N9014P

PA24-260 Piper Comanche

Operating Checklist

Phoenix Flyers, Inc.

www.phoenixflyers.org

Phoenix VFR Frequencies

Airports
Buckeye (BXK)
Casa Grande (CGZ)
AWOS 132.17
Chandler Stellar (P09)
Chandler (CHD)
ATIS 128.325
Ground
Unicom 122.95
Glendale (GEU)
ATIS 119.42
Ground
Unicom 122.95
Mesa Falcon Field (FFZ)
ATIS 118.25
Ground
Unicom 122.95
Mesa Williams Gateway (IWA)
ATIS
133.5
Ground
Unicom 122.85
Clnc Del
Phoenix Deer Valley (DVT)
ATIS
126.5
Ground
Unicom 122.95
Clnc Del
Phoenix Goodyear (GYR)
ATIS 118.35
Ground
Unicom 122.95
Phoenix Regional (A39)
Scottsdale (SDL)
ATIS
118.6
Unicom 122.95

TPA
CTAF/Unicom
TPA
CTAF/Unicom
TPA
CTAF/Unicom
TPA
124.4 Tower (NW)
Tower (SE)
TPA
118.0
Tower

2000
122.8
2500
122.7
2000
122.9
2200
126.1
133.1
2100
121.0

TPA
Tower (NW)
Tower (SE)
TPA
Tower (E)
Tower (W)
TPA
Tower (N)
Tower (S)
TPA
Tower

2200
119.7
124.6
2600
124.7
120.6
2500
120.2
118.4
1968
120.1

TPA
CTAF
TPA
Tower

2100
122.9
2500
119.9

121.3

128.25
118.8
121.8
123.9
121.7

Ground
121.6
Clnc Del
124.8
Phoenix Approach
(5500' & below)
North
120.7
East
(5500' & below)
South
123.7
Other Phoenix Area Frequencies
Luke Approach
North
118.15
South
Air to Air (Practice Area North
122.75
South
Prescott Radio
122.2
122.6
Navigation Aids
Phoenix
PXR
115.6
Willie
IWA
Stanfield
TFD
114.8
Buckeye
BXK
PHX DME
I-PHX
111.5

124.9

125.45
122.85

113.3
110.6

Piper Comanche PA24-260

Starting
Before Starting Engine
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Preflight Complete.
Seat Belts, Shoulder Harness - ON.
Passengers Briefed.
Radios - OFF.
All Electrical Switches - OFF.
Fuel Selector - Tank with most fuel.
Brakes - Test and Apply.
Gear Switch Down.
Alternate Air - OFF.

Starting Engine When Cold

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.

Prop - Full Increase.

Mixture Idle Cut Off.
Master Switch - ON.
Check Gear Lights - ON.
Prime Engine:
a. Throttle - inch Open.
b. Electric Fuel Pump - ON.
c. Mixture - Rich 3 to 5 seconds then OFF.
(Look for Fuel Flow Indication then Mixture OFF)
d. Fuel Pump OFF
Throttle - inch Open.
Propeller Area Clear.
Engage Starter, Advance Mixture when Engine Fires.
Throttle - Adjust (800 to 1000 RPM)
Oil Pressure - Check.
Mixture - Lean for Taxi.

Starting Engine When Hot

1. Same as Cold Except:
- Do NOT Prime Engine.

Starting Engine When Flooded

1. Same as Cold Except:
- Do NOT Prime Engine.
- Throttle Full Open.
Neil Tracht, 1996 to 2012

Piper Comanche PA24-260

Taxi
Before Taxi
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Anti-Collision Lights - ON.

Flaps Retract.
Avionics Master Switch ON.
Radios - ON and Set.
NAV/GPS ON and Set (GPS Flight Plan, VOR Check)
Clearances - ATIS, Clearance Delivery, Ground.
Transponder Standby.
Landing Light as Necessary.
Navigation and Interior Lights as Desired.
Brakes - Test on Initial Roll.

