Twin Comanche VS Seminole
- Thread starter nkoenig
- Start date
jrh
Well-Known Member
97% of the Twin Commanches have a critical engine, but there are a few rare ones out there that have counter rotating props (no critical engine).
I've got a few hours in both and I would say the Twin Commanche has slightly better performance on a single engine, and it can go significantly faster than a Seminole, but it is also harder to fly. It takes quite a bit more rudder pressure to stay in control during single engine ops, and it's harder to land smoothly. Also, it has a tendency to lift off the ground before reaching Vmc during takeoff, which is a very bad thing, so you have to work a little more on takeoffs.
Are you looking to buy one? If you're in the market for a nice cruising machine, I'd say go for the Twinky. Even if it's harder to fly, it's still reasonably safe and it outperforms the Seminole for the same price. If you're looking for quick and easy training, go for the Seminole.
propilot3574
Well-Known Member
100% agree. The twin commanche is horrible on a single engine climb right after takeoff. That is how alot of them crashed in the early days. My DE pulled an engine right on climb out on my checkride. We had no runway left and it was hot. We achieved a blistering 130ft per min climb. That is why most DE will not do this on checkrides. The Seminole is alot more stable, but are both a blast to fly. If I had to just get a rating it would be in the seminole, but if I wanted to learn how to really fly a twin it would be the twinkie.
desertdog71
Girthy Member
IF you want EASY, fly the seminole. If you want skills, fly the Twinkie.
mtsu_av8er
Well-Known Member
You'll learn a helluva lot more about flying a twin in the Twinkie. I got my rating in a Seminole. A week later, I was ferrying a Twinkie across the U.S.
BIG DIFFERENCE!
BIG DIFFERENCE!
a week after getting your multi rating you got the opportunity to ferry a multi across the US? How?
mtsu_av8er
Well-Known Member
Well, before she could pay for my MEI I had to get 15 hours of Multi PIC time, and she needed somebody to pick up that airplane . . . it worked perfectly!
AND, she paid me.
deadstick
Well-Known Member
For XC flying, the 30/39 hands down. Faster than and burns less fuel than the 44.
Training: 44. I seem to recall some really bad training accidents in the 30/39-series relating to VMC, stalls, and that slick wing. You can still wheelbarrow it with the small nosewheel, too.
Also, there are more parts available for the 44. This is important because I've seen students training cost skyrocket after the plane sits for 3-4 (or more) weeks waiting for repairs. Their proficiency goes down and have to darn-near start over.
If they have 2+ of the same twin, that's a safe bet, too.
Training: 44. I seem to recall some really bad training accidents in the 30/39-series relating to VMC, stalls, and that slick wing. You can still wheelbarrow it with the small nosewheel, too.
Also, there are more parts available for the 44. This is important because I've seen students training cost skyrocket after the plane sits for 3-4 (or more) weeks waiting for repairs. Their proficiency goes down and have to darn-near start over.
If they have 2+ of the same twin, that's a safe bet, too.
MusketeerMan
Well-Known Member
Go with the Twinkie for both...I have 110 hours in the Comanche and about 20 in the Seminole, the Comanche is overall better to fly. The early accidents in the Comanche were mainly because VMC demo's and other maneuvers were done at low altitudes.
desertdog71
Girthy Member
As far as the Twinkie being unsafe. I disagree to a point. It comes down to knowing the aircraft. Just like any other airplane you fly, you will need to know what it can and cannot do. I have done multiple engine out maneuvers in a Twin Comanche and yes at 500AGL on takeoff and others at low altitudes. Guess what though if you VMC roll a Seminole at low altitude it will end bad also. The Twinkie is a capable airplane single engine unless of course you are at max gross. It will climb SE at 200fpm up to about 6000ft DA.
Yes it will lift off before Vmc, yes it wheelbarrows on landing if you land flat. Yes it will violantlly roll at Vmc if you approach Vmc too rapidly. These are all things that you have to know before flying it. Its a slick aircraft and very capable. I see nothing negative about learning in one. In fact I dare say your skills will be better having done so.
Yes it will lift off before Vmc, yes it wheelbarrows on landing if you land flat. Yes it will violantlly roll at Vmc if you approach Vmc too rapidly. These are all things that you have to know before flying it. Its a slick aircraft and very capable. I see nothing negative about learning in one. In fact I dare say your skills will be better having done so.
aussieflyer
New Member
I always found the twinkie a hard bugger to grease a landing in whereas the seminole was a breeze.
I pretty much agree with everyone above though...take the twinkie time if you can get it.
I pretty much agree with everyone above though...take the twinkie time if you can get it.
PanJet
Well-Known Member
Forget both of them and fly a King Air; easier to fly than either of the others.
On a serious note, the Twinkie has better performance, burns less fuel, and carries more weight than a standard Seminole. However, it's maintenance costs can be quite a bit more. There aren't many left out there used for training because of maintenance costs.
On a serious note, the Twinkie has better performance, burns less fuel, and carries more weight than a standard Seminole. However, it's maintenance costs can be quite a bit more. There aren't many left out there used for training because of maintenance costs.