Aircraft / Piper / PA-24 Comanche
Piper Certified · Fixed-wing · United States
PA-24 Comanche
Seats 4 4
Power 260 hp 194 kW
Cruise 161 kt 298 km/h
US register 344 aircraft 344 aircraft
Photo: redlegsfan21 · CC BY-SA 2.0 Photo: Jonathan Payne from Ayr, United Kingdom · CC BY-SA 2.0 Photo: James from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire · CC BY-SA 2.0 Photo: James from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire · CC BY-SA 2.0 Photo: James from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire · CC BY-SA 2.0
About the PA-24 Comanche
The Piper PA-24 Comanche is an American fixed-wing, type-certificated monoplane featuring a single engine, low-wing layout, retractable tricycle landing gear, and seating for four occupants. It suits private pilots requiring cross-country performance.
Piper Aircraft developed the aircraft during the fifties, subsequently introducing higher-powered engine options and turbocharging variants over the production run. Output ceased after severe flooding destroyed the manufacturing facility, tooling, and airframe parts, leading the company to focus on alternative models.
Engines fitted 336 aircraft
Engine Power Share of fleet Aircraft
Lycoming O-360
180 hp
316
Lycoming O-540
250 hp
15
Lycoming TIO-540
310 hp
3
Lycoming HO-360
180 hp
2
PA-24 Comanche variants
Designation Seats Engine power Max take-off weight Cruise speed Range
PA-24 Comanche This page 4 4 260 hp 194 kW 3,200 lb 1,451 kg 161 kt 298 km/h 1,064 nm 1,971 km
PA-24-180 4 4 260 hp 194 kW 3,200 lb 1,451 kg 161 kt 298 km/h 1,064 nm 1,971 km
PA-24-250 4 4 260 hp 194 kW 3,200 lb 1,451 kg 161 kt 298 km/h 1,064 nm 1,971 km
PA-24-260 4 4 260 hp 194 kW 3,200 lb 1,451 kg 161 kt 298 km/h 1,064 nm 1,971 km
PA-24-400 4 4 260 hp 194 kW 3,200 lb 1,451 kg 161 kt 298 km/h 1,064 nm 1,971 km
This page covers the Piper PIPER PA-24: the same aircraft under other designations.
Specifications PA-24-260C · Lycoming IO-540
US Metric
Dimensions
Length 25 ft 0 in 7.62 m 7.62 m 25 ft 0 in
Wingspan 36 ft 0 in 10.97 m 10.97 m 36 ft 0 in
Wing area 178 sq ft 16.5 m² 16.5 m² 178 sq ft Weights
Empty weight 1,773 lb 804 kg 804 kg 1,773 lb
Max take-off weight 3,200 lb 1,451 kg 1,451 kg 3,200 lb Performance
Cruise speed 161 kt 298 km/h 298 km/h 161 kt
Max speed 169 kt 314 km/h 314 km/h 169 kt
Never-exceed speed (Vne) 197 kt 365 km/h 365 km/h 197 kt
Stall speed N/A
Range 1,064 nm 1,971 km 1,971 km 1,064 nm
Service ceiling 19,500 ft 5,944 m 5,944 m 19,500 ft
Rate of climb 1,320 ft/min 6.7 m/s 6.7 m/s 1,320 ft/min Powerplant
Engine Lycoming IO-540
Engine power 260 hp 194 kW 194 kW 260 hp
ICAO type designator PA24
Type certificate US 1A15
On the US register 344
Registered in New Zealand, Australia, United States, Canada
1963 · 3,220 h USD
Low $92,000
Typical $118,000
High $139,000
By year built · United States · USD
Built Hours Low Typical High 1959 3,800 $76,000 $97,000 $116,000 1960 3,800 $80,000 $102,000 $121,000 1961 3,750 $84,000 $107,000 $127,000 1962 3,800 $88,000 $112,000 $133,000 1963 3,220 $92,000 $118,000 $139,000 1964 3,950 $97,000 $123,000 $146,000 1965 3,970 $101,000 $129,000 $153,000 1966 5,780 $106,000 $135,000 $160,000 1967 5,780 $111,000 $142,000 $168,000
By year built · United Kingdom · GBP
Built Hours Low Typical High 1959 3,750 £57,000 £73,000 £91,000 1960 3,750 £60,000 £76,000 £96,000 1961 3,750 £63,000 £80,000 £100,000 1962 3,880 £66,000 £84,000 £105,000 1963 3,370 £69,000 £88,000 £110,000 1964 4,000 £72,000 £92,000 £115,000 1965 4,060 £76,000 £97,000 £121,000 1966 5,140 £79,000 £101,000 £127,000 1967 5,780 £83,000 £106,000 £133,000
By year built · Euro countries · EUR
Built Hours Low Typical High 1959 3,750 €68,000 €87,000 €109,000 1960 3,750 €72,000 €91,000 €114,000 1961 3,750 €75,000 €96,000 €120,000 1962 3,880 €79,000 €100,000 €125,000 1963 3,370 €82,000 €105,000 €131,000 1964 4,000 €86,000 €110,000 €138,000 1965 4,060 €91,000 €115,000 €144,000 1966 5,140 €95,000 €121,000 €151,000 1967 5,780 €99,000 €127,000 €158,000
By year built · Elsewhere · USD
Built Hours Low Typical High 1960 3,390 $72,000 $91,000 $114,000 1961 3,670 $75,000 $96,000 $119,000 1962 3,950 $79,000 $100,000 $125,000 1963 4,380 $82,000 $105,000 $131,000 1964 4,440 $86,000 $110,000 $137,000
PA-24 Comanche running costs $275 an hour
A year
Low Typical High
Fuel $6,191 $7,954 $9,229 Oil $144 $180 $234 Engine overhaul reserve $2,167 $2,667 $4,833 Annual inspection and maintenance $2,500 $3,500 $4,500 Hangar $3,000 $6,300 $9,600 Insurance $1,200 $1,550 $1,900 Depreciation $2,682 $5,364 $8,046 Total $17,884 $27,515 $38,342 Per hour $179 $275 $383
Engine
Model Lycoming O-360-A1D
Power 180 hp
Overhaul 2,000 h / 12 yr
Fuel burn 8.2 – 10.3 gal/h
Fuel price $8.20 /US gal
Value lost a year 5.4%
Piper
1963 Piper PA-24-250 Comanche
£12,500 ≈ $16,710
1963 · 4,700 h · United Kingdom
Private seller
PA-24-250 specs
Piper
1961 Piper Comanche 250
$20,000
1961 · 250 h · United States
Private seller
Piper
1959 Piper comanche
$22,000
1959 · United States
Private seller
Piper
1962 Piper Pa-24-250 Comanche
$29,500
1962 · 3,653 h · United States
Private seller
PA-24-250 specs
Piper
1959 Piper Comanche 250
$35,000
1959 · 2,893 h · United States
Dealer
Piper
1959 Piper Comanche 180
$39,900
1959 · 4,476 h · United States
Dealer
