ATP in a Twin Commanche

A150K

Well-Known Member
Looks like I'll have access to a Twin Commanche for pretty cheap to get my ATP done (unfortunately there isn't currently a way to get it at the 135 I work for in the equipment I'm on). By glancing at the PTS, it looks like there isn't a whole lot to the oral other than systems and performance. Anything else I should study up on? Also, any quirks with the Twin Commanche I should be aware of? Most of my twin time is in the Navajo Chieftain, but I haven't flown any of the lighter Piper twins.
 
Just did my ATP MEL in a Seminole last friday. Pretty straight forward. Had me go through each of the systems which is all fairly basic (engine, prop, gear, controls, electrical). Wanted to talk about anti/deicing equipment but there isn't any to speak of on our Seminole so not much to talk about. Talked about all the performance numbers ie. take off roll, accel-stop, landing roll, climb 2 engine and 1 engine, service ceilings etc. Also went over considerations for flying a light twin at high density altitudes. Really the oral was relatively easy. The flight portion wasn't hard but it was work load intensive. He had me file and IFR flight plan and we got a clearance and then asked for a diversion and a hold. Next we asked for a block of airspace and did steep turns, a couple stalls and unusual attitudes. Then shot a VOR approach to a circle to land then a single engine GPS with a single engine missed. Then did a DME arc for an ILS to straight in landing then 2 more GPS approaches and another ILS. After this, a full engine shutdown then normal landing and we were finished. Very straight forward with no real surprises. Just lots of instrument (spent 2.7 of a 2.9 flight under the hood). Like I said before workload was high but I fly ag planes and the most IFR flying I'd done in 2 years was maybe 2 hours of actual and about 2 hours of prep for the check.

Hope this helps and good luck!
 
The Twinkey will wheelbarrow on you. Some have an STC'd small nose wheel because of this. Be very aware of your taxiing sight picture so you know where you need to be when landing.

IIRC it has ceiling mounted hand cranks for the trims. Get proficient with them.

Watch the single engine work. The PA30s have had several accidents after entering a flat spin.

http://www.planecheck.com/twincom.htm

Continuing to test the Twin Comanche's notorious single-engined handling, we leave the right engine at zero thrust and pull the nose up until speed bleeds off to Vmc. The rudder fails to keep it straight when we reach 72mph and the stall warning is blaring out its dire warning. To avoid a deep asymmetric stall, we restore power and fly away. As the speed comes back so the control feel becomes crisp again
 
@vikingair I did mine at Aims CC in Colorado. I teach there in the off season for a winter gig so it made the most sense for me. Get a bit of an employee break on the rental.
 
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