Piper PA-24 Comanche
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Aeronca Model 7 Champion / L-16


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Martin Coddington, e-mail, 09.04.2021 23:52

The first paragraph of this page says it all: "this very clean looking aircraft". For me, in either cars or airplanes, appearance means a lot. We may love these machines for a lot of reasons but their appearance is what we always remember. In the early 70s I was working on my Commercial at Lloyd's Flying Service, Schaumburg IL. They owned Commanche 5737P and it was my 1st choice as a time builder, in large part for the #2 favorite thing we remember about planes of our past: the sound of that 250 horse six cylinder Lycoming. About 20 years after saying good-bye to 37P, I saw her on the ramp at DBQ. She had been ridden hard and put away wet but seeing her increased my pulse again. I still have great memories when I see one of these planes, despite 10,000 hours of flying since I touched one.


JAMES H. JONES, e-mail, 03.01.2017 03:13

I have a 1966 PA-24-180 that is located in NY, and the owner wants us to trailer it back to NC. Does anyone know how to take the wings off for trailering? I have a wing rack on my truck and a nice trailer.

Thanks,

James Jones


Colin, 14.09.2016 16:33

I fly a 260B I am in love with it what an aircraft ok there are fancier new planes around but value for money - TAS, payload, comfort, flying pleasure - I leave them in my wake in my venerable 1966 girl!


Bill Eburn, e-mail, 23.01.2015 15:32

I had my PA-24-250 "Chief 1" for a few years in the early 80's. I always thought of it as a "baby airliner" because of it's graceful wings. It beat the Bonanza and Mooney in performance and comfort. A pity that the Connecticut flood put it out of business.


Alan Vale, e-mail, 22.01.2015 19:59

I ferried a 250 Commanche HB-OTW from Ft. Lauderdale to Geneva in 1962. It's still flying with a 3-bladed prop and a sweet new paint job. It had tip tanks so I had 120 gallons of fuel in the wing, as I remember. I only needed a 55 gal. drum in the back.


David Ellett, e-mail, 21.07.2014 15:34

I was introduced to the Comanche by a friend and hire a 260B.
I have been flying it for a couple of years now, I use it for work some inter-state holidays.
The Comanche is such a fantastic plane, I just love it. Its really hard to find a plane which is such a good all rounder.
Speed, climb, handling, roomy , fuel capacity, fantastic load carrying and great classical looks. ! what more could you want.


Miyoko Suzuki, e-mail, 28.05.2014 10:58

Didn't the Comanche have an autopilot during the 1960s?


Marvin Stern, e-mail, 18.11.2013 16:40

I bought N7694P, a 250 model, in 1971 and flew it for 33 years. It was a great IFR platform and cross-country machine. If old age hadn't caught up to me I'd still be flying it!


Allen Stutheit, e-mail, 24.11.2012 04:42

I owned a PA-250 for many years. It was a great airplane. I noticed you left out the info for the 300hp version with the eight cylinder Lycoming IO-720 of which only a handful were made.


Marshall Welch, e-mail, 03.11.2012 21:56

I have owned a PA-180 since 1962. Still have it. Made 25 western trips from Pa.
Always felt that I was putting on a glove when I got in the airplane.
Have put 3 new engines in it. and had it painted with urethane once.
Beautiful, beautiful airplane. Still love that airplane.

Bill Piper told me it was the best airplane Piper ever built.
I am 83 now and just gave the plane to my 3 sons. all pilots.


Paul Harrington, e-mail, 18.09.2012 05:10

From about 1959 to 1963 The Army leased a PA-24-250 for me to get in my nessesary flight time for the Reserves This plane had dual instruments, auto pilot, tip tanks which gave it a cruising speed of about 210. Of all the planes I flew both on active duty and Reserve duty of 22+ years, it was the plane I loved the most both flying VFR and IFR.


Paul Bramkamp, e-mail, 10.07.2012 05:24

Fell in love with a '63 PA-24-250 we used in Search & Rescue in the Olympic Peninsula (CAC). Best plane for sudden turns and drops; found two kids in separate incidents and guided helo SAR to pick them up each time. Superb in bad weather, too!


Bill Johnson, e-mail, 09.07.2012 06:18

I owned 7212P, a 1964 250. Wife, a pilot, and I made many cross countries usually truing near 200. It was a real gentle hot rod. Long legs with 96 gal tanks, made it a dream. Sold it (mistake) because I was building a house. New owner took off on the wrong tank and drove it into a fence, totaling it.


dennis poore, e-mail, 15.12.2011 06:15

Piper did it's self proud withPA24. I owned 5671P in the late
80's An old fighter piolet told me she was the closet thing
to a P51 mustang in the civilan world. I loved that bird!!
she is flying yet, many hours to her.


Jim O'Brien, e-mail, 12.12.2011 02:34

I owned 9138p a1967 260b comanche for 13 years and put over 1500hrs in her. Bought it in 1978 in Mnandsold it in1990 in Arizona. A great airplane!


Gary Dayton, e-mail, 20.03.2011 22:39

I bought a 1960 250 Comanche in about 1968 and put 1,000 hours on it, great plane, toe brakes would have made it better. I got used to not having them. I flew in AZ, UT, WY, ID, NV. Most of my flying was Elko to Carson City NV. 6532P, it never let me down.


Peter Webb, e-mail, 04.02.2011 05:36

I still own a 1958, 250 Comanche VH-GED &after 26 years & 1700 hrs in the "old girl" have finally put it up for sale.It has been the most reliable,comfortable single ever built & has taken me, my wife & family all over (& around) Australia.153 knots @ 52ltrs/hr, Loved it.


Bob Frybarger, e-mail, 03.01.2011 19:16

Was a Piper dealer in l964-66 in San Jose, Cal. Had a 63 250 comanche and got my retractable time in it. Could put it in a power on stall, let go of the wheel and take my feet off the rudders and it would make 2 and one half up and down manuvers and level off by itself, it was so stable. Just recently bought a 63 with turbos and love it. I am now 84 years old and just recently got a two year medical, 3rd class.


Gordon Frodsham, e-mail, 30.12.2010 22:10

I also had the pleasure of owning a 1962 PA 24-250. I flew G-ARXG out of Blackpool UK in 1982 and had many happy experiences in her. What a wonderful airplane. She has apparently had a refit and colour change and is based in the south of England


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.


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.


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!!


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...


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


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.


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.


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.


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


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 !!!


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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?


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.


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


Russell Taliaferro, e-mail, 15.08.2008 19:31

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, e-mail, 22.06.2008 07:14

There was also a PA-24-400. An 8 cylinder, 400 horsepower engine gave the Commanche surprising performance!


Frank Herold, e-mail, 01.05.2008 04:18

I have many pilot hours in N 9115 P PA24 - 260B. Pipers best aircraft.




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