Next aircraft to fly.

And here I thought you kept up with ALL of my posts.:confused: :) . Yeah, I am North of you. And I have put it in quite a few posts, I think...not that it matters!!!
 
SteveC said:
Did they really make a twin version, also? I know they did a 400 hp single Comanche.
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I stand corrected. Just in the single. Must have had a brain fart.

On a side note, what is the fastest production piston twin? Turbo Baron? 421C? 310 with the Cont 520's? All of those 225-250kt airplanes.
 
Sweet lookin ride, and you'll get to really learn about critical engine, unlike all these Seminole drivers on here. :D This means you'll really have to be on it during VMC demos and other single-engine ops--the Twinkie can and will bite you if you're not on top of things!
 
aloft said:
Sweet lookin ride, and you'll get to really learn about critical engine, unlike all these Seminole drivers on here. :D This means you'll really have to be on it during VMC demos and other single-engine ops--the Twinkie can and will bite you if you're not on top of things!
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That is exactly what I wanted. Doesn't hurt that it does 165=kts either.
 
Let me know if you learn how to land the darn thing with grace and finesse. I got my CAMEL and MEI in a twinkie and always seemed to run out of elevator. Seems the nosewheel wants to come down as soon as the mains touch. Other than that (and the fact that it likes to become airborne way before redline) I LOVED flying it!!

Good luck and have fun!!
 
These are things I have learned from my CFI, he has over 500 hours in these and has shared this information with me. I have no first hand knowledge yet.

The trick to landing from what I understand is keeping a little power in when you land, much like you would do a soft field landing. Also the smaller nose wheel mod will help with keeping from landing on the nose wheel. They do tend to float quite a bit, this is because of the small clearance from ground to flaps when extended, they like to hang in ground effect. I was told that you fly them into the ground much like a Citation.

Now on take offs, again it is a bit different. If you apply a little forward pressure on the yoke while accelerating, this will help with keeping it down until you reach proper rotation speed, then you will takeoff like a short field takeoff, staying in ground effect until reaching Vx to Vy and then climbing out normally.

Every plane has its different characteristics, and I look forward to taking on the challenge. They are an excellent aircraft, but not without faults. Just like anything else, learining the POH and statying within the your own and the airplanes limitations is the key.

Despite many people opinions of these planes, the fact remains that they have the same safety record as the other small twins. They got a bad name early on because at the time the FAA called for low altitude engine out manuevers. In 1969 the FAA changed its policies and also mandated a change in the Vmc for this aircraft. Since that time they have identical safety records to the Seminole and Duchess. These were the primary twin trainer for many years, and I see no reason why it is now not a good aircraft to do twin training in. I am sure a Seminole or Duchess is no fun if you drop below Vmc either. Like I said before, stay within the aircrafts limitations and everything should be fine.
 
I've got a little over 400 hours in the Twin Comanche, and I'll agree with what your CFI has told you. I'll emphasize one point, and that is to use only a little forward pressure on the yoke during take-off. We had the small nosewheel mod as well, and it really does help prevent too early a take-off, but if you try too hard to hold it down it will wheelbarrow up onto the nose wheel as the wings start flying. If you stay light on the yoke pressure it will politely let you know when it is time to fly, and it will usually be right around red line. Let it fly when it wants to, and it will continue to accelerate fairly quickly so you will probably find very little need to keep it in ground effect.

Great economical travel machine. I used to flight plan for 155 knots and 15 GPH fuel burn, and running about 65% power it would do those numbers all day long. 165 knots was possible at 75%+, but you'd give up some fuel for the extra speed.

Enjoy.


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SteveC said:
I've got a little over 400 hours in the Twin Comanche, and I'll agree with what your CFI has told you. I'll emphasize one point, and that is to use only a little forward pressure on the yoke during take-off. We had the small nosewheel mod as well, and it really does help prevent too early a take-off, but if you try too hard to hold it down it will wheelbarrow up onto the nose wheel as the wings start flying. If you stay light on the yoke pressure it will politely let you know when it is time to fly, and it will usually be right around red line. Let it fly when it wants to, and it will continue to accelerate fairly quickly so you will probably find very little need to keep it in ground effect.

Great economical travel machine. I used to flight plan for 155 knots and 15 GPH fuel burn, and running about 65% power it would do those numbers all day long. 165 knots was possible at 75%+, but you'd give up some fuel for the extra speed.

Enjoy.


.
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Steve,

We don't have the small nose wheel yet, but it does have the Robertson STOL kit and also some of the Gap Seal Speed Mods. From what I understand the STOL kit drops the Vmc down to 80mph instead of 90. Not sure if I am gonna be the one to test that number though. :)
 
Agree with SteveC on trying to hold the nose on during takeoff. Set the trim for takeoff and she'll come off when she's ready. With regard to landings, just don't try to land these birds at a stall like you would most other light aircraft. Because of laminar flow, you WILL lose your stabilator control before the stall. And adding more power and then pulling the nose up just makes it worse (i.e., difference between "oomph" and driving struts through the wings). Bottom line: TwinCo's land flat. But they are definitely fun to fly.

BTW SteveC, thought you might appreciate this---10k', 55%, 178 knots TRUE at 18 GPH. Got to love those Super200's!
 
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