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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 |
| Chuck Anderson, canderson65=woh.rr.com, 24.09.2010 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 !!! | | Douglas Pleatman, docdoug=pacbell.net, 12.09.2010 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. | | John Herron, j.herron=cox.net, 07.09.2010 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. | | Norman Yoss, neyoss=gmail.com, 04.07.2010 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. | | Bob Tomb, btomb2=wyoappr.com, 12.03.2010 Had one years ago, sold it, wish I never had, it was the finest civilian single engine aircraft I ever flew. | | Jim Nelson, jrnelson=rushmore.com, 26.02.2010 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. | | Tom Muller, tommuller=roadrunner.com, 30.01.2010 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. | | Richard Geisel-Churchill, rgeisel=gmail.com, 26.01.2010 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. | | kevin andrews, gilbertcarrie=hotmail.com, 25.01.2010 We are looking for a plane that we could take from Ontario Canada to Florida. Is this the right choice? | | John Pentland, johnpentland=msn.com, 17.01.2010 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. | | garry bernardo, garyjewelry=bellsouth.net, 12.09.2009 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 | | Russell Taliaferro, comanche24=bellsouth.net, 15.08.2008 I had a PA-24-250 for about 17 years and flew it from coast to coast and border to border. It was a fine airplane. I am a retired USAF fighter pilot, P-40 through F-4 & F-111. See my email designation. | | Vincent Brennan Jr, vblancer=yahoo.com, 22.06.2008 There was also a PA-24-400. An 8 cylinder, 400 horsepower engine gave the Commanche surprising performance! | | Frank Herold, enfherold=verizon.net, 01.05.2008 I have many pilot hours in N 9115 P PA24 - 260B. Pipers best aircraft. |
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