Ferrying A Comanche To The Twilight Zone

Submitted for your approval. I looked at a few Comanche's before buying my twin, and had an interesting experience that I thought I would share. The journey starts out with me ferrying a plane from several states away back to my home state of N.J. for a pre-buy inspection. In short, I could not come to terms with the owner and the plane had to be returned . And this is where Rod Sterling would say, 'we are about to enter the Twilight Zone'. I decided to hire an out of state ferry pilot. Why - because it was inexpensive (Mistaaaake!!!) . On the day the plane was to be ferried back, I called the airport (from work) and asked if the plane had left - it did. I got back to my responsibilities, and expected all would go well. Later that evening I got a call from the owner asking where the plane was. I told him I didn't know what time it departed, but he should arrive shortly. I went to sleep early that evening, and the next day I noticed I had several calls from the stressed out owner on my cell - THE PLANE NEVER SHOWED UP!! I panicked - was there a crash? Was the airplane stolen? Later that day we found out the ferry pilot left the plane 20-miles away due to weather - strange, as the weather was supposed to be severe clear. A few days later the owner went to pick up his Comanche, and what he found was incredible. The interior was a mess! It looked like John Belushi had a frat party in the plane. There were potato chips strewn all over the cabin. There was oil stained finger prints on the panel. The ferry pilot apparently enjoyed chewing tobacco and left a spit jar on the floor. He missed the jar a few times and there was tobacco stains on the floor and leather seats. Speaking of stains, there were unidentified yellow stains in the plane - yes, he was carrying a "little john". (Clearly he was out of practice with his precision approach). To top it off, the plane had a portable Garmin 496 that was missing.

The owner was fit to be tied. He began questioning people on the flight line, and the story got more bizarre. Several people said, "the man that flew that Comanche was drunk"! Witnesses said the pilot stumbled out of the plane. While de-planing he unshamefully put two empty six packs on the ramp. Oddly enough, he thought it was completely appropriate to empty his "little john" right on the ramp. His last act was to take the portable GPS and quickly exit the airport, while a yellow stream from his little john made its way across the ramp. Do you hear the twilight zone music playing?

In his drunken stupor the pilot failed to realize this airport had surveillance cameras'. His drunken behavior was captured, along with his theft of the GPS, and his act of giving the ramp a golden shower. Naturally when confronted, he denied everything but changed his story when hearing about the cameras. His story was that he took the GPS to safeguard it from theft - how thoughtful. He attributed the other mess to vandals. You know the kind - the tobacco chewing, potato chip eating kind that use a little john when vandalizing a parked airplane. Clearly the gene pool need a little chlorine.

I apologized profusely to the owner, even promising I would buy him a new GPS and detail his plane. I monitored the flight on a flight tracking web site. It seemed after he departed my home airport, he landed 40 miles west for a short stop. We suspect to pick up his friend Mr. Budweiser. I also noticed he did not hold an altitude for more than 10 minutes. He porpoised between 6 and 4 thousand feet all the way back. It also showed that his flight became more and more erratic as it progressed. Everyone I tell this story to, even the old-timers, are amazed. Jaws drop. This guy made that crop duster in Independence Day look like a model pilot! The difference is Independence Day is a fictional movie, this ferry pilot is REAL!!

Did I learn anything? If someone is going to fly your airplane, make sure they are not drunk. Second - never dump your 'little john' on the ramp...you never know who is watching. This really is not a laughing matter - it could have been a disaster. Fortunately no one died, no one got hurt, and while the airplane was soiled (as was the ramp), it was not damaged. Being a pilot is serious business. The cheapest price is not always the best deal. We all cut corners in our lives - don't do it with your plane or your flying...or you might end up in the Twilight Zone!!

Oshkosh 2008

Last year I took my Twin Comanche on its first long trip to AirVenture 2008. It was the second year for me. It really is amazing the different places you get to see simply because you own an airplane. This year we departed from Princeton, N.J. into marginal VFR weather en-route to Ohio. We had a weather diversion, but we eventually ended up in Sandusky, OH prior to our final destination. By the time we reached Sandustky, it was an hour prior to dusk, and it was a nice picturesque end to our long trip. Once fueled up we headed to an island in Lake Erie called Put-In-Bay. We were all disappointed that we didn't come here earlier in the day, as the island seemed really cool. Most people get around the island in golf carts. I guess the bizarre aspect of all this was the place had an "island" feel - yet we were in the middle of the country. Anyway, we had dinner at a nice restaurant, ate outside, and because there are not many cars here - we didn't have to deal with the noisy automobiles whizzing by the restaurant. It real was a great find for us. The plan is to go back this year. You can rent a golf cart at the airport - just land before dark because the airport closes after dusk. After Put-In Bay we flew VFR and headed to Oshkosh. Due to a crash at Oshkosh, we had to stop 30 miles short of our destination. After a short delay, we headed to AirVenture.

