PA-39

Seats: 6 6
Power: 160 hp119 kW
Cruise: 155 kt286 km/h
US register: 81 aircraft81 aircraft

About the PA-39

The Piper PA-39 is an American twin-engined fixed-wing aircraft built as a type-certificated cabin monoplane. Designed for complex light twin operations, it suits roles requiring multiple engines and seats up to six occupants. The layout features two engines, retractable landing gear, and a low-wing cantilever configuration.

Developed as a variant of the PA-30 Twin Comanche with counter-rotating propellers, the type was tested to improve flight characteristics and received type approval. Production took place in Pennsylvania until operations were halted following a factory flood. Throughout its history, the airframe competed against various other light twins and led to further design iterations before manufacturing ceased.

Engines fitted

78 aircraft

Engine	Power	Aircraft
Lycoming IO-320	150 hp	72
Lycoming O-290	140 hp	4
Lycoming IO-360	200 hp	1
Lycoming LIO-320	160 hp	1

This page covers the Piper PA-39 Twin Comanche CR: the same aircraft under other designations.

Specifications

PA-39 · 2 × Lycoming IO-320-B1A

Dimensions

Length: 25 ft 0 in 7.62 m7.62 m 25 ft 0 in
Wingspan: 36 ft 0 in 10.97 m10.97 m 36 ft 0 in
Wing area: 178 sq ft 16.5 m²16.5 m² 178 sq ft

Weights

Empty weight: 2,270 lb 1,030 kg1,030 kg 2,270 lb
Max take-off weight: 3,725 lb 1,690 kg1,690 kg 3,725 lb

Performance

Cruise speed: 155 kt 286 km/h286 km/h 155 kt
Max speed: 178 kt 330 km/h330 km/h 178 kt
Never-exceed speed (Vne): 236 kt 438 km/h438 km/h 236 kt
Stall speed: 61 kt 113 km/h113 km/h 61 kt
Range: 1,043 nm 1,931 km1,931 km 1,043 nm
Service ceiling: 20,000 ft 6,096 m6,096 m 20,000 ft
Rate of climb: 1,460 ft/min 7.4 m/s7.4 m/s 1,460 ft/min

Powerplant

Engine: 2 × Lycoming IO-320-B1A
Engine power: 160 hp 119 kW119 kW 160 hp

Capacity

Seats: 6

ICAO type designator: PA30
Type certificate: US A1EA
Manufacturer: Piper
Country: United States
On the US register: 81
Registered in: Brazil, United Kingdom, Australia, United States, Canada
Official website: piper.com

Improve this page

Add your photos Suggest a correction

PA-39 running costs

$369 an hour

Hours a year Aircraft value (USD)

A year
	Low	Typical	High
Fuel	$10,268	$13,202	$15,411
Oil	$240	$300	$390
Engine overhaul reserve	$4,333	$5,333	$9,667
Propeller overhaul reserve	$1,833	$2,167	$2,500
Annual inspection and maintenance	$5,000	$7,000	$9,000
Hangar	$3,000	$6,300	$9,600
Insurance	$2,046	$2,584	$3,122

Total	$26,720	$36,886	$49,690
Per hour	$267	$369	$497