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The Piper Twin Comanche is one of the few successful aircraft
types where a twin engine variant was derived from a single.
The single Comanche came in a wide range of versions, right up
to the Comanche 400 with a cruise speed of 190kt!
The Comanches were always known as a luxurious, efficient and
fast aircraft and these characteristics carried on to the Twin
Comanche. As a result, the International Comanche Society has
been a strong organisation for many years, and provides a valuable
source of information about Comanches, and their owners and pilots!
No other similar light twin has such an organisation of devoted
followers!
The Twin Comanche has two fuel injected Lycoming IO-320 engines,
developing 160HP each. The Twin Comanche has such an efficient
airframe design that it comfortably achieves a cruise speed of
160kt.
This airframe design includes gap seals on flaps and ailerons,
flush riveted wings (similar to the Mooney - also well known for
speed) and an extremely efficient engine cowl design.
Fuel load in the PA30 is excellent, with main, auxiliary and
tip tanks giving an endurance of almost 7 hours. Fuel management
is simple, with no requirement to transfer fuel from one tank
to another.
Cabin room is exceptional, with the PA30 originally having 6
seats. At Basair we operate the aircraft purely as a four seat
aircraft, giving a large baggage compartment, and plenty of legroom
for passengers. A clever cockpit design leaves the entire floor
space clear for nav bags, maps, and equipment.
Single engine performance in the Twin Comanche is no better and
no worse than other similar size twins. Any twin pilot will know
that the engine failure after takeoff in any of these aircraft
is a very dangerous situation, and must be carefully planned for.
Basair has two Twin Comanches available for training and hire.
The fuel uplift of almost 7 hours endurance makes the PA30 ideal
for that long trip you have planned, or that long flight over
water you don't want to do in a single!
Basair is pleased to announce the installation of a full colour
moving maps GPS system in our Twin Comanche VH-LEU. Click here
for more details.
Further information:
NASA
uses a Twin Comanche!
Specifications
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Engines
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Lycoming IO-320 160 HP
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Oil Capacity
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8 Litres
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Total Fuel Capacity
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453 Litres
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Useable Fuel
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430 Litres
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Fuel Consumption
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70 Litres / hour
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Cruise TAS
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160 Kt
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Best Angle Of Climb
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80 Kt
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Best Rate Of Climb
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105 Kt
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Best Rate Of Climb (single engine)
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91 Kt
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Cruise Climb
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110 Kt
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Approach Speed
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75-85 Kt
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Crosswind Component
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15 Kt
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Vfe
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110 Kt
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Vle
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130 Kt
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Max. Take Off Weight
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1633 (1690 with tip fuel) Kg
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Max. Landing Weight
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1633 Kg
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Takeoff P-chart is available online.
Landing P-Chart is avalable online.
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