Piper PA-30

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Piper PA-30 / PA-39 Twin Comanche
Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche of the 1963-65 series
Type: Light aircraft
Design country:

United StatesUnited States United States

Manufacturer:

Piper Aircraft Corporation

First flight:

November 7, 1962

Production time:

1963 to 1972

Number of pieces:

2.156

The Piper PA-30 and PA-39 Twin Comanche are two largely identical twin-engine light aircraft produced by the US aircraft manufacturer Piper Aircraft Corporation . They offer space for four to six people.

history

The Twin Comanche is the twin-engine variant of the single-engine PA-24 Comanche . The PA-30 was designed in 1962 by Ed Swearingen , who at the time was running a company specializing in aircraft conversion. The first flight took place on November 7, 1962, delivery began in 1963. The drive consisted of two Lycoming IO-320 boxer engines with an output of 120 kW. At the beginning there were several accidents caused by a flat spin after one of the engines failed, but these could be resolved after design changes.

In 1965 the PA-30 B was introduced, which had six seats and additional windows. This model (like all following models) was also offered with turbocharged engines and tip tanks. In 1970 the PA-30 C version followed , which had a higher cruising speed and improved interior design. With the PA-39 Twin Comanche C / R, a model with counter-rotating motors also came onto the market.

Since the Twin Comanche belonged to the same product line as the single-engine Comanche, both model series were withdrawn from the market at the same time in 1972. Previously, the production facility in Lock Haven was destroyed by flooding. From then on, Piper concentrated on the Cherokee 140/180/235 / Arrow family, which was supplemented by the Seneca , a twin-engine variant of the Cherokee 6. The Arapaho , planned as the successor to the PA-39 , which had been announced for 1973/74, never went into series production despite its approval. One of the three prototypes has been preserved in an airworthy condition.

The Twin Comanche is considered to be the most fuel-efficient aircraft in its class. The tip tanks included in the calculation, it can carry 454 liters of fuel. Compared to the Seminole , it has a higher speed, a higher payload, lower consumption, a higher climb rate, a higher flight altitude and causes less aircraft noise .

A total of 2,156 machines had been built by the end of production in 1972.

Technical data (PA-30)

Parameter PA-30 PA-30B
span 10.97 m 11.21
length 7.67 m 7.67 m
height 2.49 m 2.51 m
Empty weight 1,002 kg 1030 kg
Takeoff weight 1,633 kg 1690 kg
crew 1 1
Passengers 3 5
Cruising speed 312 km / h 267 km / h
Top speed 330 km / h 330 km / h
Service ceiling 5,670 m 6,095 m
Range 2,190 km (with tip tanks) 1,930 km
Engines two Lycoming IO-320 -B1 A boxer engines with 120 kW each

See also

Web links

Commons : Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files
Commons : Piper PA-39 Twin Comanche C / R  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b FliegerRevue November 2009, p. 67, Piper PA-30 / PA-39 Twin Comanche