Pa-30 cross country planning

by **John Wasserburger** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 12:17 am

Does anyone know of any good software programs for planning cross country flights in the Twin Comanche? I am purchasing a 66 PA-30 in February and looking for direction on any good manuals or literature on how to fly the aircraft and how to properly maintain it. I just ordered a POH through this site. Also, I am setting up instruction with a CFF from Wisconsin. Thanks for the help!

John Wasserburger

by **ics-12766** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 12:33 am

AOPA has a flight planner, John. Though I haven't used it lately. I've used Aeroplanner as part of my EAA membership. I like it because it shows a plot/map of my route which includes TFR's. It also provides DUATS direct routing for RNAV which gives waypoints defined by VOR's. Great for checking progress when flying /G direct.

DUATS is the way to go. Log in, build your profiles for airplane and pilot, store frequent routes. You can refine your airplane profile fuel burn with experience. The flight planner is good (same RNAV feature), and with the full route brief, you've had a flight service-legal briefing. Filing is a breeze.

http://www.duats.com/duats.cgi

by **N3322G** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 12:36 am

John, welcome to almost Comanche ownership.

Strongly suggest Zach Grant's course - it was just covered in the January Flyer magazine - I printed below for easy reference and it is on this website under favorite destinations.

There are several Twin owners in Wisconsin that will likely show up at fly-ins etc. and may also respond to this message. Check out the members technical section for manual on this website as well as I understand Bill Creech's book - written for singles also applies to Twins - haven't gotten it myself yet but would take his word for it. Its on the home page on this website.

I've used several software planning programs and customized them for the Twin - doesn't matter which you use as long as you make sure the assumptions give you plenty of safety margin. ie i know I get 170 kts but plan with 160 kts. FAA asks for 45 minutes reserve after alternate, I use 1 hour etc.

A reprint from the Jan. Flyer...

The Comanche Pilot Proficiency Program for 2009

The much anticipated CFF Comanche Pilot Proficiency Program is coming to an airport near you this year. With a planned eight, and possibly a few more, weekend seminars spaced throughout the year and throughout the country, we hope to make this quality Comanche specific training available to everyone who wishes to take part. It has been a long time since Comanche training has been available in this format from the Larry Larkin seminar. Fully updated and developed for today’s highly technical aircraft systems, the CPPP has already helped many fellow Comanche owners advance their knowledge of their aircraft, fly more efficiently, and find greater enjoyment in their aircraft through the greater understanding of their aircraft, both mechanically and operationally. Please make plans now to take advantage of this great training opportunity during one of the seminars listed below. Additionally, programs can be scheduled one on one with a CFF CPPP instructor. Come to us for one on-one training, or get a group together and set up your own training seminar!
The price for the full course is an affordable $795 per pilot. This includes both ground and flight training in your aircraft, and includes all course materials. Don’t want to or can’t fly with us? You can take part in just the ground portion of the training for $395, and that also includes all course materials. Ground training is a full day and a half of systems, operations, regulations and special emphasis topics. It includes classroom time as well as time with the landing gear simulator and a unique, hands on technical lab with a dedicated technical instructor. A courtesy technical inspection of your aircraft will also be provided by qualified individuals at your option. We will work to help make your aircraft paperwork compliant, and we will provide you with answers to those questions that you always wanted to know the answer to, but didn’t know who to ask! Our instructors have been trained to be conversant in all of the latest avionics technology, and can really help you get the most out of that new high tech panel, or panel gadget. However, if just keeping abreast of the basics is more your idea of fun, we cover the old school techniques as well!
So you want to take part in the full course? By completing the entire course successfully, you will qualify for a Flight Review, an Instrument Proficiency Check, and you may qualify for significant insurance credits (check with your insurance company for your specific options). Our objective is to move you up a rung, from whatever level you are starting from, from new pilot/new owner, to seasoned professional/long time owner. We know you will find the course, as well as the interaction with other Comanche owners and pilots in the seminar environment, to be something you will enjoy and find most rewarding. Sign up for one of the dates and locations listed below, or contact us to set up a time and location that is more convenient for you. Space is limited at each location. If you wish to host a seminar weekend at your airport, please contact us to discuss the options and requirements. Remember, an untrained pilot is just a passenger! Hope to see you soon.
Information and registration:
CFFTraining@yahoo.com
Ph: 317.201.4293

2009 Schedule
January- 16th-18th Indianapolis, IN
February- open
March-20th-22nd Sacramento, CA (MCC)
April- open
May- 8th-10th Weatherford, OK (OJA)
June- 5th-7th Jackson, TN (MKL)
July- TBA, Midwest
August- open
September- TBA, North East USA
October- 13th-18th- Dayton, OH (MGY) (special program for ICS convention participants)
November- TBA, Melbourne, FL (MLB)
December- open (PHX?)
_________________

Hope to see you at a fly-in or convention.

by **Scott Ducey** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 1:21 am

Congrats John, you made a great choice in an airplane. I was in the same position as you not too long ago. You also made another great choice by joining the ICS. It is a great knowledge base between all the resources that are offered by being a member. I agree with previous posts regarding the flight planning software and taking Zachs course. ICS also sells something called a TIPS manual. I thought this was a great investment. I believe it is on the first page of the ICS web page. One other investment I made was the Maurice Taylor DVD. This vid provides a walk through of various aspects of the Comanche, i.e. preflight, landing gear, twin issues, single. I would strongly recommend getting the DVD's. I believe this latter item can be found in the Comanche Flyer (magazine). I think between these items and the forum, you are pretty well covered. Oh one other thing. I just got the short book by Bill Creech which also is pretty useful. Good luck with the plane. You will enjoy the Comanche. It is a great airplane!!!

by **T210DRVR** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 4:41 am

by **Zach Grant L1011jock** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 5:03 am

by **Jay** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 2:40 am

by **John Wasserburger** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 6:38 am

by **Tony Scarpelli** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 11:48 am

by **N8632Y** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 1:53 pm

by **John Wasserburger** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 3:42 pm

by **9089P** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 5:12 pm

Pa-30 cross country planning

Pa-30 cross country planning

Manuals, etc

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