Comanche 400

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hangarrat101
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Comanche 400

Post by hangarrat101 »

A while back there was a video posted on YouTube of running the Comanche 400 engine. What’s happening with that aircraft these days? Would be really cool to see some more pictures or footage of it or an update as there really isn’t much info out there. (Would be cooler yet to have an accu-sim version but I won’t jump on that next-aircraft-please bandwagon ;) )

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Scott - A2A
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Re: Comanche 400

Post by Scott - A2A »

The Comanche 400 is stored in our hangar atm and will be there for some time. The plan is to finally sell the Comanche 250, use the Aerostar as our primary airplane for 2018, then later this year get the Comanche 400 in the air. Then decide which airplane to keep or for that matter, we may end up selling both and getting something else. It's hard to say now, but the Comanche 400 is very low on our priority list. The 400 is a rare airplane and we will likely therefore take our time bringing it back to life.

Right now the prop is off the 400 due to a cracked blade, so I plan on putting on another prop just to run the plane once a month around the airport.

Scott.
A2A Simulations Inc.

awash2002
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Re: Comanche 400

Post by awash2002 »

Scott how did the blade crack?
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Dogsbody55
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Re: Comanche 400

Post by Dogsbody55 »

I am among those who would love to see an Accu-Sim Comanche 400. There are sufficient differences between the 250 and 400 to make it a very worthwhile Accu-Sim project.

Please keep us informed of the progress in returning your Comanche 400 to the skies.


Cheers,
Mike
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Marvin-E34
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Re: Comanche 400

Post by Marvin-E34 »

I did some quick searches on the web weeks ago and was surprised to see that you could get a Comanche 250 for the price of a nice car in the US :mrgreen: (50K to 70K $)
Is it expensive to own such a plane ? I guess it's like an old sports car: store it and don't drive it everyday or you'll go bankrupt.
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William Hughes
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Re: Comanche 400

Post by William Hughes »

Marvin: A Comanche 250 can be a very economical given that it is a relatively high performance aircraft. It will be more expensive to operate and maintain than a fixed gear bug-smasher - but not that much more. If you fly more than about 100 hours per year it is absolutely cheaper than renting.

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caleb1
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Re: Comanche 400

Post by caleb1 »

Scott, are you planning to make an A2A Piper Aerostar?

Thanks.
Caleb Byers

A2A Hanger: C182, C172, PA-28, PA-24, J3

PC: Intel Core i7 6700 @ 3.4 GHz to 4.0 GHz, 24GB RAM, GTX 745 with 4GB VRAM, 2TB SSHD, Win 10 Home x64.

Simulators: P3D v3.4, P3D v4.5, FSX:SE

Real Hanger at FD08: 1956 C172, 1964 PA-24 400

Buffy Foster

Re: Comanche 400

Post by Buffy Foster »

Wow, Scott, it always looked like you really loved the Comanche 250; wouldn't it be hard to let it go?

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caleb1
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Re: Comanche 400

Post by caleb1 »

Buffy Foster wrote:Wow, Scott, it always looked like you really loved the Comanche 250; wouldn't it be hard to let it go?
Yes.....
Caleb Byers

A2A Hanger: C182, C172, PA-28, PA-24, J3

PC: Intel Core i7 6700 @ 3.4 GHz to 4.0 GHz, 24GB RAM, GTX 745 with 4GB VRAM, 2TB SSHD, Win 10 Home x64.

Simulators: P3D v3.4, P3D v4.5, FSX:SE

Real Hanger at FD08: 1956 C172, 1964 PA-24 400

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AKar
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Re: Comanche 400

Post by AKar »

Scott - A2A wrote:Then decide which airplane to keep or for that matter, we may end up selling both and getting something else.
Mind not doing that until you've got the Aerostar properly introduced into the world of FSX/P3D? :wink:
awash2002 wrote:Scott how did the blade crack?
Cracks in the blades often originate from sharp nicks or such, serving as stress concentrators. Then they grow by fatigue. The alloy used in the blades is incredibly difficult to crack, often even prop strikes as serious as fatal crashes won't crack the blades in large extent even if they are completely rolled over. But the fatigue does its job.

-Esa

awash2002
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Re: Comanche 400

Post by awash2002 »

OK
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hangarrat101
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Re: Comanche 400

Post by hangarrat101 »

Thanks for the update Scott, Always good to see old planes being put back into use!

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Scott - A2A
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Re: Comanche 400

Post by Scott - A2A »

One of the blades has an internal crack, which is what these blades were at risk of so I'm glad to have it off the airplane.

Regarding selling the 250, I can't justify keeping it. The key for me and A2A moving forward in regards to airplane ownership is it needs to continually challenge and never get complacent. If after a year both the Comanche and Aerostar are sold, then that allows another airplane to come in, and so on. So rather than think of "hold on to this airplane" think "keep experiencing new airplanes and grow." I have to push back against being comfortable.

Scott.
A2A Simulations Inc.

Buffy Foster

Re: Comanche 400

Post by Buffy Foster »

Scott - A2A wrote:Regarding selling the 250, I can't justify keeping it. The key for me and A2A moving forward in regards to airplane ownership is it needs to continually challenge and never get complacent. If after a year both the Comanche and Aerostar are sold, then that allows another airplane to come in, and so on. So rather than think of "hold on to this airplane" think "keep experiencing new airplanes and grow." I have to push back against being comfortable.

Scott.
Oh, that makes sense, yeah. Like how the V-Tail will be a new challenge for us. I hope we'll get to fly the Aerostar, too. ;-)

-Buffy

justindw199
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Re: Comanche 400

Post by justindw199 »

Scott,

Did the headliner ever get reinstalled in 29P?

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