Twin comanche, just looked at one

On 25-Feb-2007, "E Andersen" wrote:

Hi

the more I look into it, the more I keep returning to the comanche, it
must
be the
fastest small twin and at the same time very economical, how can that go
wrong :-)

I might go and have a look at this one

http://www.schomeraircraftcenter.com/inventory5.htm

during the week, does anyone know this particular aircraft?

Erik



check the gear trunion pins- ad on thoses they crack.
check logs for dye inspection, repeditive, or replacement with webco
units, non repetitive.
check gear bungee arms they crack also, no ad but ad on bungees.
check main gear castings at the web, they crack there also.
check tension on the push-pull gear cables, need a adapter most twinco
owners will have one or were to get one, they are easy to make the
drawing is in the service manual. if they are dragging to much the need

to be replaced, they are available but not cheap to replace.
check fuel valves for leaks and screens for corrosion, also part of a
AD.
check rear bulkhead for cracks and horizonal bearings for play. also AD


Don't know anything about this particular but if an autopilot is part of
your consideration (seem to remember a previous reference) I would not
consider this aircraft. I owned a 64 model TC a number of years ago with
this autopilot and it is very old technology even at that time (about 15
years ago). It was in and out of the instrument shop several times trying
to keep the thing working, especially the altitude hold. The people at the
shop were an old family business that had been around since shortly after
WWII and they didn't have anything good to say about it. Several boxes, all
interconnected with RF cables (old style coax, with the hollow dialectric
for the center conductor). The plane was great, a real honest four person
plus baggage plane even with full fuel. Reasonable operating costs for a
twin. But the old autopilot was garbage. Good luck in your search.

Rick

Before we found our 66 Aztec C model with it's STEC 60-2, we
considered a 65 C with an Altimatic II that was inoperable. I called
Autopilots Central and discussed this autopilot with Bob Ferguson. He
took plenty of time and explained the problems with the Altimatic II
and didn't simply brush me off. His recommendation was to totally
discount this autopilot, even it was fully functional. He said that
we'd be looking for a replacement just as soon as we had our first
problem with it.

I have a friend with an Altimatic III in his Aztec and he hasn't any
problems, plus it's still serviceable by most shops.

YMMV
Jim Burns

I wonder if the upgrade to an STEC would be relatively easy, if the servos
are already in place?


wrote in message
ups.com...
Before we found our 66 Aztec C model with it's STEC 60-2, we
considered a 65 C with an Altimatic II that was inoperable. I called
Autopilots Central and discussed this autopilot with Bob Ferguson. He
took plenty of time and explained the problems with the Altimatic II
and didn't simply brush me off. His recommendation was to totally
discount this autopilot, even it was fully functional. He said that
we'd be looking for a replacement just as soon as we had our first
problem with it.

I have a friend with an Altimatic III in his Aztec and he hasn't any
problems, plus it's still serviceable by most shops.

YMMV
Jim Burns

Bob Ferguson would know the best route for you to follow. His email and
contact info are at http://www.autopilotscentral.com/contact.htm
He's a straight shooter. You'll find his name, recommendations, and
accolades in the archives of many newsgroups.

Jim