Click here or above for a free download: Cherokee guide OR free digital issue. SKYTRONICS IGNITION HARNESSES, CHAMPION PRODUCTS, LP PLASTICS, WHELEN LIGHTING. If the aircraft has traditional round gauges, do you want to get rid of the vacuum system in favor of an all-electric suite? We pride ourselves that we can make your Comanche go Faster, It went up in January when the panel upgrade was completed. Meanwhile, the ultimate in wretched excess, or perfection, depending on your point of view, has to go to the Comanche 400. Pilots who dont understand the undercarriage and its various procedures, particularly the emergency extension procedure, also are a source of problems. Any thoughts or ideas? The datalink processor connects in line with the existing transponder antenna and has a built-in WAAS GPS. Display name: Doug. While many Comanches sport three-blade propellers, some could have old clamp-style propellers. Garmin G5 Electronic Flight Instrument. Dual turbochargers allow operation at altitudes up to 25,000 feet. PA23-250 Aztec. to eliminate the repetitive inspections of the factory unit. Piehl said Zephyr did a triple-angle valve job in rebuilding this Comanche engine, blueprinting the pistons and cylinders, and stuffed the pistons in the cylinders, ready for him to assemble onto the rods and the crankcase. Step one is to evaluate the existing flight instruments and look toward the future. install a One-Piece Windshield, our High Performance good looking Wingtips, one My performance improvements are way beyond anything I expected. But as budget-based as these solutions are, shops still report that the most popular ADS-B upgrade is Garmins GTX345 ADS-B In and Out transponder. We like that it keeps grime and dirt away from wheel assembly. It put the Comanches on the map. On takeoff there might be a tendency for the Comanche to wheelbarrow in crosswinds when holding the nose down to prevent the airplane from coming off the ground. This requires the use of micrometers, calipers, thickness gauges, and other measuring equipment to ensure that all parts meet the tolerances required by the engine manufacturer. Theres also an extensive wireless (Bluetooth and Wi-Fi) interface for connecting the IFD to external devices, including an iPad running Avidynes IFD100 app, in addition to ForeFlight. The extra 10 GPH the big-engined Comanche 400 burns yields only about 10 to 15 extra knots. This assumes that you have wheelpants on the airplane; if you don't, subtract 2 knots. Diversity Mode S transponder with ADS-B Out when connected with an appropriate WAAS GPS. A turbonormalized version of the Comanche C was offered alongside the normally aspirated model in 1970. Pending TSO certification. We have been in the Aviation Support Business Posted by Rocky Landsverk | Sep 13, 2022 | Comanche Restoration Series, Upgrade & Refurbish This "rebuilding a Piper engine" article is from Greg Piehl, who lives in St. Petersburg, Florida, with his wife Debbie, spent three years restoring and upgrading their 1959 Piper Comanche 250. We had requirements, in our MIL specs, that our avionics must communicate with the established protocols. SAVE Last Update: 04/10/2023 . 24WS, Arapaho Dorsal Fin. The fifth and sixth seats, when available, are suitable only for children or the smallest of adults. Top Efis Upgrades Of all the avionics upgrades, planning a primary flight display retrofit is perhaps the most difficult. The Piper Arrow has similar engine benefits. The 180, which obviously came second to its bigger brother in load carrying and was not selling as well as the 250, was dropped altogether while the 250 was upgraded to the 260. [ag aircraft] Last edited: Oct 6, 2013. The company also offers a stainless steel dual exhaust system. I have over 30 years experience owning, flying, maintaining and modifying aircraft, including Piper Comanches. Yes, you can usually run fine with one or two a shade LOP, and the rest at or rich of peak, but not all of them. Theres also a good supply of aftermarket and PMAd parts for commonly needed items. Oh, and it looks good, too. I see no one else other than Robin Thomas who makes a promise that if youre not satisfied, no questions asked, you get your money back. Top Avionics Upgrades: Choices For All Budgets, Shopping For A Seaplane: Pick A Price Point, Sun n Fun 2023: Superior Custom Instrument Panels. And an airplane thats been all over the hangar floor for a month or longer-now with unfamiliar avionics-is a poor match for the nonproficient pilot. New prop 50 hours. 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. 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. There are so many mods available for the Comanche line that probably no two aircraft are alike today. Before even asking a shop for a price quote, bring them the aircraft. If a stock Twin Comanche catches your eye, then get a . 