Piper Comanche 180 Tour and Discussion
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- Опубликовано: 5 апр 2021
- Tour and walk around of a 1964 Piper Comanche 180. High level discussion of engine, panel, features, speed mods, and some history. Great four seat cross country and training airplane.
Beautiful . I used to rent a Comanche 180 out of KSMD for a couple of years and enjoyed the heck out of it. The Comanche is a wonderful flying and Beautiful looking airplane.
Appreciate your comment. I fly over KSMD twice a week. 800 hours later I still lover her too. She gets me where I need to go.
@@BlessedtoFly I'm watching your Halloween flight right now.LOL
My first airplane was a 1961 Comanche 180 N6931P and loved it. Later sold and purchased a 1965 Comanche 260 N8547P. Thay were both awesome aircraft to fly. Had to sell due to health reasons (divorce).
I bet that 260 was a nice travelling machine. Thanks for watching and commenting and hope you can stay involved somehow. Maybe your local EAA chapter?
@@BlessedtoFly Unfortunately, my flying days are behind me. I am lucky though, as I have Chino Airport, Corona Airport, and the old March Air Force Base Museums close driving distance.
I checked out a Comanche 250 last weekend, everything looks great so far, taking my mechanic to do a pre-buy on Saturday!!
that’s awesome! Great planes. Mine was a little maintenance intensive the first year but once it was caught up it treated me well. Tried to give a good overview in the vid. Let me know how it works out.
the airworthycomanche forum is a great place for info if you haven’t found it already. ICS has good info too.
@@BlessedtoFly pre-buy went well, they flew her the hour to me today, and she’s all mine now!
Fantastic! That had to be an awesome day. I have pics of me and 8192P’s former owner from my purchase (adoption) day. These planes have out lived several owners in many cases. Let’s care for them and hand them down to someone else someday.
@@Kevlux86 Mind filling me in on how much it ran you?? Seems prices are on the rise again :(
Great videos! Video quality is sharp too, we can really see the details on the airplane and panel. Thanks for the tour. Looking forward to flying my Comanche 180 so seeing what things you've done to yours really helps learn about mine while it's out of service.
Mr. AT, I almost called you out at the beginning as to why I did this vid. Look forward to an update on yours soon and getting to see it in the air. And if you are going to keep the coffee grinder, see if there is an LED upgrade for it!
@@BlessedtoFly Can call me out anytime! Hoping to be able to make a cameo in one of your videos some day with a side-by-side. I've ordered the similar starter switches so it was great seeing those in there though I'm sticking with the two mag system for now. But, hearing good stuff about the one you've installed.
I'm a little sad that most Comanche owners are removing the ole coffee grinder on top. I'm hoping to keep mine as long as I can. But, I understand that it's a big draw on the system, especially compared to those LEDs. I'm hoping someone comes out with an LED that works like the coffee grinders - almost like KIT from Knight Ryder or the Cylons on Battle Star Galactica where it strobed back and forth. If they could get that to go round in circles I may switch! :-)
Just ordered an Approach Fast Stack system and new panel so hopefully things will come together quicker and we'll be flying this summer!
@@andrewthome77 "AT's Battle Star LED Rotating Beacon. Made for pilots by pilots." I want to help promote it if you make it!
I have a 180 too. Love it!!!
Thanks! N8192P just came back from it's first trip to Oshkosh. We hit the dot on landing but the GoPro froze up in the heat so no video on it. Parked next to another 180 from Houston and walked past several others in "Comanche Town". Great time but exhausting.
Thanks for the tour
Glad to share it.
I was looking in to getting one of these! Quality craft.
thx for watching.
@@BlessedtoFly Your mention of how you got to wanting the Comanche as your airplane - finding your "Mission" was exactly the process I went through. I have my PPL but wanted something I could continue training with to get my Instrument Rating, build time, travel with my family, cabin space, retractable gear, constant speed propeller, and just a darn good looking aircraft!
Plus the fact that they are overbuilt doesn't hurt. One thing I've noticed flying the Comanche over the Warriors, Arrows, and Archers I've flown is how solid the Comanche is. And as far as maintenance goes, it is actually one of the lower even though they haven't been built for what, 40 years?