Neil Tracht, 1996 to 2012

Piper Comanche PA24-260

Run Up
Run Up
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Brakes - Set.
Fuel Selector - Tank with Most Fuel.
Flight Controls - Free and Correct.
Oil Temperature - In Green (Beginning to come up).
Mixture RICH (Except High Density Altitude, see addendum).
*
Throttle 1800 or 2000 RPM.
- Engine Instruments - Check.
- Mixture - Lean above 4000 ft. density altitude.
- Magnetos - Check Right - Both - Left - Both.

(Max. Drop 125 RPM, Max. Delta 50 RPM)

7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.

- Alternate Air - Check Operation (RPM drop).

**
- Prop - Cycle 1 to 3 Times.
(Keep RPM drop to less than 100 RPM)
- Vacuum - 4.8" to 5.1"
- Alternator Output - Check.
- Throttle Retard (800 TO 1200 RPM).
Throttle Friction Lock Adjust.
Flight Instruments - Set.
Auto Pilot Test and verify RDY light on.
Circuits Breakers - Check.
Trim Tab Set for Takeoff.
Radios Set Up.
NAV/GPS Set.
Pitot Heat - As Desired.
Anti-Collision Lights - ON.
Cabin Door and Window - Closed and Locked.
Note Time Off.

Before Takeoff
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Transponder - On Altitude.
Electric Fuel Pump - ON.
Anti-Collision Lights ON.
Mixture - Rich (unless high altitude).
Prop - Full Forward.

Arizona Aircraftsman recommends 1800 RPM for a safe check and less
wear on the engine, the POH recommends 2000 RPM.
**
The POH recommends 3 prop cycles only in cold weather.
Neil Tracht, 1996 to 2012

Piper Comanche PA24-260

Takeoff, Climb Out, Cruise
Normal Takeoff
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Brakes Release.
Full Throttle.
Rotate at - 80 MPH.
Gear Up / Flaps Up.
Climb Speed - 111 MPH.

Short Field
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Flaps - 15.
Brakes - Apply & Hold, Full Throttle.
Brakes - Release.
Rotate @ 75 MPH.
Lift-Off @ 77 MPH.
Gear Up.
Climb Speed - 87 MPH.
Flaps - Retract, Slowly accelerate to 111 MPH.

Soft Field
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Flaps - 15.
Full back elevator pressure.
Slowly Increase to Full Throttle.
Lift Nose as soon as possible.
Accelerate in ground effect.
Gear Up / Flaps Up.
Climb Speed - 111 MPH.

Climb
1. Normal - 25MP, 2500 RPM, 21 GPH.
2. Best Cooling - Full Throttle, 2500 RPM, Mixture Rich.
3. Electric Fuel Pump - OFF at 1000 feet AGL.
- Check Fuel Pressure.
4. Best Rate - 111 MPH.
5. Best Angle - 87 MPH.
6. Enroute - 130 MPH.

Cruise
1. Power - Set to Power Table and Lean Mixture.
- 23 MP, 2300 RPM, 14 GPH @ 3000 feet.
2. Landing Light - OFF.
Neil Tracht, 1996 to 2012

Piper Comanche PA24-260

Approach and Landing
Before Landing (Down Wind)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.

16 MP, 2500 RPM, 110 MPH.

Seat Belts, Shoulder Harness - On.
Seat Backs - Up.
Electric Fuel Pump - On.
Fuel Selector - Fullest Tank.
Mixture - Set.
Landing Light - As Desired.
Gear Down Below 150 MPH (125 MPH Rec.)
Autopilot OFF.
Abeam Touch Down Point - 12 MP.
15 Flaps.

Normal Landing
1. Base: 100 MPH, GUMP Check, Flaps 25.
2. Final: 90 MPH, Three Green, Flaps 32.

Short Field Landing

1. Extend Downwind by 4-5 Seconds.
2. Reduce Approach Speeds to 85 MPH, Add 2 MP.

After Landing
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Flaps Retract.
Transponder - Standby.
Landing Light / Anti-Collision Lights as Desired.
Fuel Pump - Off.
Mixture - Lean for taxi.

Neil Tracht, 1996 to 2012

Piper Comanche PA24-260

Engine Shutdown
Engine Shutdown
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

Brakes - Apply and Hold.