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 A competent tech can generally rig a cabin door in an afternoon. Ive taken the course twice. By then, Piper was already established in Vero Beach, Florida, but neither the single nor the Twin Comanche variants made the transition to Vero. The Comanche 180 was introduced in 1957, and the PA-24-250, the 250 HP version, followed soon after in 1958. It tends to be nose-heavy on landing so I use a lot of nose-up trim for an easier flare. The International Comanche Society has been an invaluable resource for me. This rebuilding a Piper engine article is from Greg Piehl, who lives in St. by Rocky Landsverk | Sep 9, 2022 | Avionics, Comanche Restoration Series, Upgrade & Refurbish | 0, by Rocky Landsverk | Sep 9, 2022 | Comanche Restoration Series, Upgrade & Refurbish | 0. Check a copy of the Comanche Flyer magazine or the ICS website www.comancheflyers.com for examples. Correct me if I am wrong: Carb icing is less possible with FI and Vapor Lock is more likely with FI so it is a trade off in that department. We are now The mods that can offer the most speed include relocating the brakes to the inside of the gear forks, gap seals, wheel well slippers and wingroot fairings, both front and rear. And you cant do it with the mechanic whos already maintaining the airplane. Its pretty much plug and play. (parseInt(navigator.appVersion) >= 4 ))); How do you test an engine after a rebuild without mounting it back onto the plane? Its worth mentioning Garmins G500/600TXi PFD/MFD, which came out before the G3X Touch was certified. *$4495 with Flight Stream 210 (built-in AHRS), version for helicopters. (Set of Two) 2430WT, Gear Lobe Fairing Kit. This website contains many older reviews. 24GS $879.54 Choose Options sku: 30RS Rudder Gap Seal Kit. And if your existing transponder is an aging non-digital (has a cavity oscillator tube) model, our advice is to ditch it and put in an ADS-B transponder. PA23, PA23-160 Apache. Still, the respected International Comanche Society (ICS) reports the best way to learn to land-and fly-this machine is to get some dual from an expert in the type, not the local flight school unless they have a Comanche expert on hand-and some schools even have Comanches. Youll need them for support, including software and hardware upgrades as the systems mature. Piper Lance Restoration Continues With Dual Electronic Ignition Upgrade This is the second of two by Scott Sherer | Sep 15, 2022 | Upgrade & Refurbish | 0. It offers an excellent blend of speed, fuel economy, control feel, and range. Internal WAAS $5795, GTX345-R LRU priced the same and works on G1000 NXi, G2000, G3000, G5000. Parts 1 and 2 of this Piper Comanche restoration series are free to read. Its also time for our ADS-B buyers guide, and it follows this article. The Piper PA 28, 32 and 34 series of aircraft are world renowned for their durability and overall reliability, but they werent built to maximize performance. You might hear some say the Comanche is tough to land smoothly, and that it floats when in the flare, and then drops on. Also note that this engine has some really cool colors. The idea is to arm you with enough knowledge to talk the talk with your avionics shop when they make suggestions for a package. or Write for our Comanche Catalog With the plane on jacks, swing the gear and look for loose fits and bushings. The Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche was designed as a twin-engined variant of the Piper PA-24 Comanche. Most of us have heard horror stories about the person who built a dock or deck next to the lake without calling the Department of Natural Resources. Some of the engine parts were sent around the country, reconditioned, and sent back to Florida, where Piehl worked on it. Recurring ADs on any aircraft can run up the cost of operation, and Comanches are no different. The straight roofline giving theComanche its distinctive crewcut looks also reduces visibility upward, although its not as bad as some airplanes and does provide welcome shade in hot climates. Read about the 1959 Piper Comanche that was restored to pristine condition, and what you can learn from the process. What makes this system our top pick for a high-end EFIS is the number of display options and the 500-plus approved model STC. There were a number of different models built during that . You cant go to a mechanic who you both know. Click here or above for a free download: Cherokee guide OR free digital issue. Given their size, expect your shop to do substantial panel rework to make the big-screen display fit in a location thats within your scan and reach. In 1961, the gross weight of the 250 was boosted by 100 pounds. If you wanted to start out with a cheaper airframe, buy a 180-HP model and do a 260-HP conversion with fuel injection. Contrast that with the G3X Touch, which essentially requires a Garmin navigator for its digital data bus interface. Garmin GMA 35c Remote-mount Bluetooth Audio Panel. We know of one flight school that had a Comanche on its flight line and it required renters to perform gear extensions and retractions with the airplane on jack stands. And I purchased six new Superior Millennium cylinders and pistons for the overhaul; I didnt want to use the originals, in fact I sold those off to an airboat shop in central Florida. These two models remained in production until 1964. The trick-as it is with any older aircraft-is finding a shop or technician experienced in the type. Very clean west cost Comanche. You aren't after the fuel flow reduction FROM the less dence air, but after the smoother air/fuel mix and the greater leaning allowed. SA 97 SO Installation