Piper COMANCHE User Manual

11 SECTION The FIper Camunche
.-
ing airspeed Mow 95 MPH at low alti~udes has the added disad-
vantage of cuuing down forward visilility, so no speeds below that
figure are recommended.
The gross weight stalling speed of the two Comanche models
with full flaps is 61 and 64 MPH respecliveIy. The stall speed increas-
es about 5 MPH with flaps up. All controls are effective at speeds
down to ihe slatling speed, and stalls are gentle and easily controlled.
V. Cruising:
The cruising speed of the Comanche models is determined by
many iactors including power setting, altitude, temperature, load, and -
equipment installed on the airplane.
For he 180 Comanche, d~e normal recommended cruising
speed is 160 MPH at 75% power at 8000 feet al~itude. This power
setting is obtailied under standard conditions at 2400 RPM and atmt
22'' M. P. Fuel consumption at this speed approximates 10 gallons *
per hour. This gives a cruising range with standard fuel of 5 hours
or 800 miles, and with reserve fuel 6 hours or 960 miles.
The 250 Comanche bas a maximum recommeded cruising speed
of 181 MPH at 75% power at 7000 ieet, 24.00 RPM and 22.6N M. P.
With a iuel consumption of 14 gallons per hour, this cruising bon-
dirion gives a range of 4.3 bours or 785 miles.
To keep engine wear, fuel consumption, and noise at reasonable
levels, cruising RPMb horn 2100 to 24.00 are recommended, wjkh
apprupriale Manifold Pressures to attain power settings of 65% to
75% pawcr at low and intermediate altitudes.
With the Harkell propeller installation on he 180 HP engine,
Manihld Pressures of more ihan 23.5" should not be used aL less
than 2250 RPM lo avoid undesirable propeller stresses.
Qihcrwise,
there arc no pnwer setting limitations on this installation. Jn !be
case of the McCauhy propeller, cruising at 2450 RPM or higher
with Manifold Pressures over 24.5'' must be avoided. This indbces
no operhional handicap because thcse power seuings are too high
(over 80!% puwer) to be practical. With this installalion, Mani-
fold Pressures over 25'' should not be used at less than 2100 RPM.
Far minimum iuel consumption and maximum eiticicncy, the
best power ser~ings during cruising Aight are with minimum RPM
and the necessary Mnnifold Pressures to obtain a given percent of
power, consislent with the above limita~ions. Engine smoatlinesa
and noise level should be major factors in delermining the best RPM.

Piper COMANCHE Specifications

General

Manufacturer	Piper Aircraft
Seating Capacity	4
Model	PA-24
Crew	1
Capacity	3 passengers
Height	7 ft 6 in (2.29 m)
Max Takeoff Weight	2, 900 lb (1, 315 kg)
Type	Light aircraft
Variants	PA-24-180, PA-24-250, PA-24-260
Engine	Lycoming
Wingspan	36 ft (11.0 m)
Powerplant	1 × Lycoming O-540-A1A5 6-cylinder horizontally opposed piston engine, 250 hp (190 kW)