As usual, everyone flying with us was directed to "look for other planes" to avoid a mid-air collision. It was fun flying into Oshkosh for the second year in a row. This year I camped - I never liked it as a kid, and I certainly don't like it as an adult. Being right next to the Johnny On The Spot's was a real treat. Especially at 2am when they are being emptied. By the way, you just have not experienced life until you do "serious business" in one of these things in 95 degree weather. I find that 100% humidity really accentuates the perfume like smell. I have decided this year I am getting a room. Our flight to Oshkosh is memorialized on YouTube at the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gma39oW_x2o&feature=channel_page

Once again, Oshkosh was a blast. If you are a pilot, you need to make the trip at least once. I think the best part is hanging out and being with like-minded people that love avation. Every kind of airplane is there, every vendor associated with aviation is there, and people come here from all over the globe. Ultralights, vintage aircraft, war birds, jets, military planes, Cubs and Light Sport - Oshkosh has it all!!

Hopefully the pictures covey some of the fun we had in Oshkosh....

My First Airplane - 1979 Piper Archer II

Here are some pics of my first airplane. I put a lot of money into this panel. It was a great airplane! One of the great pilot resources out there is Aviation Consumer. They review almost every general aviation airplane out there, and I think they take a balanced approach in their reviews. The point, they really have nothing bad to say about this airplane. It is a comfortable ride, easy to fly, a bulletproof engine and carries a decent load. What is not to like? I prefer the Archer over the Cessna 172. The only drawback is the 172 was a little easier to land.

Purchasing a Comanche

So you are considering a Comanche? I have some pointers based on my own personal experience regarding the pre-purchase process. They are: (1) Be patient - keep in mind some of these airplanes are more than 40-years of age. Finding the right airplane requires patience, and is similar to looking for a spouse. Hasty decisions may result in you waking up next to someone that is difficult, annoying and a hazard to your health. When you eventually get rid of them, it costs you way more than you ever imagined. So be patient. (2) Join the International Comanche Society ("ICS") BEFORE you purchase the airplane. The folks on the forum are knowledgeable, friendly and eager to help. Investment in a membership is small, but it pays big dividends. (3) Educate yourself about the Comanche brand. Look at prices on Controller, ASO, Trade-A-Plane and similar web sites. (4) VRef - while I don't consider this service (provided by AOPA) gospel, but it does provide you with a reference point on whether an owners asking price is reasonable. (5) Most importantly, find yourself a proficient Comanche mechanic. No, not someone that did an annual on a Comanche two years ago, rather someone that is well versed in these airplanes. If you don't know one, ICS can help you find one.

Be prepared to spend money on your due diligence. If you are like me, I looked at three planes BEFORE purchasing N931JS. It is better to spend $1,500 on a good pre-purchase inspection and walk away, then to pay $80K for an airplane only worth $50K. In the long run you are saving yourself money. Take this process seriously. Ask questions - did the previous owner(s) take care of the airplane? How is the compression, when was the last time the gear was inspected, are the logs complete, is there damage history? Bill Creech, the ICS Technical Advisor, sells a book on ICS' web site that identifies many of the things that are important to look for in the pre-purchase inspection. Buy it.

Please don't consider what I present here as exhaustive and formal advice. It is merely some thoughts concerning my own experience. Do your homework, become proficient with the Comanche brand, your knowledge will serve this process.

If you are lucky enough to find a mint Comanche, and there are plenty out there, PLEASE take care of it. Don't let it sit for long periods. If you cant take it out for a few hours, go down to the airport and fly it around the pattern. The engine(s) need exercise. If the plane needs mechanical attention - address it. This machine is responsible for keeping you safely suspended above the earth, it has your life in its hands - treat it with the care and respect it deserves.

