Development milestones
First flight: May 24, 1956
Piper's Comanche first flew in 1956 with an all-metal low-wing airframe, enclosed cabin and retractable tricycle gear. Later versions changed engine power and seating, alongside the separate Twin Comanche line.
Production ended after the 1972 flood at Piper's Lock Haven plant. A2A models a particular Comanche with persistent engine and airframe condition; its manual describes the loading, maintenance and mechanical systems included in the simulation.
Piper PA-24 Comanche · Specifications (PA-24-260C) · real aircraft; source units retained
Meer over dit vliegtuig op AirframeDB
First flight: May 24, 1956
The Comanche 250’s pitch control uses a stabilator: the horizontal tail moves as a unit instead of carrying a separate hinged elevator. Its anti-servo tab also provides longitudinal trim. A2A’s aircraft description pairs that arrangement with manually operated flaps and conventional yoke-and-pedal controls. This combination gives the cockpit several distinct mechanical controls, even before the separate engine and propeller levers are considered.
An electric motor and reduction mechanism beneath the floor move the three landing-gear units through push-pull cables. The nosewheel steering disconnects as the gear retracts, reducing the steering mechanism’s contribution to airborne rudder-pedal loads. The manual also describes a ground anti-retraction switch and separate indications for gear position. The selector operates the documented electrical and mechanical landing-gear system.
The list supplies trim-required lights and AP controls, and identifies the elevator trim handle with a standard SimVar requested in percent.
Unwin flew Mark Bonsall's refurbished 1963 Comanche 250 from Netherthorpe with instructor Nick Riddin. This particular aircraft had fuel injection and a three-blade propeller, so it was not an untouched factory example. With two aboard and partial fuel, it accelerated briskly from the grass strip. Unwin liked the harmonisation of the primary controls and their low initial resistance, although he found the older instrument and engine-control layout less intuitive than a modern cockpit. In airwork, his stalls gave clear warning and little inclination to drop a wing.
The landing and photo flights exposed different demands. He could feel the aircraft entering ground effect and thought excess approach speed would produce a long float; careful speed control rewarded him with successive satisfactory landings. Flying close formation for the photographer required more work, partly because the view from his chosen seat was restrictive. His overall appreciation was for a capable touring aircraft, with handling observations tied to the loading and modifications of the example he actually flew.
Wall's attachment to the Comanche began with a flying-club comparison in 1958. Interviewed by Bill Cox, he recalled flying a loaded Comanche 250 and a contemporary Bonanza between Burbank and Phoenix. He considered the Comanche the stronger performer in that particular comparison, while acknowledging the appeal of the Beechcraft's handling. Decades later, after a professional flying career, that experience helped draw him back to a 1958 Comanche of his own.
By the 2005 article, Wall had accumulated more than a thousand hours in the type and restored his aircraft extensively. He distinguished brochure claims from his experience: the advertised climb figure seemed optimistic to him, while maximum cruise was closer to what he observed. His usual choice was an economical high-altitude cruise rather than maximum speed. As an owner and mechanic, he also valued access for maintenance and familiarity with the systems he had rebuilt. These are the preferences and reported results of one experienced owner, rather than a controlled comparison of all Comanches and Bonanzas.
Looking back on his test-flying years, Kershner remembered the Comanche 400 as one of the aircraft that stood out. He identified the two final test aircraft and explained Pug Piper's interest in obtaining high-altitude performance without turbocharging. The extra power gave him an impression reminiscent of a fighter, but he also recalled substantial fuel consumption and troublesome hot starts during the flight-test period. His account concerns the eight-cylinder 400, a different proposition from the familiar 180 and 250.
One flight supplied the story's human detail. Over Lock Haven, he overtook a conventional Comanche and made further passes that prompted its pilot to ask what version he was flying. Kershner gave an evasive answer over the radio, then returned to a reprimand for drawing attention to an aircraft Piper had not yet announced. He also remembered watching the fuel indication move towards empty.
In the manual's developer notes, Gentile explains why A2A chose his own Comanche 250, N6229P, for its new Accu-Sim system. He had owned and operated the aeroplane for more than a decade. That familiarity gave the team continuing access to an aircraft they could examine and fly while investigating questions raised during development. His account describes the connection between an owner's long experience and the choice of a simulation subject.
Gentile's affection is equally explicit. He values the Comanche's combination of speed, load-carrying ability, cabin room and manageable handling, and says the aircraft has become part of the family. The appeal began with its appearance and deepened over years of operation. This is an enthusiastic owner's introduction, written by the developer selling the simulation, rather than an independent comparison flight.
Piper's Comanche first flew in 1956 with an all-metal low-wing airframe, enclosed cabin and retractable tricycle gear. Later versions changed engine power and seating, alongside the separate Twin Comanche line.
This profile selects A2A Comanche 250 for MSFS 2020, MSFS 2024.
The stabilator/anti-servo arrangement motivates reversible yoke loading. Spring resistance builds with the selected airspeed response. A separate aerodynamic term adds speed-dependent control load.
