There were some tragedies on this journey and some miracles (perhaps too strong of a word), and certainly a happy ending. This plane was born in 1959 (before almost anybody else in this story, actually). And never in our magazine’s history has anybody chronicled a restoration so thoroughly.Īsk questions of Greg and other members. It took only three years of part-time work, evenings and weekends, even though it’s about as comprehensive as you can get. This story will take thousands of words and literally hundreds of photos to tell, but it’s actually a fairly short one, chronologically. So it was for Greg Piehl, who lives in Florida with his wife, Debbie, and who is known in his locale as being willing and able to take a hangar queen and get her ready for the strip. And sometimes, people know you’re always looking - foster-parent style - and they wind up coming to you. Sometimes you bring them in after seeing them at a local airport. Sometimes they were part of your parents’ family. We’re planning to chronicle the restoration - including the engine, instrument panel, interior, and exterior - in a seven-part series that will conclude in the August 2022 issue.Īirplanes are family members who come to your family in any number of ways. Greg spent a good part of EAA week showcasing his restoration while parked at “Comanchetown” (in the vintage parking area) and spent another week flying the Midwest to visit his son (also a pilot). After 34 years, the first flight of N6494P took place at Zephyrhills Airport, three days before leaving on a trip to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, in July and August, 2021. Petersburg, Florida, with his wife Debbie, spent three years restoring and upgrading their 1959 Piper Comanche 250. registration was cancelled 3 June 2003.Greg Piehl, who lives in St. The first production PA-24, N5000P, with its original Lycoming engine, was exported to Canada. The FAA registration and airworthiness certificate are current. Codman, Medway, New York, since 24 October 1978. The prototype PA-24, N2024P, has been registered to John C. ![]() The Piper PA-24 Comanche was produced in several variants from 1957 until 1972, when the Lock Haven factory was destroyed by flooding. Its service ceiling is 18,800 feet (5,730 meters). With a fuel capacity of 60 gallons (227 liters), the PA-24 has a range of 782 nautical miles (900 miles/1,448 kilometers. Its maximum speed is 145 knots (167 miles per hour/269 kilometers per hour) at Sea Level. The PA-24-180 has a cruise speed of 139 knots (160 miles per hour/257 kilometers per hour) at 75% power, at 8,000 feet (2,438 meters). The O-360-A1A weighs 258 pounds (117 kilograms). The direct-drive engine turned a two-bladed Hartzell constant-speed propeller with a diameter of 6 feet, 0 inches (1.829 meters). The O-360-A1A is rated at 180 horsepower at 2,700 r.p.m. (Piper Aircraft Corporation)Įarly production Comanches were powered by an air-cooled, normally-aspirated, 361.007-cubic-inch-displacement (5.916 liter) AVCO Lycoming O-360-A1A horizontally-opposed overhead valve (OHV) four-cylinder engine with a compression ratio of 8.5:1. The first production Piper PA-24 Comanche, s/n 24-3, N5000P. Empty weight, depending on installed optional equipment, is 1,530 pounds (694 kilograms) and maximum gross weight is 2,550 pounds (1,157 kilograms). The PA-24 (later designated PA-24-180, reflecting its horsepower rating) is 24 feet, 9 inches (7,544 meters) long with a wingspan of 36 feet (10.973 meters) and overall height of 7 feet, 4 inches (2.235 meters). There were some changes from the prototypes, most noticeable the trailing-link nose gear strut had been replaced with simpler oleo strut. ![]() The first production PA-24 Comanche made its first flight on 27 September 1957. Piper Aircraft Corporation prototype PA-24 Comanche, s/n 24-1, N2024P, in flight. It is operated by a single pilot and is certified for VFR and IFR flight. It is a single-engine, 4-place, low-wing monoplane of all-metal construction, with retractable tricycle landing gear. The PA-24 was developed by Piper’s engineers from a preliminary design by Al Mooney. (At least one reliable source says the first flight took place one day earlier, 23 May.) The airplane was intended to compete with the Beechcraft Model 35 Bonanza which had been in production for nine years. ![]() : At Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, Piper Aircraft Corporation test pilot Jay Myer took the prototype Piper PA-24 Comanche, s/n 24-1, N2024P, for its first flight. The prototype Piper PA-24 Comanche, s/n 24-1, N2024P, at Lock Haven, Pennsylvania.
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