Piper Comanche Aircraft in North Carolina

North Carolina has a strong GA presence with hubs at Raleigh-Durham (RDU/TTA), Charlotte (KCLT/JQF), Asheville (AVL) and Wilmington (ILM). Honda Aircraft Company is based in Greensboro. Diverse terrain ranges from coastal to Appalachian. Year-round flying conditions favourable.

The Piper Comanche (PA-24) is a classic, fast, retractable-gear single — produced 1957-1972 with 180, 250, 260 and 400 hp variants on the same low-wing airframe. The 260 hp Comanche cruises near 160 knots; the rare 400 hp Comanche is one of the fastest piston singles of its era. The Comanche has a devoted owner community and is regarded as one of the best-handling singles of its generation.

Piper Comanche aircraft for sale

5 used Piper Comanche aircraft for sale in North Carolina · 4-seat · Used median asking $114,000 · updated 11 hours ago

Piper Comanche Specifications

Model spec

The Piper Comanche is a 4-seat single engine piston with a cruise speed of 157 kt (291 km/h), a range of 956 nm (1,771 km), and a useful load of 1,200 lbs (544 kg).

Performance
Cruise157 kt (291 km/h)
Max Speed165 kt (306 km/h)
Range956 nm (1,771 km)
Service Ceiling20,000 ft (6,096 m)
Engine & Fuel
Horsepower250 HP
Fuel Burn14.0 GPH (53 L/h)
Weights & Seats
Seats4
Max Gross Weight2,900 lbs (1,315 kg)
Useful Load1,200 lbs (544 kg)

Piper Comanche for Sale

Piper Comanche asking prices range from $40,499 to $180,888, with a median of $114,000 (market reference $130,000).

$79,000
For Sale
Total Time 6,440
Reg# N5217P US
Location Greensboro (), North Carolina
Multiple sources
$89,000
For Sale
Total Time 3,777
Reg# N949P US
Location Lumberton, North Carolina
Multiple sources
$139,900 ↓ -$10K
For Sale
Total Time 6,219
Reg# N8872P US
Location Louisburg, North Carolina
Multiple sources
Contact for Price
On Request
Total Time 4,589
Reg# N9171P US
Location Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Listed 18d ago
$133,000 ↓ -$5K
For Sale
Total Time 5,097
Location Summerfield, North Carolina

Compare Piper Comanche

See how the Piper Comanche stacks up against similar aircraft in specs, price, and operating costs.

Piper Comanche Price & Cost

How much does a Piper Comanche cost? Used Comanche prices: $40K – $180K, average $114K (median $114K); market reference $130K, across 56 priced of 5 active listings.

Piper Comanche Price Guide

Key price factors: engine time to overhaul, year and airframe hours, avionics, damage history and logbook completeness — see the buying guide below for the full pre-purchase checklist.

Piper Comanche Cost of Ownership estimate
Fuel (14.0 GPH × $6.20, 100 hrs)$8,680/yr
Estimates at 100 flight hours/year. Actual costs vary by usage, location and insurance.

Buying a Used Piper Comanche

Buying a Piper Comanche comes down to a focused pre-purchase checklist — here is what matters most on this model:

What to check before buying

Engine variant and time; retractable-gear AD and history (PA-24 has spar/strut ADs worth careful review); corrosion (older 1960s airframe); avionics; parts (some specific parts are scarce, though the Comanche Society helps). Which? 260 hp is the sweet-spot; 400 hp is the collector's choice; 180 hp the cheapest entry.

Frequently Asked Questions — Piper Comanche

Is the Piper Comanche a twin?
No — the PA-24 Comanche is a single-engine retractable. The twin-engine version is the separate PA-30/PA-39 Twin Comanche.
How much does a used Piper Comanche cost?
Pricing varies by engine — a 180 sits below a 250 or 260, and the rare 400 commands a premium. See the live price range and median above for current Comanche listings.
How fast is a Comanche?
Most Comanches cruise around 160 kt on relatively modest fuel burn thanks to a clean laminar-flow wing; the 400-hp model is faster but thirstier.
What engine options did the Comanche have?
180, 250, 260 and 400 hp. The 250 and 260 are the most common; the 400 is a rare, high-performance straight-six variant.

Piper Comanche Inventory by Country

United States53
Canada6
United Kingdom3
France1
Germany1
Italy1

Piper Comanche Inventory by State

California6
Georgia2
North Carolina2
Nebraska2
Tennessee2
Texas2

Piper Comanche by Price

Under $100k9
Under $200k30
Under $300k31
Under $500k31

Piper Comanche by Decade

1950s1
1960s3

Recently Sold Piper Comanche

1961 Comanche$120,000

Piper Comanche Safety Record

No NTSB events on record for the Piper Comanche. Individual aircraft safety records may be available on detail pages.

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

Disclaimer: All prices, cost estimates, and market values shown are based on asking prices from third-party sources and are provided for informational purposes only. AeroGurus is not an appraiser, broker, or financial advisor. Always obtain a professional appraisal and independent inspection before making a purchase decision.
Listings last refreshed 11 hours ago · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data