Piper PA24-250 Comanche

Simulation quick reference

Checklists

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  • Essential
  • Piloting
  • ATC
  • Realism
PREFLIGHT CHECK
BEFORE ENGINE START
ENGINE START
BEFORE TAXI
TAXI
RUN‑UP
BEFORE ENTERING RUNWAY
LINE-UP
TAKEOFF

Rotation speeds by weight

2,000 2,200 2,400 2,600 2,800 3,000
Vr normal takeoff flaps 0° 70 74 78 82 85 88
Vr short field flaps 18° 65 68 70 72 75 78

Speeds in mph, weights in lbs.

CLIMB
en-route climb target speed 110 mph

Climb speeds by weight

2,000 2,200 2,400 2,600 2,800 3,000
Vx best angle 76 78 80 82 84 86
Vy best rate 97 99 101 103 105 107

Speeds in mph, weights in lbs.

CRUISE

CRUISE SET-UP

CRUISE MONITORING

Every 15 minutes or at each turning point

CRUISE CLIMB AND DESCENT

Climb

target speed 110 mph

Descent

target speed 150 mph ~500 ft/min
DESCENT
APPROACH

Initial Approach

No later than 10 NM before entering the downwind leg

target speed 125 mph

Downwind Leg

1,000 ft AGL target speed 100 mph

Base Turn

target speed 95 mph

Final

target speed 90 mph

Go Around

Optional procedure

target speed 90 mph
AFTER LANDING
SHUTDOWN
EMERGENCY: POWER LOSS IN FLIGHT
EMERGENCY: POWER OFF APPROACH
EMERGENCY: POWER OFF LANDING
EMERGENCY: ENGINE FIRE
EMERGENCY: ELECTRICAL FIRE
EMERGENCY: CARBURETOR ICING

Note: expect initial engine roughness due to ice ingestion when using carburetor heat.

EMERGENCY: ENGINE ROUGHNESS

If roughness continues after 1 minute:

EMERGENCY: HIGH OIL / CHT TEMPERATURE
EMERGENCY: LOSS OF FUEL PRESSURE

CAUTION: if normal engine operation and fuel flow is not immediately re‑established, TURN THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP OFF (lack of fuel flow indication could indicate a leak or exhaustion).

EMERGENCY: LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE

Be aware running an engine with no oil pressure increases fire risk.

EMERGENCY: PROPELLER OVERSPEED

Note: REMAIN BELOW 2575 RPM — Land as soon as possible.

EMERGENCY: ALTERNATOR FAILURE

If no output, minimise electrical load and land as soon as practical planning for emergency gear extension procedure.