@@andrewthome77 Thank God it is well built. I've taken it a few places I don't want to go back into during my early "license to learn" phase. The maintenance really hasn't been that bad. If the gear maintenance is behind then there is some expense to get that up to where it should be. Really it's one of the most economical, retractable gear, complex planes there is.
I have a crazy history with this aircraft. My grandfather was on a US Army tank somewhere in France during WW2 and got strafed by an attack plane killed his whole crew but him. He was traumatized by the event and wanted to become a pilot later on in life buying a Comanche 180 feeling safe in the air. He flew that plane all over the USA for many years until he got too old to fly and forgot to put the landing gear down on landing but luckily the grandpa and plane came out alright. The plane than went to me an my dad with me as copilot and we flew that plane everywhere until we almost ate it flying into a huge flock of ducks hiding behind a cloud. We pulled up last second as ducks were bouncing off the bottom of the plane. Once again people and plane came out ok but I didn't ever fly again after joining the Marine Corps.
That's a crazy story but I believe it. Thanks for sharing it. I too have had close calls with geese, ducks, vultures, and a bald eagle. The former owner had a gear up landing and he made me promise that I would check the gear three times before every landing. And thanks for your service Marine. I was Army, 82nd Airborne for a while. Apparently they didn't beat the desire to fly out of me. Then again, I think flying is still safer that what we used to do!
@@BlessedtoFly Dang a bald eagle? ha thats crazy! Me and my dad got a special flip tab check list in the cockpit of our Comanche and i think it was a good idea. I have no idea where my dad got it from but it was worth every penny!
I flew an 172 with a “complete” Electroair system on half the plugs and it ran like a Swiss Watch when it didn’t burn through the plug wires or plug tips. That ignition system put out so much power that it made short life of the plugs and wires. It only works really well for about a month, then the trouble shooting had to start every month by finding where the missing spark was. Mechanics got tired of it and went back to mags.
I have had several issues but after investigation we have eventually been able to solve them. My remaining mag had a loose connection, was due for overhaul and was causing problems. Then I found my manifold pressure gauge was off and need to replace it. Many of the issues were existing issues with my plane that we had to shake out. I hope I am near the end of that and then can do a video of all we learned. Thanks for watching.
The Comanche is a great plane and deserves a video walk around. I had one for 10 years. Please redo this without the wind.
Thanks. Which model did you have? Yes, I found the wind was a problem during editing. Part of climbing up the learning curve making vids. I hope to be doing another video soon that is focused on electronic ignition. That will focus under the cowling and some in the cockpit.
@@BlessedtoFly Comanche 180. Ended up getting my A&P because of it and worked for my Mechanic that got me started on working on aircraft.
I agree. She is a good looking aircraft.
I love the tasteful upgrades as well.
thanks much. Wish she went 200 kts but then I wouldn’t get to build that much time in her!
FYI. I think I am the third owner. First two owners were from the Youngstown area. First owner’s family had it since new and sold it about 2001.
@@BlessedtoFly
That's awesome.
I have always loved the Comanche aesthetically. I hope I get the opportunity to own one as well!
Very nice.
Thank you! Cheers!
Great video! We met a couple of weeks ago at Young Eagle (6/12/21) at Bult. I have the Bonanza at 06C. Next weekend your stuck in Chicago we can meet for lunch at KRPJ or KJVL. Garry
Thanks Garry. We had a great day giving the kids their first flights! Really fun and rewarding event. Yes, let's do a fly in some weekend.
Almost reached out to see if we could go for a flight this weekend but my plane is down. Waiting on a part.
My bonanza has a hat rack too, maybe in the 60s they all wore hats.
A more civilized time I guess, except for the ashtrays. Bonanza’s are super cool. I am a new Beech owner myself.
