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Piper PA-24 Comanche: Difference between revisions
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Comment out the "updated model" text, as the number of changes is small and it detracts from Dave's efforts.
(Comment out the "updated model" text, as the number of changes is small and it detracts from Dave's efforts.) |
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The '''Piper PA-24 Comanche''' is a four-seat, low-wing, all-metal, light [[aircraft]] of monocoque construction with retractable landing gear that was first flown in May 1956 according to a Piper Aircraft Company press release. Together with the Twin Comanche, it made up the core of the Piper Aircraft line-up until 1972, when the production lines for both aircraft were wiped out in a flood. | The '''Piper PA-24 Comanche''' is a four-seat, low-wing, all-metal, light [[aircraft]] of monocoque construction with retractable landing gear that was first flown in May 1956 according to a Piper Aircraft Company press release. Together with the Twin Comanche, it made up the core of the Piper Aircraft line-up until 1972, when the production lines for both aircraft were wiped out in a flood. | ||
<!-- This detracts from Dave's original efforts and the small number of changes should be submitted upsteam. | |||
== Updated version == | |||
An updated version of this aircraft by flyingfisch is available here: {{github source|user=flyingfisch|repo=pa24-250}} | |||
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== Aircraft help == | == Aircraft help == | ||
{| class=" | {| class="keytable" | ||
|f | ! Key | ||
| | ! Function | ||
|- | |||
|{{key press|f}} | |||
|Fuel tank select | |||
|- | |||
|{{key press|~}} | |||
|Toggle nav lights | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | |{{key press|!}} | ||
| | |Toggle master battery switch | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |{{key press|#}} | ||
| | |Switch on master alternator switch (not shown in cockpit) | ||
|- | |- | ||
|@ | |{{key press|@}} | ||
| | |Toggle fuel pump | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |{{key press|$}} | ||
| | |Toggle landing lights | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |{{key press|%}} | ||
| | |Toggle rotating beacon | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |{{key press|^}} | ||
| | |Toggle anti-collision lights | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |{{key press|*}} | ||
| | |Toggle pitot heat | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |{{key press|(}} | ||
| | |Turn on and/or decrease panel lights | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |{{key press|9}} | ||
| | |Increase and/or turn off panel lights | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |{{key press|h}} | ||
| | |Toggle carburator heat | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |{{key press|Ctrl|P}} | ||
| | |Toggle primer pump | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |{{key press|B}} | ||
| | |Toggle parking brake | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |{{key press|s}} | ||
| | |Starter | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |{{key press|Ctrl|C}} | ||
| | | Display mouse "hot-spots" | ||
|} | |} | ||
* All switches and controls (except yoke and pedals) can be operated via "hot-spots". | * All switches and controls (except yoke and pedals) can be operated via "hot-spots". | ||
=== Startup === | === Startup === | ||
# | # Fuel on most full main ({{key press|f}} toggles selector on left side). | ||
# | # All toggles OFF. | ||
# | # Battery master switch to ON ({{key press|!}} toggles battery master switch). | ||
# | # Alternator master switch to ON ({{key press|#}} switches it on). | ||
# | # Electric fuel pump ON ({{key press|@}} toggles fuel pump switch). | ||
# | # Operate primer pump three times then locked ({{key press|Ctrl|P}} cycles primer). | ||
# "CLEAR PROP" | # "CLEAR PROP". | ||
# | # Key to start ({{key press|s}} engages starter). | ||
# | # Pitot heat ON if IFR ({{key press|*}} toggles pitot heat switch). | ||
# | # Beacon {{key press|%}}, nav lights {{key press|~}}, strobe lights {{key press|^}} ON as required. | ||
# | # Landing light if night ({{key press|$}} toggles landing light switch). | ||
# | # Release parking brake ({{key press|B}} releases brake). | ||
=== Takeoff === | === Takeoff === | ||
| Line 82: | Line 82: | ||
=== Landing === | === Landing === | ||
Landing check list on panel. | Landing check list on panel. | ||
== Airplane of the Week/Month == | == Airplane of the Week/Month == | ||
The Piper Comanche was reviewed as 'Airplane of the Week/Month' on May 31, 2011 as follows: | The Piper Comanche was reviewed as 'Airplane of the Week/Month' on May 31, 2011 as follows: | ||
'''Model''' | |||
The Piper PA-24 Comanche has a nicely modelled and textured cockpits down to useful checklists printed on the main panel. | The Piper PA-24 Comanche has a nicely modelled and textured cockpits down to useful checklists printed on the main panel. | ||
| Line 101: | Line 98: | ||
The exterior model is perhaps a bit simple by today's standards, some surfaces look a bit too uniform and lack detail, but the different light switches in the cockpit are all functional for the external model, and the cockpit and baggage doors have opening animations. | The exterior model is perhaps a bit simple by today's standards, some surfaces look a bit too uniform and lack detail, but the different light switches in the cockpit are all functional for the external model, and the cockpit and baggage doors have opening animations. | ||
'''Flight characteristics''' | |||
The PA-24 is a nice alternative to the C-172p - it is an easy to fly single engine plane with slightly more sophistication (it has a retractable gear and a variable pitch propeller). The FDM doesn't feel especially spectacular, but it certainly behaves in a plausible way for the plane (I have not done checks against actual performance data though). The basic relations between trim, elevator, engine power and flaps certainly work out nicely and the turn characteristics seem reasonable. | The PA-24 is a nice alternative to the C-172p - it is an easy to fly single engine plane with slightly more sophistication (it has a retractable gear and a variable pitch propeller). The FDM doesn't feel especially spectacular, but it certainly behaves in a plausible way for the plane (I have not done checks against actual performance data though). The basic relations between trim, elevator, engine power and flaps certainly work out nicely and the turn characteristics seem reasonable. | ||
| Line 111: | Line 108: | ||
All in all, the PA-24 is not a spectacular plane in any single characteristic, but mostly a solid piece of work and a nice plane to enjoy the scenery and to learn how to deal with a variable pitch propeller, and as such it is worth some attention. | All in all, the PA-24 is not a spectacular plane in any single characteristic, but mostly a solid piece of work and a nice plane to enjoy the scenery and to learn how to deal with a variable pitch propeller, and as such it is worth some attention. | ||
'''My personal wishlist''' | |||
The engine behaviour at high altitude should certainly be clarified. Also, it would be nice to improve texturing of the interior away from the main panel - this is currently very simple, and to revisit the exterior model. | The engine behaviour at high altitude should certainly be clarified. Also, it would be nice to improve texturing of the interior away from the main panel - this is currently very simple, and to revisit the exterior model. | ||
'''Things to experience''' | |||
The Comanche is the only plane I am aware of which comes with two different versions of the autopilot, the Century CIIB and the CIII which can be selected at startup - so you can try both and compare. | The Comanche is the only plane I am aware of which comes with two different versions of the autopilot, the Century CIIB and the CIII which can be selected at startup - so you can try both and compare. | ||
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{{Piper}} | {{Piper}} | ||
[[ | [[de:Piper PA-24 Comanche]] | ||