The anti-servo tab supplies pitch relief; ALT-mode trim lamps request manual action. Valid trim provides the configured pressure relief. Autopilot following is enabled for supported control references.
The Comanche’s manually controlled stabilator uses an anti-servo tab for longitudinal trim. A2A’s S-TEC30 altitude hold has an elevator servo and lamps requesting pilot trim, without automatic pitch trim. Native 2024 GPSS supplies lateral steering as a separate addition.
A2A’s native 2024 Comanche removes the earlier Elevator Force tablet input option and adds ST901 GPSS lateral guidance; S-TEC30 ALT still requests manual trimming.
The gains are normalized profile settings. They describe the chosen effect balance; hand force depends on the device and its output limits. IAS references are tuning values rather than operating limits. Physical acceptance of this revision remains pending.
De uiteindelijke totaalschaal over alles wat het model produceert, vóór de apparaatbegrenzing.
Meer: alles (veer, belastingen, effecten) wordt samen sterker.
Minder: alles wordt samen zachter.
Waarom hier: Scales overall profile strength while preserving effect balance, subject to device and output limits.
De basiscentreerkracht die de stick terug naar het midden trekt. Elke andere kracht stapelt hierop. Te laag en de stick voelt slap in normale vlucht; te hoog en hij vecht tegen je hand en maskeert de kleinere signalen erbovenop.
Meer: een steviger centreren dat de hand meer weerstaat.
Minder: een slappere stick die alleen op aerodynamische belasting leunt.
Waarom hier: The stabilator/anti-servo arrangement motivates reversible yoke loading. The baseline spring is 0.74. Its low-speed blend reaches baseline strength at 75 KIAS.
Comanche Pilot ManualComanche variables listExact product and documentation researchNative ComancheEen kleine neutrale zone rond het midden waar de veer stil blijft, zodat minieme bewegingen in rust niet ratelen. Breder is rustiger maar losser; smaller is preciezer maar kan rond het midden trillen.
Meer: een rustiger maar losser midden, met meer speling.
Minder: een strakker midden dat in rust kan trillen.
Waarom hier: Sets travel around the centre before the baseline spring resists. Smaller values engage it sooner.
Een masterschaal over beide aangehouden asbelastingen, toegepast vóór hun onafhankelijke balans. Profielen laten dit normaal met rust en stemmen de twee asbelastingen af.
Meer: beide assen laden zwaarder.
Minder: beide assen worden samen lichter.
Waarom hier: The aerodynamic-load gain is 0.8 with an indicated-speed reference of 150 KIAS. This supplies speed-dependent loading alongside the spring.
Schakelt het lage-snelheidsvenster van de veeraangrijping in (start/vol-knopen hierboven). Uit betekent een constante veer op alle snelheden.
Waarom hier: Allows baseline spring strength to rise with indicated airspeed where the control law permits it.
Hoeveel van de veer overleeft bij stilstand, voordat luchtsnelheid aerodynamische kracht kan opbouwen. Een hoge vloer houdt de geparkeerde stick stevig; een lage geeft het losse, kabelslappe gevoel van een geparkeerd licht vliegtuig.
Meer: een stevigere stick geparkeerd en tijdens taxiën.
Minder: een slappe stick geparkeerd die pas met snelheid ontwaakt.
Waarom hier: Sets low-speed spring strength as a fraction of baseline when blending is enabled. One keeps full strength.
De snelheid waarbij de veer vanaf zijn lage-snelheidsvloer richting volle sterkte begint te klimmen: de besturing die 'tot leven komt' tijdens de startrol.
Waarom hier: Sets the IAS where the low-speed spring blend starts rising. This is a feel threshold, not a flight limit.
De snelheid waarbij de veer volle sterkte bereikt. Tussen het begin en dit punt wordt het centreren geleidelijk steviger naarmate de luchtstroom over de roeren groeit.
Waarom hier: Sets the IAS where the low-speed blend reaches baseline strength; high-speed stiffening also uses it.
De aangewezen snelheid waarbij de aerodynamische belasting haar ontworpen volle niveau bereikt. Hij verankert de hele belastingscurve aan het echte snelheidsbereik van het vliegtuig: een 172 laadt op tegen 110 knopen, een jet veel later.
Meer: belastingen komen later; de stick blijft langer licht.
Minder: belastingen komen eerder en de kruisvlucht weegt zwaarder.
Waarom hier: Sets the IAS reference for aerodynamic loading. It is an estimate, not published cruise TAS or a flight limit.
Hoeveel het centreren zelf met snelheid verstijft, bovenop de uitslagbelastingen. Nul houdt het middengevoel constant; meer laat de stick harder centreren op kruissnelheid en losser in het circuit.
Meer: een midden dat duidelijk verhardt met snelheid.
Minder: een constant middengevoel op elke snelheid.
Waarom hier: The high-speed spring-stiffening gain is 0.15. It strengthens the permitted spring response above 75 KIAS, with the squared-speed ratio capped at 5.
