Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche - Design

Design

The Twin Comanche is a low-wing cantilever monoplane with a retractable tricycle landing gear. The Twin Comanche is the most fuel efficient aircraft in its class. With tip tanks, the aircraft holds 120 gallons (454 l) of fuel. Fuel burn at typical cruise settings is approximately 15.5 gph (58.7 lph) with a cruise speed of 165 kts. It easily climbs to 18,000' (5,500 m) when desired (24,000' - 7,300 m - if turbocharged). When compared with the Seminole (in reality a Twin Arrow), the Twin Comanche goes faster, carries more, burns less fuel, climbs more rapidly and ultimately higher, is quieter, and is more difficult for a novice to land. When compared to the Seneca, which is really quite a different aircraft, the more noticeable differences are in handling. Another contemporary competitor to the Twin Comanche was the Beechcraft Travel Air. A similar airplane in form and function was the Gulfstream American GA-7 Cougar, which went into production after the Twin Comanche's production run ended.