Based on the highest you’ve flown, what’s your opinion of whether the max approved altitude of FL210 is achievable? Have you heard of a 180 with both auxiliary tanks and tip tanks?
think the POH says 18500 ft for service ceiling. I’ve cruised at 11k many times and at 13k once or twice. Climb rate slows noticeably around 8 - 9k so the winds have to be really worth it. I have not seen one with aux and tip tanks. Only the 250/260s have them as far as I know. But with just mains and tip tanks you’d potentially have 7 to 8 hours endurance.
Thanks. 18,500 is the ceiling at max gross (2550), but the copy of the POH I have (Page 1-6) says 25,500 at 2000lbs. That’s probably a brand new airplane with a test pilot, but it sure seemed impressive to be able to get that high with a normally aspirated 4cyl engine.
I’m thinking of a 1450nm flight hence the aux plus tip tanks question.
@@colinbrathwaite334 for high altitude flying I recommend an electronic ignition. Advances the ignition for altitude, saves fuel, and I’ve heard mags can struggle up high unless the are made for it. Probably should consider a turbo if you plan to go over 15k. The turbo twin Comanche would be the ride I would pick.
Hey Scott! I’m somewhat local to you and am looking to purchase a Comanche 180. Any chance I could stop by and see yours in person??
are you in PA or IL?
Did you have any insurance issues using this for training?
Good question. I bought it as a zero time pilot. My first insurance policy in 2017 said "must be under direct supervision of a CFI" and the CFI requirement was 750 hrs total, 150 hrs complex, and 10 hrs in type. After I got my PPL and about 60 hours in it I didn't have any further issues (other than cost of retracts with a low time pilot is higher). The insurance world has gone insane (with the rest of the world) this past year so best to have a conversation with an insurance broker to talk it through. Took some searching to find the right CFI too.
It’s Sept of 2022 what do you think 1959 is worth now ?
Same with other planes it depends on how it’s equipped,, cared for, upgrades, engine life, paint, time on the air frame,….. The range could be $50k to 100. I survey trade-a-plane every couple months to see what they are listing for.
How much you spend to buy your plane?
Tough question, a lot to consider. I spent a lot but these planes are a great value. This is an approximation. Spent $35k to purchase in 2017, about $7 in maintenance first 18 months, about $13k on the gps and lighting upgrade, then another $5k in upgrades in year 2. I would rather forget all that but it’s good to be open about it for anyone considering buying. I saw some Comanche 180s for sale in 2020 in the $40-$65k range. 2021 prices have gone up and I haven’t seen any for sale recently. Best wishes.
@@BlessedtoFly great because I’m seriously considering to learn to fly and get me a plane of my own and really like the Pipers.
Do a thorough job of defining your mission and that will guide you on the type to buy. If regular long cross countries are not part of your mission, the Cherokee 140/160/180 series are good planes to learn in and fly until your mission changes. Insurance costs will be lower too. Find a couple pilots or A&P mechanics to chat about it. If you can find a local EAA chapter meeting there will be plenty of people there willing to help. EAA also has some training opportunities. Check out the Eagle flights program.
www.eaa.org/eaa/learn-to-fly/introductory-flights-for-free/eaa-eagle-flights-program
Best Wishes!
Would it be possible for you to measure the actual cabin width? Like door card to door card. Its hard to find this information as so much basic legacy aircraft information is just flat fictitious.
I'll try to remember my tape measure tomorrow for my flight. I never measured it but Plane and Pilot Mag says it's 45". Bonanzas are about 42". It definitely is wider than my friend's Bonanza. I like the extra room. Don't have to rub shoulders with the right seat person.
yep, 45” across the seats.
@@BlessedtoFly Out side of seat to seat or wall to wall? Thanks BTW. I measured a cheroke 180 today at 41" wall to wall.
45” wall to wall, basically thru the chest of the pilot and copilot at the insides of the window sills. The Comanche is not a plane where the right seat person has to move their seat back to prevent rubbing shoulders. I flew a lot with an instructor in winter and we had plenty of room even with winter gear on.
@@BlessedtoFly got it
Cruise speed? That's why we watch.
about 140 kts at 9 gph. Depends on power setting and altitude.. Just flew Friday at 9000 ft and trued 138 kts at at just under 8 gph.