1965 PIPER TWIN COMANCHE

1965

PIPER

TWIN COMANCHE

Used

Own a piece of aviation history with this meticulously maintained 1965 Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche, serial number 886 of 900 built. With only 2,350 hours total time airframe and engines (TTAF), this aircraft is one of the best-preserved original PA-30s available. Fresh annual completed in June 2025 by a Twin Comanche specialist, this plane is ready to fly locally or cross-country without the need for immediate additional investment. Airframe & Condition Total Time Airframe (TTAF): 2,350 hours No Corrosion: Airframe is mostly zinc chromated for exceptional preservation Original Palm Beach Interior & Exterior: Only carpet replaced, maintaining authentic character. Paint is presentable, crazing and showing age if you look at it closely, despite being hangered, I touched up nicks and chips with matching paint. Interior looks much as it originally did which I consider also very presentable. Always Hangared: Hangered in KBTR and KMCB, Owned by only three meticulous owners Lowest operating cost for a twin - 160 kn TAS at 16 GPH typical. 1301 lb useful load - room for full fuel of 90 gal (84 usable), 4 standard passengers and 120 lbs of luggage. Pictures show two alternative seating configurations - standard 4 place seating or two place seating with room enough to haul two bicycles (which I do regularly). I found it easy to fly and land, even on one engine (landing with one engine is a check ride requirement). History: First owner (Midwest, 23 years, ~1,900 hours) Maintained by Muncie Aviation - very reputable shop. Second owner (Wisconsin, 10 years, ~300 hours, maintained but minimally flown for next 25 years) Current owner: Business-owned, spared no expense in upkeep Special Equipment: Includes custom jacks for landing gear maintenance, 12V external power cord. Engines & Props Engines: Lycoming IO-320 (2,350 hours TTSN) Never overhauled since 1965 – oil changes only Low oil consumption: 15-20 hours per quart Blackstone oil analysis trending positive, even compressions, easy starting Estimated 500+ hours or more remaining per Mike Busch "as required" maintenance philosophy. IO-320 engine known for bullet-proof reliability, often exceeding 2,000-hour TBO Propellers: Hartzell Q-Tip (installed 1983 to address AD issues) 665 hours since complete overhaul 120 hours since IRAN (2024) Recent Upgrades (2023/2024) Plane Power alternators Skytec starters New vacuum pumps All new hoses (mostly Teflon lifetime) New engine compartment baffling New brake rotors and pads All new tires Avionics: Preserves Original Panel Character Radios: Upgraded to modern Narco Mark 12D digital (25 MHz spacing, slide-in replacement using original wiring harnesses) Navigation: VORs and glideslope not wired/setup ADS-B In: Sentry ADS-B receiver with custom phone holder on pilot’s yoke, integrates with ForeFlight for navigation, weather, traffic, and ceiling data ADS-B Out: UAvionix Tailbeacon Transponder: New Garmin GTX-325 (installed 2024, lower left dash) Power: USB power on yoke for phone charging Why This Twin Comanche? Low TTAF (2,350 hours): Exceptionally low for a 60-year-old aircraft Original Design Integrity: Minimal modifications, true to its 1965 roots Turnkey Ready: No immediate investment needed – fly it daily with confidence Proven Reliability: Mechanically sound engines and airframe, meticulously maintained and regularly flown. Unique Opportunity: Rarely does a PA-30 in this condition come to market Seller’s Note This Twin Comanche has been a joy to own, but my business’s fleet of four aircraft is one too many for the IRS. This plane is perfect for a pilot seeking a reliable, low-time, classic twin for time-building or cross-country adventures. Don’t miss out on this exceptionally preserved PA-30!

2350

1,301 lb

2350

SOH

2000

2350

SOH

2000

HARTZELL

Yes