[STEVE]

STEVE on July 12, 2021 at 6:13 pm #20793

Hi Michael
Thanks for the update on you and your Comanche.
Based on what I’ve seen from a MX standpoint over the years, I feel you have good insight on Lock Haven vs. Vero Beach Pipers.
I love my little 180. I call it a two place plus bags unless I’m doing the “friends Coast Tour” here near where I live.
Yesterday I flew a two hour out and back leg from KPRB to L22. You can see it on Flight Aware under N6585P.
Mine is a 1960 model and I haven’t moved the radio stack to the center so all my avionics are on the left side.
I’m a day VFR flyer although I have done enough IFR training to know how to safely go down through clouds with augering in.
I like to look a the planet.
I don’t acclimate quickly so on long XCs I start sucking O2 at about 6500 feet and monitor my blood oxygen saturation with a pulse oximeter. Without supplemental O2 I turn goofy pretty quickly.
I understand about kids and AirVenture travels. I sort of get paid to go, so I do. Have been to every one since 2000.
If you feel like writing what you’ve learned and experienced during your acquisition and ownership of your Comanche, write it up and send it; we’re always looking for true life experiences with Pipers.
Best,
Steve

[Michael Ellis]

Michael Ellis on July 12, 2021 at 4:31 pm #20792

Morning Steve,

Nothing special really to tell about her, she was up in the Pacific Northwest for most of her life and down in Muscle Shoals Alabama before I bought her. I got lucky, as it did not take long for me to find her, a couple of weeks is all.

I really did not get a “Formal” pre purchase inspection. She was at a dealership in Oklahoma City and, I again got lucky, as one of my local Mechanics was ferrying a plane out to Southern California. Since he was taking the Interstate 40 route out there and was going to stop for the night somewhere in OK anyway, I asked him to drop in and give me a couple hours looking her over. I was most concerned with any airframe issues as everything else, while expensive, is really bolt on/bolt off. He reported back that he opened up a few inspection ports and she looked very solid. He also had a gander at the logs and they checked as well.

I am based out of Moline, IL and hired another ferry pilots to get her up here and then spent some time with my instructor. In Feb15, I took her to Cliff over at Heritage Aero for her 1st annual under my conservatorship and while it was a doozy, it put her strait and I have had very, very few problems since. As you are aware, they are just built more solid then the follow on aircraft. At it was explained to me, Engineers built the Comanche….after that the accountants took over. 🙂

Please don’t get me wrong, I am not disparaging the follow on Piper aircraft, in order for Piper to stay competitive it needed to happen, but there is a difference between those aircraft built in Lockhaven and those built in Vero Beach. Both are solid but in my opinion, the Lockhaven aircraft are just a smidge more so.

I know this is sacrilege, but I have never been to Airventure and don’t currently have plans to go. Still have kids in the house and if I told my Mrs. that I was going to an airshow for a few days leaving her here alone with the kids and all their activities…..ya you can imagine how that would go. It’s on my bucket list and I will do a Comanche Town as soon as I can.

You and Kristin are the reason I joined, saw a post on the facebook group by Malcolm (I cannot remember his last name right now, but he talks just like John Malkovich) promoting an tech article in the Piper Flyer that Kristin put together.

Happy to be here.

Mike

[STEVE]

STEVE on July 11, 2021 at 2:19 am #20789

Hi Mike;
Welcome to the Piper Flyer forum page.
Tell me a little more about your Comanche.
Did it take you a long time to find a good one?
What was found during the pre-purchase inspection?
Where are you based?
Are you planning to fly up to AirVenture this year?? If so, please join us in Waupaca on the Saturday and Sunday prior to the AirVenture opening on Monday.
As you probably know I own a Comanche 180, which I love, and Kristin Winter, another writer for the Piper Flyer, flies and maintains a PA-30 Twin Comanche.
Glad to have you aboard.
Steve

[Eric Parks]

Eric Parks on July 9, 2021 at 12:10 am #20788

Very nice!

I have the same addiction…. My name is Eric and I’m addicted to all things aviation… 🙂

My Apache came with two Garmin G5’s and an STEC 50 autopilot and so far I have been very pleased with them. Let us know how the new displays and autopilot work out!

[Michael Ellis]

Michael Ellis on July 8, 2021 at 10:50 pm #20787

Afternoon All,
Just joined.
I have owned N6928P since October 2014 and have been in love the entire time.
She is currently up in Rockford, IL at Avionics Place getting a new STEC 3100 installed with a 3 GI-275’s….Yes I have an Avionics Addition…what of it? 🙂
Started a YouTube channel to try and promote the breed. Nothing fancy as I suck at editing the videos.
Piper Comanche 250
Glad to be here.
Mike