AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - December 2018 - 44

PILOT BRIEFING

BUDGET BUY

VREF VALUE

$52,000 ranging to $76,000
for the turbocharged 260C.
HOW MANY IN THE FLEET?

1,027 were built; 643 remain on
the registry.
INSURANCE COSTS

AOPA Insurance estimates a
premium of between $1,400
and $2,000 for a pilot with 100
hours of retractable gear time,
depending on the hull value
and total time with an instrument rating.

Comanche 260
Tough birds

FINANCING

Assuming $66,000 purchase
price and $9,900 down, AOPA
Finance estimates $477 per
month for 15 years at a 6.13
percent rate.

B Y J I L L W. TA L L M A N
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

WHICH RETRACTABLE-GEAR single has more style than the Piper Cherokee-along with

many more parts? If you said "Arrow," try again.
The answer is the Piper PA-24 Comanche. Piper built these tough birds at its Loch
Haven, Pennsylvania, factory, from 1958 through 1972. The Comanche line preceded the
Cherokee line, and thousands are still flying.
Comanches come in a variety of flavors, ranging from the 180-horsepower "baby"
Comanche to the 400-horsepower 400. The Comanche 250 was the biggest seller of the
line and was considered a strong competitor to the Beech Bonanza-performing almost
as well but selling for thousands less.
Why focus on the 260, then? It offered a few improvements on the 250, including a new
propeller and a fuel-injected engine on the B model that boosted performance 10 knots,
and the installation of dual exhausts that removed the muffler from the rear of the engine,
according to an analysis of the model published by The Piper Flyer.
There were four versions of the 260, including the 260B that could be configured as
a six-seater, and the turbocharged 260C. B and C models feature three windows per side.
The 260's Lycoming IO-540 engine could cruise at 142 to 161 knots, burning 13 to 19 gallons per hour. The airplane carried 60 gallons, and could be modified to hold 90 gallons.
While offering good looks and good performance for the money, the Comanche 260 may
be a handful for the first-time owner. Parts are not as readily available as, say, for Cherokees.
Experienced owners say a repair shop experienced in Comanche maintenance is a must.
Similarly, a pilot new to the airplane should seek transition training from someone who
has time in type. The International Comanche Society can provide leads on maintenance,
training, and more.
44 | AOPA PILOT December 2018

Numerous repetitive ADs,
including one for the stabilator
torque tube horn. Permanent
compliance may be available
for some repetitive ADs by purchasing new or STCed parts.
BIGGEST PLUS

Can fly fast and haul four
adults.
BIGGEST MINUS

Just any mechanic won't do.
THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR

Slippery on landing, so make
sure airspeed is on point. Consider adding vortex generators
to make the airplane more docile. Instruments in older panels
will be shotgun-style.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

International Comanche Society,
P. O. Box 1810, Traverse City, Michigan 49685-1810; 888-300-0082,
www.comancheflyers.com

http://www.comancheflyers.com

AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - December 2018

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - December 2018