piper comanche engine upgrade

Legroom is good for both pilots and passengers, and the cabin is definitely more spacious than the Arrow that followed. A side benefit of the standard turbo installation is that its quieter than the normally aspirated Comanche C. The -N1A5 engine, beefed up to handle the boost pressure and higher temperatures at altitude, is just as robust as the normally aspirated engine; both have a 2000-hour TBO. assembly. Sun n Fun 2023: Superior Custom Instrument Panels. Supports diversity (top and bottom antenna). Call your Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), he said. facilities and look us over. "Piper manufactured the Comanche line as their first all-metal airplane. After years of distance-traveling in my airplane (to places I never would have visited if it werent for my Comanche), I believe a full-featured autopilot is perhaps the most useful avionics system you can buy. Budget Buys: The 'Baby' Comanche - AOPA In my opinion, there is no reason to own a 180 Comanche unless you are consumed with fuel range and can tolerate the vibration from the engine being so far out from the firewall. The old boys that I learned to fly with would say that if you can shut the door on whatever you got into a Comanche, it would fly away without a problem. Theres good reason to consider going vac-less. This website contains many older reviews. Piper Comanche Guide and Specs - Aviator Insider Piper Comanche - AOPA - Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association PRODUCTS], info@johnstonaircraft.com Like the first two installments of this series, were making this article free to all website visitors. I would prove that time and again in my Comanche 250. This adds big to the installation effort and bottom line. With a tapered laminar-flow wing, respectable speed (big-engine models make downright impressive numbers), solid handling and lots of available speed mods, the right Comanche could be one of the most desirable vintage piston singles. Also, the inspector must have experience using this equipment.. The Piper Owner Society would like to thank the following contributors: A sampling of quotes from this first webinar. The Rajay system essentially had a second throttle wastegate control the pilot used to manually set boost at altitude. A complex light twin, with retractable landing gear, seating 4 (in original models) to 6 (in later models), and cruise speeds ranging from 160-210 mph on twin 150-160 horsepower engines, it competed with the more-powerful Cessna 310 and Beech Baron . And that creates a problem. I remember seeing something regarding an upgrade STC for various 4 and 6 cylinder engines (172/182, etc). Arch-Warrior, Inc. offers an STC to covert a Warrior to 180 HP. Prices vary with engine size, but start at around $5000 plus installation. After 34 years, the first flight of N6494P took place at Zephyrhills Airport, three days before leaving on a trip to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, just in time for AirVenture in July and August 2021. A turbonormalized version of the Comanche C was offered alongside the normally aspirated model in 1970. Piper Comanche: - Aviation Consumer When I purchased the new cylinders, Zephyr Aircraft Engine said, Do not install cylinders and pistons right from the factory, you want to have them blueprinted.. With a gross weight significantly lower than later Comanches, cabin payload with full standard fuel (60 gallons) is about 660 pounds-think three-person airplane. The Piper Comanche: The First Modern Piper - Disciples of Flight Piper PA-24 Comanche Review | Piper Owner Society SE 57 WE Installation of two Roto-Master Turbochargers P/N 600572-00 on Continental TSIO-520-D engine. Just mows through turbulence, unlike my t-wagging Bonanza. Since its important that the flight controls are properly rigged (while ensuring the landing gear and landing gear doors are retracted fully and fit flush) this should be the first step before any aftermarket mods are installed. The 100-pound rise in gross gave the airplane a hefty 1427-pound useful load. The engines are identical, but with a different propeller redline. Its pretty much plug and play. var a=new Image(); a.src=img; return a; Speaking of ICS, owners tell us the group is an exceptionally good resource for Comanche owners. Upgrading a Comanche Panel (Comanche Restoration Series Part 4) | Piper (Parts Department). He had just flown non-stop across the Atlantic Ocean from Casablanca on a record-setting 6,966-nm flight. (Aircraft Sales/General Info), parts@johnstonaircraft.com *$4495 with Flight Stream 210 (built-in AHRS), version for helicopters. Email: darren@powerflowsystems.com, Address: It doesn't take much carb heat to even out distribution. Models: 210G, 210H, 210J, T210G, T210H, T210J. Garmins GFC500 started life as an autopilot for experimental aircraft, but now has a sizable STC list for certified