27/09...In your dreams.
The Comanche 180 has less-than-stellar speed performance but long legs for its class. Burning 8 to 10 GPH, it will cruise at about 140 knots. An American General Tiger with fixed gear goes just as fast and another contemporary retractable, the Mooney M20C or M20E will outrun the 180. The 180 can climb at 700 to 900 FPM after using more than 2200 feet to clear a 50-foot obstacle. The 250 and 260 are better performers. Speeds are up around 155 to 160 knots at cruise, burning about 12 GPH, Still, these speeds trail contemporary designs of similar vintage and power, such as the Bonanza S-series.
As you would expect from aerodynamics 101, the extra 10 GPH the Comanche 400 burns yields only about 10 to 15 extra knots. The 400 will, however, climb like nobody’s business: 1600 FPM. Not many singles can match it.
And then 400nm later you will be landing for fuel in the 400 Comanche. And the 260C with full fuel, including tips, carries two skinny pilots and a brief case...all be it for close to 9hrs...put tip tanks on my Bo and it will carry 4 100kg bums and 100kg of bags for 7+hrs at 166kts...and a damn site more comfortably than any Piper.
