The True Operating Cost of Piper Twin Comanche
The Piper Twin Comanche is an affordable twin-engine piston aircraft offering six-seat capacity, excellent performance, and proven reliability. Plan for $68,000–$86,000 annually in operating costs at 100 flight hours, or $680–$860 per hour. The Twin Comanche dominates affordable twin markets.
Quick Specs: Piper Twin Comanche
| Specification | Twin Comanche |
|---|---|
| Engines | 2 × Lycoming IO-320 (160 hp each) |
| Fuel Burn | 32–38 gal/hr cruise |
| Cruise Speed | 190–210 mph |
| Service Ceiling | 19,000 ft |
| Useful Load | 1,700–1,900 lbs |
| Seats | 6 |
| Range | 800–1,100 nm |
TL;DR: Piper Twin Comanche Annual Operating Cost Summary
- Fixed costs: $20,000–$28,000/year (insurance $2,600–$3,800, hangar $8,000–$11,000, annuals $5,000–$7,000, training)
- Variable costs at 100 hours: $48,000–$58,000/year (100LL fuel, oils, engine reserves)
- Total at 100 hours: $68,000–$86,000/year (~$680–$860/hour)
- Finance a $350,000 Twin Comanche: Add $5,100/month ($61,200/year) at 6.5% over 10 years
- At 50 hours: ~$44,000–$57,000/year (~$880–$1,140/hour)
- At 200 hours: ~$116,000–$144,000/year (~$580–$720/hour)
Twin-Engine Piston Operating Costs
Fixed Costs
- Insurance: $2,600–$3,800/year for $300,000–$400,000 hull
- Hangar: $8,000–$11,000/year (twin-engine facility)
- Annual inspection: $5,000–$7,000 labor (twin-engine systems)
- Crew training/proficiency: $2,000–$3,000/year
Variable Costs (per flight hour)
- 100LL fuel: 35 gal/hr × $6.50/gal = ~$227/hour
- Oil and lubricants: $8–$12/hour
- Engine reserves: $18–$24/hour ($21K per engine ÷ 2,000 TBO × 2)
- Twin-engine maintenance: $25–$35/hour
- Avionics/systems: $30–$45/hour
- Landing fees: $25–$50/landing
100LL Fuel & Operating Economics
Fuel Cost by Hours
| Annual Hours | Gallons 100LL | Cost @ $6.50/gal | $/Hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 1,750 | $11,375 | $227 |
| 100 | 3,500 | $22,750 | $227 |
| 150 | 5,250 | $34,125 | $227 |
| 200 | 7,000 | $45,500 | $227 |
Maintenance & Engine Reserves
Lycoming IO-320 Engines
- IO-320: 2,000 hours TBO
- Overhaul cost: $21,000–$28,000 per engine
- Combined reserve: $49,000 ÷ 2,000 = $24.50/hour
- Reliability: Proven piston engine
Twin-Engine Piston Maintenance
- Engine system checks: $1,600–$2,400/year
- Fuel system maintenance: $1,000–$1,500/year
- Alternator/electrical: $800–$1,200/year
- Cabin systems: $600–$900/year
- Budget: $60–$85/hour for all maintenance
Insurance & Storage
Twin-Engine Insurance
- $300,000 hull: $2,600–$3,200/year
- $400,000 hull: $3,400–$4,200/year
- Commercial operations: +15–25% premium
Storage Costs
| Option | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Twin-Engine Hangar | $650–$950 | $7,800–$11,400 |
| Tie-Down | $200–$300 | $2,400–$3,600 |
Annual Ownership Scenarios
Operating Cost (Not Financed)
| Hours/Year | Fixed | Variable | Total | $/Hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | $24,000 | $19,000 | $43,000 | $860 |
| 100 | $24,000 | $38,000 | $62,000 | $620 |
| 200 | $24,000 | $76,000 | $100,000 | $500 |
Total Cost of Ownership (With Financing)
Assume $350,000 Piper Twin Comanche, 6.5% APR, 10 years = $61,200/year debt service.
| Hours/Year | Operating | Finance | Total | $/Hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | $62,000 | $61,200 | $123,200 | $1,232 |
| 200 | $100,000 | $61,200 | $161,200 | $806 |
Financing the Piper Twin Comanche
- Purchase price: $300,000–$450,000
- Down payment: 15–20%
- Loan amount: $255,000–$385,000
- Term: 10–15 years
- APR: 5.75–7.0% (2025)
- Monthly payment: $4,400–$8,200
Lender Requirements: 650+ credit, multi-engine rating, $80,000+ annual income, business plan, hull insurance $300K+. Lenders like JakenAviation support twin-engine aircraft financing.
Piper Twin Comanche vs. Competitors
- vs. Beechcraft Baron: Twin Comanche lower wing; Baron proven classic
- vs. Cessna 310: Twin Comanche affordable; 310 larger cabin
Get prequalified for twin-engine aircraft financing »
Sources: Piper Aircraft Specs | AOPA Owner Reports | FAA TCDS