The Comanche
180 was designed as an entry-level, economy class Comanche. Records show
that a total of 1,143 were built. The initial production run of the 180
hp Comanche singles were given the PA-24 type designation. The remainder
of this production run were given the PA24-180 designation. Like all Comanches,
the 180 has a Lycoming engine, in this case the carbureted O-360-A1A. This
is the lightest Comanche, with a gross weight of 2,550 pounds. Other noteworthy
features of the airplane include a hand brake (conventional toe brakes were
offered as an option beginning with the 1960 model year), 60-gallon standard
fuel capacity (30 gallons more, in auxiliary fuel tanks, were made another
option in 1961), and manual flaps. The Comanche 180 was a modest performer,
with rates of climb in the neighborhood of 600 to 900 fpm, cruise speeds
in the 116- to 139-knot range, and fuel burns between 7.5 and 10.5 gph.
Those figures represent the range between 55-percent and 75-percent cruise
speed values. Full-fuel payload with standard fuel is 715 pounds, but with
the 90-gallon tanks, useful load drops to a mere 535 pounds. However, in
this condition, endurances can reportedly run as high as nine hours with
proper leaning procedures. With the standard fuel system, ranges with 45-minute
reserves usually run in the area of 700 nm. A few later-model Comanche 180s
have reportedly been modified by installation of a 250-hp Lycoming O-540
engine making them, in effect, cobbled-up Comanche 250s.When new, standard, average-equipped Comanche 180s typically sold anywhere from $17,850 (1958) to $21,580 (1964).