EMERGENCY: SPIN RECOVERY
EMERGENCY: EMERG. LANDING GEAR EXTENSION

Power setting table

✈ Target manifold-pressure calculator

Target manifold pressure:
--.- inHg

POWER SETTING TABLE

NORMALLY ASPIRATED LYCOMING O-540-A ENGINE, 250 HP

ALTITUDE & TEMP. STD 138 HP - 55% RATED
1. APPROX 10.3 GPH
2. APPROX 12.0 GPH
163 HP - 65% RATED
1. APPROX 12.3 GPH
2. APPROX 14.0 GPH
188 HP - 75% RATED
1. APPROX 14.0 GPH
2. APPROX 16.0 GPH
RPM AND MANIFOLD PRESSURE RPM AND MANIFOLD PRESSURE RPM AND MANIFOLD PRESSURE
ALTITUDE ALT F. C. 2100 2200 2300 2400 2100 2200 2300 2400 2100 2200 2300 2400
SEA LEVSL 59 15 21.6 20.8 20.2 19.6 24.2 23.3 22.6 22.0 25.8 25.1 24.3
1,000 55 13 21.4 20.6 20.0 19.3 23.9 23.0 22.4 21.8 25.5 24.8 24.1
2,000 52 11 21.1 20.4 19.7 19.1 23.7 22.8 22.2 21.5 25.3 24.6 23.8
3,000 48 09 20.9 20.1 19.5 18.9 23.4 22.5 21.9 21.3 25.0 24.3 23.6
4,000 45 07 20.6 19.9 19.3 18.7 23.1 22.3 21.7 21.0 24.8 24.1 23.3
5,000 41 05 20.4 19.7 19.1 18.5 22.9 22.0 21.4 20.8 23.8 23.0
6,000 38 03 20.1 19.5 18.9 18.3 22.6 21.8 21.2 20.6 22.8
7,000 34 01 19.9 19.2 18.6 18.0 22.3 21.5 21.0 20.4
8,000 31 -01 19.6 19.0 18.4 17.8 21.3 20.7 20.1
9,000 27 -03 19.4 18.8 18.2 17.6 20.5 19.9
10,000 23 -05 19.1 18.6 18.0 17.4 19.6
11,000 19 -07 18.9 18.3 17.8 17.2
12,000 16 -09 18.6 18.1 17.5 17.0
13,000 12 -11 17.9 17.3 16.8
14,000 09 -13 17.1 16.5
15,000 05 -15 16.3

💡 Mixture management & atmospheric corrections (Lycoming O-540-A)

  • ROP vs LOP mixture: In Best Power (ROP), set the mixture 100–150°F rich of peak EGT for maximum speed. In Best Economy (LOP / Peak EGT), lean to peak EGT or slightly lean of peak (A2A Accu-Sim simulates the associated reduction of approximately 1.1 to 1.5 GPH).
  • Non-standard temperature correction: For every 10°F above the standard temperature shown in the STD AIR TEMP column, add 0.17 inHg of manifold pressure to maintain the target power percentage. Conversely, subtract 0.17 inHg for every 10°F below standard.
  • Economy setting at 2100 RPM: This low setting significantly reduces cabin noise and engine wear. At 2100 RPM, the normally aspirated engine cannot reach 75% cruise power and becomes limited above 7,000 ft at 65% power.

Aircraft data

Takeoff, climb and cruise

Rotation speeds by weight

2,000 2,200 2,400 2,600 2,800 3,000¹
Vr normal takeoff flaps 0° 70 74 78 82 85 88
Vr short field flaps 18° 65 68 70 72 75 78

Climb speeds by weight

2,000 2,200 2,400 2,600 2,800 3,000
Vx best angle 76 78 80 82 84 86
Vy best rate 97 99 101 103 105 107

Speeds in mph, weights in lbs. Indicative operational values for the A2A simulation. IAS, sea level, standard conditions. Adjust speed for wind, density altitude and aircraft behaviour. ¹ The 3,000 lbs weight is approved only with tip tanks.

Vcc 110mph
Normal Climb Out

Cruise quick reference

Recommended setting 75 % — 7,000 ft — 2,400 RPM — 22.6 inHg
Performance 181 mph — about 14 gal/h
Range 4.3 h / 740 mi — 6.4 h / 1,100 mi with tip tanks

Approach, landing and glide

Glide

Vbg 105mph
Best Glide — Range
Vbg 95mph
Best Glide — Endurance

Stall

Vs 71mph
Stall, normal configuration
Vs0 64mph
Stall, landing configuration

Approach speeds

Vapp 95mph
Final Approach, Flaps Up
Vapp 90mph
Final Landing Approach, Flaps 27°

Flaps and gear

Vfe 100mph
Recommended Flap Extension Speed
Vlo 125mph
Recommended Maximum Landing Gear Operation Speed

Speed limits

Vfe 125mph
Max Flaps Extended
Vlo 125mph
Max Landing Gear Operation
Vle 150mph
Max Landing Gear Extended Speed
Va 120mph
Design Maneuvering @ 1,900 lbs
Va 144mph
Design Maneuvering @ 2,800 lbs
Vno 180mph
Max Structural Cruising
Vne 203mph
Never Exceed
Vne 229mph
Never Exceed (with stabilator tips)

Va decreases as weight decreases: a linear interpolation may be used between 1,900 and 2,800 lbs.

