67!! The 1965 PA-24 is the best aircraft around!! reply | | Ed Miles, e-mail, 30.11.2010 19:54 I had the pleasure of owning 2 1963 pa24s. n8041p & n8187p..
cost and age(mine)resulted it their sale. 8187p got a gap seal job,an autopilot,a one piece windshield while I had her. Oh, a top overhaul with 1 /2 inch exhaust valves giving the io-540 a 2000hr tbo..I miss the bird alot... reply | |
| | mervyn farmer, e-mail, 21.11.2010 06:46 mervyn i had a 180 i put 800hrs on her i love to the owner now N5940P mervyn ps i live in THAILAND now mervyn reply | | Bob Sander, e-mail, 07.11.2010 14:45 I owned 8615P, I understand it was the last production 400
Comanche built. It was the "family mans fighter plane" 235 mph. burned 19 gph had 140 gallons on board.It was a once a day plane, hot starts impossible until Bendix replaced the mags. reply | | Bob Leonard, e-mail, 27.10.2010 08:29 I used a PA-24-250 to get my IFR rating in the late 50's. Smooth flying stable platform for Instrument work. Nice X-country single too. reply | | Dallas Smith, e-mail, 16.10.2010 19:08 Ex military interceptor pilot - F-89, F102. Loved this bird. I agree it is the sweetest thing Piper ever built. Like other Piper aircraft, it has unbelievable stability. I firmly believe that if a non IFR pilot was trapped above a solid overcast and his life was in threat, he could power down, wings level, yolk back in the lap and stall. If he didn't put any other screwball inputs, a Piper would take him wings level, all the way to the ground. I don't know of any other aircraft that has the stability to do that. Certainly not any Cessna product I ever flew. reply | | Kathleen and Ronald Willey, e-mail, 26.09.2010 16:19 I have been flying a Comanche for 20 years. I have also been
maintaining 2 Comanches for also 20 yrs.I also belong to the Comanche Society. N6465P PA-24-250 reply | | Chuck Anderson, e-mail, 24.09.2010 03:53 I had many hours in PA 24 (N6289P). Once lost the vacuum driven attitude indicator IFR over Jax. Only much military time under the hood flying partial panel using only the turn and slip and VSI...with much help from the good Lord prevented a disaster. Loved the airplane like a brother !!! reply | | Douglas Pleatman, e-mail, 12.09.2010 00:08 I've owned a PA-24-250 for 10 years now and I love the plane. A '61 with 90 gallons of fuel and I can fly for almost 7 hours. 145 knots and useful load of 1100 lbs plus. Quite a package, a great traveling machine and fun to fly. reply | | Norman Yoss, e-mail, 04.07.2010 23:29 You pilots out there. The most stable aircraft I have ever owned. Try a takeoff and landing using only rudder and trim. My PA24-250 N6673P did it just fine. reply | | Bob Tomb, e-mail, 12.03.2010 22:03 Had one years ago, sold it, wish I never had, it was the finest civilian single engine aircraft I ever flew. reply | | Jim Nelson, e-mail, 26.02.2010 19:28 I first flew a Comanche 250 in the Forbes AFB Aero Club in 1959. I have owned a 250 since 1987 and have upgraded with LoPresti Cowl and speed mods, Hartzell scimitar prop and a modern avionics panel. Its lines are as modern as any single engine production aircraft and I have had it all over the lower 48, cruising at 188mph /13gph, and as a great instrument platform. It is a trmendous value. reply | |
| | Tom Muller, e-mail, 30.01.2010 17:35 I built an RV-9A but my friend owns a 1958 Commanche 250. We pick the aircraft for the mission, the RV for two people and sightseeing, the Commanche for 3-4 and IFR and both airplanes for 5-6 people. Even though his airplane is almost 50 years older than mine, it is still a great machine with fantastic performance and delivers about the same fuel burn per passenger mile. I have lots of time in Cherokees, but agree with Frank, this has to be Piper's best. reply | | Richard Geisel-Churchill, e-mail, 26.01.2010 01:17 Completely renovated a 1960 Comanche 250...N7150P...got my IFR, and Commercial in her. 1700 hours and 8 years flew to the midwest, all along the west coast and Mexico. Hangered in Oceanside, Placerville and finally Rancho Murieta, Ca. What a great airplane. Last known she resides in NJ and was featured as a classic antique on a web site. reply | | kevin andrews, e-mail, 25.01.2010 00:10 We are looking for a plane that we could take from Ontario Canada to Florida. Is this the right choice? reply | | John Pentland, e-mail, 17.01.2010 02:07 I owned a PA-24-260B for about 10 years and it was an incredable bird. We traveled all over the west coast for over 1,000 hours. Enjoyed every minute. reply | | John Herron, e-mail, 07.09.2010 00:46 I first owned a PA24 250 (N6414P) for about6 years and loved it. I then upgraded to (N9468P), a PA24 260C (shark nose) this was the true love of my life. Wich I still had it. reply | | garry bernardo, e-mail, 12.09.2009 05:34 i have two piper planes a pa 30 twin and a pa24-250 both are fine aircraft . but the age is some times a bit costly reply |
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