New member looking for SE 250 or 260

[Arthur Gunn]

I'm new to the ICS (yesterday) and was wondering if I could get some help from some members. I'm in a partnership and we are in the market for a Comanche 250 or 260. We're looking for an airworthy plane that has had all AD's complied with, and for one that is IFR certified with auto pilot. We found one without an auto pilot, and based on owner asking price cannot justify it after the cost of adding on the AP and WAAS upgrade for it. We have looked at a few Comanches online already.

The bird does not need a great paint job or interior. Any suggestions what issues we should look for?

Also, I am a low time SEL PPL with about 200 hours and 8 hrs retract. Most of my time is inArcher III and Dakotas. My partner is an ATP CFII with 4,000 hours and 2,500 retract. Am I biting off more than I can chew? I know I will need lots of dual.

Suggestions how to proceed? I have loved Comanches since I was a teen (was youngest pilot in Canada at one time) and recently got back into flying as a PPL. I received my FAA license and have logged about 75 hours since January. I am currently working on my instrument rating and fly out of KPWK.

Thanks for all your help! I hope I can make this dream happen

[MULEFLY]

Arthur---

I purchased my first Comanche when I had about 200 TT... you should be fine. I did own an Arrow for about 150 hours before I purchased a 260B -- I did get my IFR rating in the Arrow... but depending on the insurance carrier you probably won't need more than about 10 hours of dual -- IIRC.

You have an experienced partner... so that helps... there are ample number of airplanes on the market... generally they fall into two categories... junkers and really nice airplanes... so take your time... I looked at ~ 30 singles before I found the one that I just had to have... and later when I purchased a Twinco.. I probably evaluated 20 or so airplanes again.

All the best!
Jim

[N3322G]

Hi Arthur,

Welcome to almost Comanche ownership.

Ditto Jim's comments and I would add two things. Be sure to get a pre-buy done by a Comanche experienced mechanic - there are several around the country and several who will travel. The folks at this Forum have often connected buyers with a mechanic near the location of the proposed aircraft

Next I'd be sure to take the http://comanchetraining.com/ training as soon as possible after you get your Comanche.

Hope that helps and please be sure to ask any question you may have here.

[Arthur Gunn]

Hi Pat

Thanks for the suggestion. Already spoke to Cliff at Heritage Aero at KRFD which is a short hop from KPWK. Now to find the right bird.

[MULEFLY]

I was trying to remember if PWK was Palwaukee... I'm based at 44C... Beloit, WI... Cliff and his crew do my maintenance... to Pat's suggestion... he is one of the best qualified folks to do a pre-purchase for you... and he has a pretty good network too... he might find you one that isn't on the market yet.

All the best!
Jim

[Arthur Gunn]

[Arthur Gunn]

[N3322G]

Arthur,

So glad you have already found Cliff - he is a well- respected Comanche knowledgeable guy. He spoke at the Comanche Service Clinic this Spring at the shop I use for the Twin, Clifton Aero - huge amounts of Comanche knowledge there too.

What I like about both Cliff and the folks at Clifton is while they have HUGE amounts of expertise, they continue to make sure they learn and when they don't know something, they say so and set about to learn or find the answer.

BTW, learned to fly at Elgin airport ... back when there was one - met George Priester at PWK etc. Parents bought the Twin from George Edgcumbe at Elgin. Still have family in Liberytville area. Hope you find your Comanche soon.

[N3322G]

Arthur,

On the Chat Forum on this site at http://www.comancheflyer.com/forum2/vie ... f=3&t=7236 is another member looking to sell. Pathfinder says he is in TN. http://www.comancheflyer.com/NS/pathfin ... search=yes
Click on the n number for a photo

Don't know if this is what you want but thought you'd at least like to know about it. I have no knowledge of the aircraft - just saw the post.

[Arthur Gunn]

[Andy White]

I just bought a Comanche 250 end of May. I had 218 hrs of time and I had no issues with the transition to flying it.

On the insurance side, I ended up using Travers Insurance. They found me an underwriter that only required a sign off by a CFI that had min of 750 hrs and at least 10 hrs in type. There was no specific requirement for hours for me in the aircraft, just needed the CFI to sign me off as ready. Btw my complex sign off was part of my transition and I did that in about 6 hrs.

PM me if you want more detailed info of my journey so far...

Andy

[Arthur Gunn]