Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche
The Piper PA-30 and PA -39 Twin Comanche are two nearly identical twin-engine light aircraft of the U.S. aircraft manufacturer Piper Aircraft Corporation. They can accommodate 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 led a company at that time, which had focused on the conversion of aircraft. The first flight took place on November 7, 1962 instead, the delivery began in 1963. The drive consisted of two Lycoming IO -320- boxer engines with 120 kW power. Initially, there were several accidents caused by a flat spin after failure of one of the engines that could be solved by structural changes, however.
1965 PA-30 B was introduced, which had six seats and additional windows. This model was ( as all subsequent models ) also available with turbocharged engines and tip tanks. 1970 was followed by the version PA-30 C which had a higher cruising speed and an improved interior. With the PA -39 Twin Comanche C / R in addition a model with counter-rotating engines came on the market.
Since the Twin Comanche for the same product line was like the single-engine Comanche, both model series were taken in 1972 from their market. Previously, the production facility was destroyed by a flood in Lock Haven. Piper focused from now on to the Cherokee 140/180/235/Arrow-Familie, which was supplemented by the Seneca, a twin-engine variant of the Cherokee 6. The intended as a successor to the PA -39 Arapaho, which was announced for 1973/74 is never gone despite granting admission in series. Of the three prototypes, a copy is preserved in flying condition.
The Twin Comanche is considered the most fuel-efficient aircraft in its class. The tip tanks included in the calculation, it can carry 454 liters of fuel. Compared to Seminole it has a higher speed, higher payload, lower fuel consumption, higher climb performance, greater altitude and causes less noise.
Total 1972 2.156 machines were built until the end of production.