Piper Pa-24 Comanche

Single Piston· 2,417 globally registered

The Piper PA-24 Comanche was a landmark design when it debuted in 1958, becoming Piper's first all-metal, low-wing single-engine aircraft and the company's answer to the Beechcraft Bonanza. Built in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania until production ended in 1972 following the devastating Agnes flood, the Comanche earned a reputation for speed, efficiency, and docile handling that made it a favorite among serious cross-country pilots. The type was offered in four engine configurations (the 180, 250, 260, and 400 horsepower variants), with the 260 becoming the most popular, delivering cruise speeds around 160 knots while burning just 13-14 gallons per hour. Its laminar-flow wing, retractable landing gear, and stabilator (all-moving horizontal tail) gave it performance that often exceeded its Bonanza rival, and the design's structural integrity was proven by multiple pilots who survived inadvertent flight into severe weather that would have destroyed lesser aircraft. The Comanche's relatively wide cabin, excellent visibility, and predictable flight characteristics made it equally suitable for instrument training and long-distance personal transportation, though its manual gear system and stabilator required proper technique during landing. Despite ending production over fifty years ago, the type remains highly sought-after in the used market, with well-maintained examples commanding premium prices and active owner communities supporting continued airworthiness. SkyMeter has tracked 1,201 flights across 451 airframes and 434 operators, with MAVCO CORP the largest observed operator.