| Piper's Comanche was designed as a high performance retractable gear single to compete with Beech's Bonanza. Piper's first low-wing single-engine design featured a swept back vertical tail, flying horizontal ""stabilator"", all metal construction, and their new laminar flow wing for speed.
The first Commanche, a 180, was delivered to customers in 1957. Immediately following, Piper introduced the 250 and 400 in 1958, the much improved 260 in 1964, and finally the turbocharged 260 in 1970.
Many loyal customers feel that the Commanche was Piper's best design and lament that Piper ceased its production in 1972 (due to a flood damaging their fabrication tooling). Fortunately, parts are readily available through various sources, including Webco Aircraft (see link below).
The Comanche is one of Piper's fastest singles and, with 90 gallons of fuel capacity, ample payload even with full fuel, and a comfortable cabin, it is great cross-country airplane. This Comanche is in very good condition and is ready to fly today!
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