A, B, or C of . If you already invested in Aspens Evolution retrofit EFIS, you probably recognize that the system can use a jumpstart in processing speed and graphics display. The performance change has been incredibleI cant begin to explain how different the plane feels. And you should. Piper Comanche PA-24 Models. Aftermarket gear warning systems are also a good investment to supplement the system originally installed. How can you improve the oil-change interval from 25 hours to 50 hours on a legacy Piper. The Piper PA-24 Comanche is a single-engined, low wing, all-metal light aircraft, with retractable landing gear and either four or six seats. General Tiger with fixed gear goes just as fast and another contemporary retractable, the Mooney M20C or M20E, will outrun the 180. The installation included dual Garmin G5 digital flight instruments, a PMA450 audio system, Garmin GTN 650 WAAS/GPS navigator and a GNC 255A VHF radio. If youve already invested in a modern transponder upgrade and dont fly above 18,000 feet, one top pick is the uAvionix skyBeacon wingtip unit with LED position and strobe lamps. 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. Other than accepting a heading input from Aspens Evolution PFD, in addition to Garmins G500/600 PFD, the Avidyne ARS is self-contained. rebuilds of your existing Piper factory. I wanted to do something like I saw in the EAA Museum, where they have a display of every aircraft engine ever built, on stands. A prop inspection (AD 2005-18-12) is the most oft-complained about, costing nearly $1000 every 500 hours or five years. Unless otherwise noted, these reviews carry product pricing from the time of the original review. has WAAS GPS, touchscreen, displays traffic and weather on some aspen, avidyne and garmin displays. Do you need a field approval to start or finish a panel upgrade? New aircraft models approved for the GFC 600 autopilot include: Cessna 421. This is a great airspeed for 160 hp and roughly 10 gph of 100LL. Prices vary with engine size, but start at around $5000 plus installation. Upgrade & Refurbish. The Electronics International MVP-50 is another. Also, the inspector must have experience using this equipment.. If you already have a healthy and modern transponder and you dont plan to fly high, Garmins GDL82 UAT solution sells for $1795-the second cheapest. Can you rewire and move the circuit breakers on a Piper. To gain a disproportionately greater benefit in economy. I didnt really want to paint the engine all Lycoming gray, Piehl said. There were a few companies involved in this stage. With practice and with the gear down, finals for a precision approach can be flown at 130 knots and, with the gear up, even faster. The 180 Comanches load-carrying capacity is ample but modest. 2-blade. 3-blade Scimitar (260, 260B) 3-blade Scimitar . Call your Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), he said. Upgrading a Comanche Panel: Photo Gallery. Wingtip mount with WAAS GPS, LED nav light, LED strobe light. In fact, the IFD100 app essentially adds a second IFD550 display/control set on the tablet. I could not believe the difference. Has internal WAAS GPS, interfaces with select Stratus portable ADS-B receivers. Initially the airplane was equipped with hand brakes, but after 1960 most Comanches were delivered with optional toe brakes. CHOOSE YOUR FREE DOWNLOAD: CHEROKEE GUIDE OR DIGITAL ISSUE, How to Disassemble and Transport a Legacy Piper, How and Why to Strip Your Plane Yourself Before it Gets Repainted, Restoring the Interior of a Legacy Piper: How You Can Save Money, Comanche Engine and Mounts: What Happens During an Upgrade, Comanche Reassembly: What a Legacy Piper Looks Like When Its Taken Apart. YOU NEED!!!! One on the landing gear (AD 77-13-21) mandates replacement of landing gear bungees every 500 hours or three years to prevent landing gear collapse after manual extension. 24DF, Vortex Generator Kit, Piper PA-24 Models, Challenger Air Filter, High Performance (CP-3110). Most Comanche owners can vouch for them. Heres how to replace your Piper seat covers, which was one step in my Arrows long by Piper Owner Society | Dec 8, 2022 | Upgrade & Refurbish | 0. The list price of the IFD550 is $21,999, but if you have a clean and fully functional Garmin GNS530W, you can cut that cost substantially. At this point the ADS-B buy-in decision should be easy. At long last, this 1959 Comanche that was disassembled and trailered . For dual installations (maybe an IFD550 and IFD440), the connections are independent for redundancy, but have full synchronization. Piper Comanche PA-24-400, PA-30, PA-39 Models. assembly. Posted by Rocky Landsverk | Sep 13, 2022 | Comanche Restoration Series, Upgrade & Refurbish. In 1966, the Comanche B, with a fuel-injected 260-HP Lycoming IO-540-D4A5, a boosted gross weight (now 3100 pounds) and two more seats, was added to the lineup, starting with serial number 24-4300. The plane is ADS-B Out compliant with a Stratus transponder installed in 2016. Same as FDL-978-XVR but with internal WAAS GPS. 24RS, Wing Root Fairing Kit. Greg Piehl, who lives in St. Petersburg, Florida, with his wife Debbie, spent three years restoring and upgrading their 1959 Piper Comanche 250.
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