Piper PA-24 Comanche weight and balance & performance calculator
The Piper PA-24 Comanche is a four-seat touring aircraft with retractable gear and constant-speed propeller with retractable gear and piston engine. BriefingPal has 1 model of the PA-24 Comanche on file – PA-24-260 Comanche C (IO-540-N1A5) – with data from the Pilot's Operating Handbook for weight and balance, takeoff and landing distances, climb and cruise. Free, no sign-up.
* PA-24-260 Comanche C (IO-540-N1A5), MTOW, sea level / 6,500 ft, ISA – details below
Calculate the Piper PA-24 Comanche weight, CG and takeoff distance
Your own empty mass (weighing report, optional)
The POH has no standard empty moment for this model – enter the empty mass CG from your weighing report to get the CG.
Leave empty to use the typical POH empty mass. Your aircraft's weighing report is what counts.
Calculated on the BriefingPal server from the POH data. Nothing is stored, no cookie. Planning aid only – the POH/AFM and your weighing report are authoritative.
PA-24 Comanche key figures by model
| Model | Built | MTOW | Empty mass¹ | Usable fuel | Max. baggage | Useful load with full fuel¹ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PA-24-260 Comanche C (IO-540-N1A5) | 1969–1972 | 1,452 kg (3,200 lb) | 952 kg (2,098 lb) | 56 US gal (212 L) | 113 kg (250 lb) | 348 kg (766 lb) |
¹ Typical empty mass from the POH sample loading; your aircraft's current weighing report applies. Useful load = MTOW − empty mass − usable fuel (people, baggage, oil if not included).
PA-24 Comanche takeoff and landing distance
BriefingPal result at MTOW, sea level, 15 °C, no wind, dry paved runway, normal takeoff and landing per POH with the app's default flap setting, without safety factor:
| Model | Takeoff ground roll | Takeoff over 50 ft | Landing over 50 ft | Landing ground roll |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PA-24-260 Comanche C (IO-540-N1A5) | 415 m (1,360 ft) | 550 m (1,800 ft) | 485 m (1,590 ft) | 310 m (1,020 ft) |
Hot and high: at 5,000 ft and 25 °C (density altitude about 7,300 ft) the PA-24-260 Comanche C (IO-540-N1A5) needs about 1,055 m (3,470 ft) to clear 50 ft – 92 % more than at sea level. Calculate density altitude →
In BriefingPal you enter your actual weight, airfield, temperature and wind. The app reads the POH charts for these conditions, compares the result with TORA/LDA of the selected runway and can add a 1.15 safety factor.
PA-24 Comanche climb and cruise performance
| Model | Rate of climb at sea level | Time / fuel to 6,500 ft | Cruise TAS at 6,500 ft | Fuel flow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PA-24-260 Comanche C (IO-540-N1A5) | 1,320 fpm | 6 min / 1.6 US gal | 152 kt | 12.7 US gal/h (48 L/h) |
MTOW, ISA, default power setting of the POH cruise table (≈65 % power for PA-24-260 Comanche C (IO-540-N1A5)). Values change with weight, temperature and the power you choose in the app.
PA-24 Comanche weight and balance in BriefingPal
Loading stations: seat row 1, seat row 2, baggage compartment, fuel. Maximum baggage: 113 kg (250 lb). Maximum landing mass 1,379 kg (3,040 lb) (PA-24-260 Comanche C (IO-540-N1A5)) – BriefingPal checks the landing point after trip fuel against it. Demonstrated crosswind: – Best rate of climb speed Vy: 97 KIAS. Service ceiling: 19,500 ft. Fuel: AVGAS.
How to calculate PA-24 Comanche weight and balance
- Choose the PA-24 ComancheType the registration or pick Piper → PA-24 Comanche → your model. Stored weighing data of the registration are used automatically.
- Enter people, baggage and fuelWeights in kg or lb, fuel in US gallons or litres. MTOW and every station limit are checked instantly.
- Check the CG envelopeTakeoff, zero-fuel and landing points are drawn into the PA-24 Comanche envelope from the POH.
- Add airfields and routeTakeoff and landing distances, climb, cruise and fuel follow from the same weight – then print the briefing PDF.
PA-24 Comanche – frequently asked questions
What is the maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of the PA-24 Comanche?
PA-24-260 Comanche C (IO-540-N1A5): 1,452 kg (3,200 lb).
How much usable fuel does the PA-24 Comanche carry?
PA-24-260 Comanche C (IO-540-N1A5): 56 US gal (212 L).
What is the useful load of the PA-24 Comanche with full fuel?
With the typical POH empty mass and full usable fuel: PA-24-260 Comanche C (IO-540-N1A5): 348 kg (766 lb). Your aircraft's real empty mass is in its weighing report – BriefingPal can store it per registration.
How long is the PA-24 Comanche takeoff distance?
PA-24-260 Comanche C (IO-540-N1A5) at MTOW, sea level, 15 °C, no wind: ground roll about 415 m (1,360 ft), over 50 ft about 550 m (1,800 ft). At 5,000 ft and 25 °C it grows to about 1,055 m (3,470 ft). Always check the POH for your exact conditions.
Is there a free PA-24 Comanche weight and balance calculator?
Yes. BriefingPal is free and needs no account. It covers 1 model of the PA-24 Comanche, draws the CG envelope from the POH and also computes takeoff and landing distances, climb, cruise and fuel – with a briefing PDF.
Data source
All figures come from the manufacturer's Pilot's Operating Handbook / Airplane Flight Manual of each model (weight and balance section and performance section) and are computed with the BriefingPal engine. BriefingPal is a planning aid; the original POH/AFM of your aircraft and its weighing report remain authoritative.
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