aircraft. Of all the avionics upgrades, planning a primary flight display retrofit is perhaps the most difficult. Display compatibility with several third-party systems for ADS-B In, including Garmin GTX345, L3 Lynx 9000 Series, and FreeFlight RANGR UAT. It's a pricey and time-consuming effort that many Belvoir Media Group, LLC. Find your Customer Number (its on your mailing label) and register here. Their excellent build quality with total corrosion proofing before assembly and compound curve panels meant that the underlying cost structure was greater than emerging designs from either Piper or its competitors. It offers a magazine as well as other resources and can be reached at 888-300-0082 or via the website at www.comancheflyers.com. There were a number of different models built during that . Better yet, the Max gives existing Aspen owners an upgrade path, plus it runs upgrade promotions (currently $4995) and can upgrade your existing display or send your shop an exchange. I didnt want any dealer-only installations; that was #2, Piehl said. For instance, its possible to retrofit (via STC) the Lycoming O-540 engine into a Comanche 180 of 1960 or later vintage; theres at least one published report of this being done on an FAA Form 337, although we dont know of any shops offering the mod without doing the full-up STC. Garmin GNC 255A Nav/Comm. After 34 years, the first flight of N6494P took place at Zephyrhills Airport, three days before leaving on a trip to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, just in time for AirVenture in July and August 2021. Has built-in WAAS GPS receiver, diversity (requires top and bottom antenna installation), tablet interface requires Flight Stream wireless Bluetooth module, ForeFlight or Garmin Pilot app. Daytona Beach, FL 32114. SKYTRONICS IGNITION HARNESSES, CHAMPION PRODUCTS, LP PLASTICS, WHELEN LIGHTING. For training info, try www.comanchetraining.com. By the time these models were introduced, the Comanches production run was about to end without warning, so this variant is comparatively rare. Initially the airplane was equipped with hand brakes, but after 1960 most Comanches were delivered with optional toe brakes. if(MSFPhover) { MSFPnav2n=MSFPpreload("_derived/comwingtips.htm_cmp_jas110_hbtn.gif"); MSFPnav2h=MSFPpreload("_derived/comwingtips.htm_cmp_jas110_hbtn_a.gif"); } "COMANCHE". I actually contacted them and asked them what color that is. Requires WAAS GPS input, tablet interface requires Flight Stream wireless Bluetooth module, Garmin Pilot or ForeFlight app. Thats working out to the benefit of avionics buyers, especially ones with lower budgets. This issue (April 2022), the Comanche restoration moves to the interior, where Greg replaced almost everything inside the hull. Its a buyers market with lots of choices. For comparison, an American. For belt-and-suspender backup thats self-contained in the radio stack, we think Avidynes IFD550 navigator is a worth a look, especially if youre looking to step up and out of an aging Garmin GNS530. Subsequent Comanche models both single- and twin-engine were built until 1972. [ag Oh, and it looks good, too. In this installment, from the May 2022 issue, we move to the panel, and again we see how Comanche plane owner Greg Piehl utilized his skills and his professional workshop to upgrade his plane in a way that teaches us how ingenuity can play a role and allow you to do some of this work yourself. If the G5 attitude instrument fails, the directional instrument reverts to an attitude display. At this point the ADS-B buy-in decision should be easy. Piper's most significant upgrade to the Warrior came in 1977 when a slightly different O-320 engine-the -D3G-was bolted on, offering a . The installation was straight-forward with no surprises. After 34 years, the first flight of N6494P took place at Zephyrhills Airport, three days before leaving on a trip to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, just in time for AirVenture in July and August 2021. The navigator also sends GPS nav and course data into the displays over an ARINC 429 data stream. Comanche is my favorite Piper single. The same goes for the interior, obviously, although weve seen some Comanches decked out with some pretty nice and modern custom leather seating and trim. The plane has not been a drain maintenance wise. Garmin will upgrade it to the GTX330ES, which has ADS-B Out, but requires a WAAS GPS input. Which of the reductions is smaller is too hard to say, but the difference isn't going to be significant. Were putting the finishing touches on an engine monitor roundup for a future issue of Aviation Consumer, but well give you a brief primer here. As one result, many have opted to replace their old Hartzells for new two- or three-blade Hartzell or McCauley propellers, which terminates the AD. (replacing the carbureted O-320/360 engine/prop with a fuel-injected Piper Arrow IO-360 