Electrical Equipment OFF.
Avionics Master - OFF.
Lights - OFF.
Electric Fuel Pump - OFF.
Throttle - 1200 RPM.
Mixture - Idle Cut Off.
Magnetos - OFF.
Master Switch - OFF.
Secure Control Wheel.
Tie Down Plane.
Brakes - OFF.

Neil Tracht, 1996 to 2012

Piper Comanche PA24-260

Airspeeds / Emergencies
Best Glide - 90 MPH (Endurance)
Best Glide - 105 MPH (Range)
VS0

67

MPH

VS1

75

MPH

VX

87

MPH (Gear Up, Flaps Up)

VX

77

MPH (Gear Down, Flaps Up)

VY

111

MPH (Gear Up, Flaps Up)

VY

97

MPH (Gear Down, Flaps Up)

VA

109

MPH @ Empty 1718 lbs

VA

146

MPH @ Gross 3100 lbs

VFE

125

MPH (Rec. 100 MPH)

VLE

150

MPH (Rec. 125 MPH)

VLO

150

MPH (Rec. 125 MPH)

VNE

222

MPH

VNO

180

MPH

Neil Tracht, 1996 to 2012

Piper Comanche PA24-260

High Density Altitude Operations
Note: Use High Density Altitude procedures above 5000 feet
density altitude.
Starting and Taxi
1. Use normal starting procedures.
2. Mixture - Lean prior to taxi to prevent plug fouling.

Run Up
1. Prior to Run Up Enrich mixture approximately way between
setting for taxi and full rich.
2. Use Normal Run Up procedures.

Takeoff
3. Use short field technique except where conditions and safety
permit a normal takeoff.
4. Prior to Takeoff:
a. Position aircraft to maximize runway length.
b. Brakes - Apply & Hold.
c. Full Throttle.
d. Mixture Lean for fuel flow corresponding to altitude.
- See fuel flow indicator.
e. Brakes - Release.
5. Follow short or normal takeoff technique as appropriate.

Precautions
1. Engine Temperature.
a. Watch for excessive oil and cylinder head temperatures
when operating at high power settings leaned for best
power.
2. Tips for improved engine cooling.
a. Use reduced power settings.
b. Enrich mixture.
c. Use climb speed of 130 MPH or faster.

Neil Tracht, 1996 to 2012

Piper Comanche PA24-260

Emergencies
Gear Failure
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Gear Switch Down.

Check Bulbs.
Check Circuit Breaker.
Master Switch On.
Turn Panel Lights off.
Manual Gear Extension:
- Lift cover off Manual Gear Extension box on floor.
- Follow the checklist on the back of the plate.
- Airspeed below 100 MPH.
- Disengage electric motor.
- Push release arm forward.
- Extend emergency handle to full length.
- Push Handle full forward.
- Do not operate gear after manual operation.

Comanche PA24-260
Engine Failure
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Pitch / Trim for Best Glide - 90 mph / 105 mph.

Fuel Pump - ON.
Alternate Air - ON.
Mixture - Rich.
Prop - Full Forward.
Mags - Check Both.
Switch Fuel Tanks.
Power Off Landing - If Engine will not Restart.
- Select Landing Location.
- Prop - Full Back to extend glide.
- Gear Down? - Will take 7 seconds to extend.
- Normal Radio Procedure (Squawk 7700,

Mayday on 121.5).
- Normal Shutdown (Fuel Pump OFF, Mixture OFF,

Fuel Selector OFF, Mags OFF).

- Before Landing (Seat belts tight, Door Open,

Master Switch OFF).

Neil Tracht, 1996 to 2012

Piper Comanche PA24-260

Emergencies
Engine Fire
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Firewall Air Vents (Heat, Defroster) Closed.

Mixture - Idle Cutoff.
Fuel Selector OFF.
Throttle Idle.
Electric Fuel Pump OFF.
Descend rapidly (do not exceed VNE).
Prepare for power off landing.

Electrical Fire
1. Master Switch OFF.
2. Cabin Vents Open.
3. Verify source of smoke is out.
4. Leave any tripped breakers off.
5. Restore electrical items one at a time.
6. Land as soon as possible.
Piper Comanche PA24-

Neil Tracht, 1996 to 2012