One final point. There is a reason they call this a "complex airplane", and it is not simply due to the FAA's definition thereof. This airplane requires more of your flying attention than a Cessna 172. I am not talking high math here, but the truth is the Comanche (and other complex airplanes) do not fly like your trainer. Use your checklist - before, during and after your flight. Getting the plane configured for landing is not accomplished by simply chopping the power 5-miles out. The laminar flow wing requires advance planning. Go through the GUMPS checks a few times in the pattern. Know your airplane and know your own limitations! The Comanche is not dangerous, but as Ryan Furguson says, it demands respect. All too often I read on the ICS or Delphi forum about a newly minted Comanche owner killing themselves (and others) because their flying skills are not up to speed. Are you ready to fly IFR in a Comanche? Do you know your power settings? Could you still fly the plane in IFR conditions with an emergency? Honestly evaluate your flying abilities at that moment, and make your fly/no fly decision based on that, and not your ability to get to your destination.

I hope this helps.

Why A Twin Comanche?

THIS WAS PUBLISHED IN JANUARY 2009 COMANCHE FLYER

I earned my pilots license in 2001, and like many others received my training in a C-172. During training I was spending a lot of money on airplane rentals, so I thought it made sense to buy. I bough a one-fourth share in a 1978 C-172.

After I passed my checkride, I found sharing a plane too restrictive, so I also joined a flying club that had four airplanes, one of which was a Piper Archer. I loved how the Piper flew, the panel layout, the view it provided from being a low wing airplane, and decided that Piper was for me. I sold my share in the 172, left the flying club, and purchased a Piper Archer II. It treated me well. I took it to Oshkosh, Sun N Fun, and used it for business and pleasure.

Over time, I outgrew the airplane and decided it was time to step up. I had two requirements - I wanted to carry more and go faster - all of this on a budget. It surprised me that there really weren't many choices. It seemed that the real choice was BETWEEN going faster OR carrying more...not both. I looked at a Mooney - a fast airplane, but it carried very little and seemed cramped for my hulking, well defined physique : - ). I looked at the Piper Lance and the Six. Both were nice airplanes, but they didn't go much faster than my Archer. There were other contenders, but each came up short. Then I stumbled onto a Comanche. "It's a Piper" I thought. I asked around, did the research and my quest began. I looked at a number of singles and twins. Being that the airplane was approximately 40 years old, I took a simple approach - I found a mechanic that knew Comanches - this was Steve Richard of Central Jersey Airport. A former Comanche owner, and plenty of experience with the brand. I had him look at airplanes stem to stern. It is not cheap to fly a mechanic all over the country, but I thought it was money well spent.

I eventually bought a 1969 Twin. It had a lot of goodies - a slaved HSI, Garmin 530W, autopilot and Robertson STOL kit. For me, it is the utlimate flying machine. It is much faster than the Archer, has more room, doesn't burn a lot of fuel, and is a pleasure to fly. It also seems solid - a real flying tank.

My first adventure in the Twinkie was the 50-year celebration of the Comanche at AirVenture last summer. We parked amongst the many beautiful planes. What a thrill!

Is there anything I don't like about the Comanche? Well, uh...that thing we do at the end of each flight...the landing. I was told that this airplane was not for the easily embarrassed. Truer words were never spoken. I have managed to improve my landings with tips from members on the Comanche website. But clearly my twin landing abilities are a work in progress.

In a perfect world, pilots should have an airplane for every mission. A five-mile radius plane, a $100 hamburger plane, a fast airplane for business, and lets not forget a jet - for flying to Paris for dinner, also known as the $20,000 hamburger. Most of us don't have those kinds of resources. But in truth, whether doing pattern work or going across the country, the Comanche serves most missions, and serves them well. Pound for pound the Comanche separates itself from the rest of the pack in terms of speed, utility and economy.

You can find an airplanes that go faster and carry more. But until I have "John Travolta" money, I am going to stick with the Twinkie.

The Northeast Tribe Get Together In Lancaster, PA

This past weekend, I took the Twinkie over to Lancaster, PA to meet fellow members of the International Comanche Society. I belong to the Northeast Tribe. About 20 people showed up with some nice airplanes. I have to say I am getting tired of this cold weather - even pulling the plane out of a heated hangar is getting to be a real pain. Weather in the northeast sucks this time of year. Maybe I am just getting old? Next month is Sun N Fun and Key West!