Airspeed indicator markings

White Arc 64 to 125 mph
Flap Down
Green Arc 71 to 180 mph
Normal Operating Range
Yellow Arc 180 to 227 mph
Caution Range – Smooth Air Only
Red Radial Line 203 mph, or 229 mph with stabilator tips
Never Exceed

Engine limits and references

Maximum RPM 2575 RPM
Fuel Grade (AVGAS ONLY) 90/96 (blue)
Fuel Pressure (min – max) 0.5 – 5 PSI
Vacuum Limits 4.8 – 5.1 inHg

Cylinder head temperature (CHT)

JPI programmed normal operating limit 380 °F
Prolonged operation not recommended 400 °F
Red line, absolute limit 500 °F

Oil

Maximum Oil Temperature 245 °F
Oil Pressure (min – max) 25 – 100 PSI
Oil capacity 12 quarts
Recommended maximum level 9 quarts
20W-50 All-weather, best in cold weather
25W-60 All-weather, best in hot weather
100AW Straight weight, consistently hot conditions only

Weights and capacities

Maximum Takeoff Weight 2,800 lbs — 3,000 lbs with tip tanks
Empty Weight 1,708 lbs — 1,732 lbs with tip tanks
Maximum Useful Load 1,092 lbs — 1,268 lbs with tip tanks
Maximum Baggage 200 lbs
Standard fuel 60 gal, 56 gal usable
Fuel with tip tanks 90 gal, 86 gal usable
Fuel Density 6 lbs per gallon

Weights read in the simulator: they increase with every option installed. The standard airplane of the A2A manual has an empty weight of 1,690 lbs.

Engine and propeller

Engine Lycoming O-540-A
Configuration Six cylinders, horizontally opposed
Cooling Air cooled
Drive Direct drive
Displacement 541.5 in³ — 8.9 L
Compression ratio 8.5:1
Maximum power 250 HP at 2,575 RPM
Propeller Three-blade, constant speed

Airframe and structure

Type Single-engine low-wing monoplane
Construction All-metal, mainly aluminium
Landing gear Electrically retractable tricycle
Seats 4
Wingspan 36 ft — 10.97 m
Length 24 ft 10 in — 7.57 m
Height 7 ft 5 in — 2.26 m
Wing area 178 ft² — 16.5 m²
Wing airfoil NACA-642A215 laminar flow
Tail Full-flying stabilator, anti-servo trim
Baggage compartment 20 ft³, 20 × 20 in door, 200 lbs maximum
Minimum turning radius 28.5 ft, from pivot point to wing tip
Propeller ground clearance About 11 in
Nosewheel steering 40°

Flaps

Control Mechanical
Flaps up
Flaps 1
Flaps 2 18°
Flaps full 27°

Electrical system

Circuit 12 V direct current
Generation Alternator
Battery 12 V — 33 ampere hour

Airframe dimensions come from the PA-24-250 specifications, not from the text of the A2A manuals.

Aircraft operation

Max Demonstrated Crosswind 17 kt
Gear warning horn Sounds below about 12 inHg manifold pressure if the gear is not down
Approved types of operation:
Day V.F.R.Night V.F.R.Day I.F.R.Night I.F.R.
Icing conditions: not approved

Accessories and options

Tip tanks Add 2 × 15 gal, 90 gal in total, and raise the maximum weight to 3,000 lbs
Stabilator tips Increase the allowable top speed from 203 to 229 mph
Wing gap seals Cover the gaps under the wing: a little more speed and lift at slow speeds
Wing root fairings Clean up the wing to fuselage joint: less drag and slightly more lift
Slipper fairing Increases the airflow through the engine: cooler running and less airframe drag
Gear lobe fairings The largest drag reduction of all the modifications
Soundproofing Fire resistant lightweight material, lowering cabin noise in flight
MT propeller Composite with a wood core, 74 in: absorbs about half of the engine vibration
McCauley propeller Metal, 77 in: flatter pitch and slightly higher static RPM on the ground