On the subject of Piper (GA) a/c (please see my previous post on PA-46T Malibu), in the recent past, I had collected another Piper a/c, but, had not got to fly it yet...So, here, we go, with (PA-30) Twin Comanche. Though the PA-23 Apache was the first ever twin-engined aircraft made by Piper, it was actually a design derivative from the "Stinson Aircraft Company". Piper transformed an original Stinson design (the "Twin Stinson") into the successful Piper Apache, the world's first general aviation all-metal twin-engined modern aircraft. So, the roots of Piper's (remarkable) Twin tradition lie buried in the Stinson company, which it later acquired in 1948. [Side Note: It's worthy of mention, here, a bit, about the Stinson Aircraft Company, one of the oldest a/c company in the U.S., and one that pre-dates the big three (Cessna/Beech/Piper) by nearly a decade. For example, consider:

1. Stinson's very first a/c, the Stinson Detroiter SB-1 (for "Stinson Biplane model 1"), was the plane that not only had a rare (for the period) enclosed cabin, it also had heat (which was a big plus given the cold Michigan winter...which...some of us, here, can vouch for...🙂...), upholstered seats and side panels, and even an electric cigar lighter. It became an overnight success...
2. Northwest Airlines (then Northwest Airways), one of the oldest airlines in U.S. (and now merged in today's oldest "operating" Delta Airlines), sold its first passenger ticket in July 1927, on their first of several SB-1 Stinson Detroiters. (Delta/NWA/PanAm were founded within a year of one another in 1925/1926/1927, in that order)...]

Back to Twin Comanche: The Piper PA-30 (PA-30/PA-39 are sometimes called "Twinkie"), while intended to replace the PA-23, had very different roots and looks. To compete with the Cessna 310 and Beech Baron, it was designed as a twin-engined variant of the (single-engined) Piper PA-24 Comanche, and the work was outsourced to the notable aeronautical engineer (and conversion specialist), Ed Swearingen (also remembered as aviation pioneer Dee Howard’s “miracle mechanic”). The PA-30 Twin Comanche was likely the best known work that Swearingen did for Piper, though he is also well known for the development of the Swearingen Merlin (later the Fairchild Merlin), based on modifications of the Beech Twin Bonanza.

The PA-30 was a complex and efficient design for its time, and when compared with the (much later) (Piper) Seminole, the Twin Comanche ...goes faster, carries more, burns less fuel, climbs more rapidly and ultimately higher, and is quieter. Nonetheless, after more than 2000 units were built (and sold), its production abruptly came to an end when the Lock Haven, PA, factory was flooded during Hurricane Agnes in 1972, destroying (production) tooling, airframes and parts...(Piper would then permanently relocate to Vero Beach, FL, for its home). Also, to compensate for the (accident) risk associated with PA-30, of loss-of-control in single-engine operation, Piper sought to redesign the plane's single-engine behavior. The resulting PA-39 Twin Comanche C/R (Counter-Rotating) version would replace the PA-30 in the early 1970s. So, the PA-30 may not have had the long production life of its Beech and Cessna rivals, yet it retains its enduring appeal as a classic (and graceful) light Piper twin (sought after, even today, (and pricey too), been upgraded with modernized avionics).

Milviz a/c always come with a high standard of quality, and this is no exception. About this one, Milviz says, "The Twin Comanche completes our trilogy of light twins...", by that, I believe, they mean their trio (C310, PA30, B55). They also say, "It (= PA-30) is a must for the general aviation enthusiast who would rather fly the plane themselves than let an autopilot have all the fun"...Oh well...while being respectful of this pedigree of this plane, I've, however, elected to use the (nice and convenient) MilViz Addon Management System (MVAMS) to equip my Twin Comanche with a KAP 140 Autopilot system...for my personal convenience...(additionally, for my potential (touring) needs of extended range, I've effortlessly added (artistic) Wing-Tip Fuel Tanks (see images), via the same MVAMS user interface).

For locale, for my test flight, here, with this new plane, I'm using a freeware Orbx Airport KHQM (Bowerman) scenery, that I picked up today. Bowerman is a coastal town/airport, located ~100 miles southwest of Seattle-Tacoma (WA). At Lana's Cafe (see first two shots, below), after been satiated with lunch of a hearty sandwich and a delicious shake (did check the Menu...🙂...), I have lifted off (KHQM) Rwy 24 for a distance of about 20 miles outward over the beautiful North Bay (the vast Pacific lies further west), and, then, after a U-turn, have headed back to land on Rwy 06. AirNav tells me that KHQM has an ILS/DME approach for only its Rwy 24 (from the inland side), but not for Rwy 06 (from the ocean side). I noted that FSX did match this (above) piece of AirNav data (i.e. no ILS transmitter signals available for approach to Rwy 06, as was my case). KHQM, however, does provide RNAV (GPS) Rwy 06 and VOR Rwy 06 based Instrument Approach procedures. In this post, for my landing into Rwy 06 (please see images below), I've simply opted, instead, to make use of the [REV] button (i.e. the "Back Course" localizer hold) of the (MVAMS) customized KAP Autopilot, the panel, been, inserted neatly and accessibly, at the extreme LHS edge of the front instrument deck, just under the ALTIMETER/FLAP gauges.

However, without any (ILS) vertical (GS) guidance, during my approach into Rwy 06, I had to manually control descent (and, uncomfortably, came a bit too close to ending up in the water (or on the foreground), just ahead of the Rwy threshold...(virtual pilot, over-indulged, in the SIM, by the comfort of ILS...🙂...)...anyway, I managed to touchdown on the Numbers...(see images). BTW, I also noted, on AirNav, for KHQM, an interesting (but cautionary) remark as follows, "FLOCKS OF WATERFOWL ON AND IN VCNTY ARPT. CAUTION ADZD." In fact, I spotted many such Waterfowls, during my short flight, here,...and, you, too, can spot a few of these birds flying in the sky (e.g. in my shot # 3, below, just after lift-off).

Hope you enjoy this collection of pictures of this iconic Piper Twin, along with a few images of the airport itself...! One can see the (geographical) topology of both (east/land) and (west/ocean) sides of the KHQM (06/24) Rwy in my final 2 screenshots below.

Thanks for your interest...!

[MilViz (PA-30), Orbx (Freeware KHQM), REX]

Superb shots buddy! 😉 

Superb Series

Wow, great shots and narration, P_7878!!

Alaska738, Patrick, Bernd:

Appreciated the kind words...!!