propulsion system . Also, as with the fuel injection system, earlier airplanes can have a turbo added. Fortunately, there are a number of cost effective aerodynamic improvements that we developed that can easily add 3 to up to 15 MPH, while also improving rate of climb, slow speed handling (reduced stall speed, improved aileron control) and save you fuel. The cabin itself is roomy and comfortable with good width, if a bit drafty and noisy, say some owners. Standalone ADS-B Out and In, wireless Bluetooth connectivity with Flight Stream 110/210. This was once a flagship monitor with a good display. I believe the payoff was at about 400 hours on a 172 with the reduced fuel burn, and not having to maintain a carb. Garmin GI 106B Course Deviation Indicator. Piper Warrior - Aviation Consumer Lets equip and move on because the real news in the avionics market is the serious surge in competition, combined with a shift from expensive TSO approvals to STCs. Aircraft Panel Gallery. The Comanche 180 was introduced in 1957, and the PA-24-250, the 250 HP version, followed soon after in 1958. Realistically, youll want to budget $2000 for an easy installation (including the strobe light), paperwork and flight testing, and a bit more if the light doesnt exactly bolt directly in place of the existing lamp assembly. Buying (an airplane) is not as hard as dealing with it in the first few years. The Comanche hit the market running in 1958 and in its first production year, Piper offered the 180-HP PA-24-180 (Lycoming O-360) and the 250-HP PA-24-250 (Lycoming O-540). Parts 1 and 2 of this Piper Comanche restoration series are also free to read. Garmin will upgrade it to the GTX330ES, which has ADS-B Out, but requires a WAAS GPS input. So that was #1 on my list: The avionics I chose had to communicate with the other avionics., His next requirement was the ability to self-install the instruments, with the help of his A&P. Never created a website login before? How to paint interior plastic trim, step by step instructions with photos. PA-NAC1P: Option: Nacelle Panels 27-4426, 27-4574 On 64-81: PA-NP2S: Option: Nose Panels Aztec Six Place No Ice PA-NP2P: Option: Nose Panels Aztec Six Place No Ice PA-NP3S: Option: Nose Panels Aztec Six Place Ice Shields PA-NP3P: Option: Nose Panels Aztec Six Place Ice Shields PA-FD1W: Option: Fuel Doors Winged LoPresti did create some interesting and worthwhile aerodynamic mods for the airplane, however. Shop labor effort and rates are at an all-time high and good shops are busy. The idea is to arm you with enough knowledge to talk the talk with your avionics shop when they make suggestions for a package. It has a battery backup in case of electrical failure and can be paired with the $2549 G5 heading/electronic HSI instrument for dual ADAHRS redundancy. Pick one and work to maintain a good relationship. Product Brochure - click here to download Note: if you have an O-360 powered PA28-140, or an early model PA28-150, -160, or -180 (1964 or earlier PA28 Its also time for our ADS-B buyers guide, and it follows this article. In other words, our equipment had to talk with anything else installed in theairframe. A prop inspection (AD 2005-18-12) is the most oft-complained about, costing nearly $1000 every 500 hours or five years. You might hear some say the Comanche is tough to land smoothly, and that it floats when in the flare, and then drops on. Ive seen some IAs do the six-cylinder engine conversion and sign it off with a logbook entry. PROPELLER and TEXTRON LYCOMING. AXP322 is remote version. The Ultimate Twin Comanche - AOPA Our journey has reached the engine of Greg Piehls Comanche. by Rocky Landsverk | Sep 14, 2022 | Comanche Restoration Series, Upgrade & Refurbish | 0. Other than the obvious boost in confidence and reliability, getting rid of all that hardware sheds sizable weight and clutter behind the instrument panel. Not many vintage singles in its class can match that. Thats more than twice the rate we expect to see on retracts-and is cause for concern for a potential buyer. That is because of a simple fact that anybody who has painted their house or restained their deck knows: Strip and prep are the most time-consuming part of the paint job, by Piper Owner Society | Jun 8, 2022 | Maintenance, Upgrade & Refurbish | 0. Complete replacement of your exhaust system. Continentals are easy to hot start, full throttle, mixture rich, hi pump till you get flow, 1,2,3,4, off. Log in and start reading now. Piper did the turbo 260 installation the right way by providing check valves and a turbo oil sump. Thats the 20 to 22 GPH at 75 percent power that engine is consuming. Its sturdy, which it makes it a good instrument airplane, plus its easy to fly in busy traffic patterns since its comfortably flown slow or fast. Piper Comanche PA-24 Models. Everything Laminar Flow Systems makes has integrity, a design philosophy which puts the pilot 1st!