De bovengrens van snelheidsgedreven centreerverstijving, zodat zeer snelle vlucht de veer niet onbegrensd kan opwinden.
Meer: meer totale verstijving toegestaan op hoge snelheid.
Minder: de verstijving stopt eerder.
Waarom hier: Limits the squared airspeed ratio used for high-speed spring stiffening; it is not a device-force cap.
De aangehouden rolbelasting uit rolroeruitslag en snelheid, onafhankelijk van pitch gebalanceerd. Samen met de hoogteroerbelasting bepaalt dit de stuurharmonie waar recensenten het over hebben.
Meer: zwaardere rolkrachten.
Minder: lichtere, levendigere rolroeren.
Waarom hier: Roll and pitch aerodynamic scales are 0.72 and 1, respectively. They set the aerodynamic axis balance. No custom spring-travel curve is enabled.
De aangehouden pitchbelasting uit hoogteroeruitslag en snelheid, onafhankelijk van rol gebalanceerd. Dit is de hoofdhendel achter het pitchgewicht van een type. Hij raakt rolroer-, veer-, trim- of buffetkrachten niet.
Meer: zwaardere aangehouden pitchkrachten op snelheid.
Minder: een lichter hoogteroer, minder spierkracht om vast te houden.
Waarom hier: Scales pitch aerodynamic loading; pitch spring travel and trim responses are separate settings.
Een plafond op elke gestage pitch- of rolkracht voordat die het apparaat bereikt, ter bescherming tegen beuken of verzadigen van de hardware bij stevige manoeuvres.
Meer: hogere gestage krachtpieken vóór afkapping.
Minder: een zachter plafond; harde manoeuvres vlakken eerder af.
Waarom hier: Caps directed-force output. Native spring effects and device limits remain separate.
Hoe sterk hoogteroertrim de vastgehouden pitchkracht verlicht en verschuift waar de stick tot rust komt. Op 100 % heeft een goed getrimd vliegtuig geen vastgehouden druk nodig, de trim-de-last-weg-werkwijze van echt vliegen.
Meer: trim neemt meer vastgehouden kracht weg; op 100 % heft volle trim hem op.
Minder: je blijft kracht houden, zelfs getrimd.
Waarom hier: The anti-servo tab supplies pitch relief; ALT-mode trim lamps request manual action. Pitch authority 0.3 provides load relief and permitted centre movement; roll authority is 0.
Comanche Pilot ManualComanche variables listExact product and documentation researchNative ComancheDezelfde verlichting voor roltrim. De meeste GA-types hebben geen echte rolroertrim, dus dit blijft op nul; types met roltrim krijgen een passende waarde.
Meer: roltrim neemt meer vastgehouden kracht weg.
Minder: roltrim doet minder.
Waarom hier: Scales supported roll-trim relief and permitted centre movement. Zero removes roll response.
Rollende oppervlaktetrilling uit wielsnelheid en ondergrondtype: asfalt, gras of grind onder het onderstel.
Meer: een sterkere oppervlaktetextuur in de stick.
Minder: gladder taxiën.
Waarom hier: Sets rolling texture strength, modified by speed, surface and undercarriage configuration.
Korte losse stoten van uitzetvoegen, sporen en ruw oppervlak, die het doorlopende gerommel accentueren.
Meer: scherpere stoten van voegen en sporen.
Minder: zachtere gronddetails.
Waarom hier: Sets gear-bump texture during ground motion, separate from touchdown impact.
Casco-schudden bij het naderen van de overtrek en terwijl de overtrekwaarschuwing actief is: hoe luid deze vleugel aankondigt dat hij ontevreden is. Types met een scherpe afbreek krijgen bescheiden buffet en laten de hoorn de waarschuwing dragen.
Meer: een sterker trillen vóór de overtrek.
Minder: een discretere vleugel; de hoorn draagt de waarschuwing.
Waarom hier: Sets stall-buffet strength. Zero removes the cue without changing simulator stalls or warnings.
Transsoon buffet bij het naderen van de Machlimiet. Betekenisvol voor jets nabij MMO, nul voor zuigers en turboprops die er nooit komen.
Meer: een sterker transsoon buffet nabij de Machlimiet.
Minder: gladder vliegen op hoge Mach.
Waarom hier: Sets high-Mach buffet strength; onset and full-strength thresholds are separate.
Laagfrequente casco-trilling met kleppen uitgeslagen in de luchtstroom, in het snelheidsvenster waar ze de lucht echt bewerken.
Meer: ruwer vliegen met werkende kleppen.
Minder: zachtere naderingskleppen.
Waarom hier: Sets flap buffet at the configured position and speed gates. Flap movement texture is separate.
Casco-getrommel van intrekbaar onderstel dat in de luchtstroom hangt. Nul voor types met vast onderstel, waar het casco nooit van vorm verandert.
Meer: meer getrommel met het onderstel uit.
Minder: schoner vliegen met onderstel uit.
Waarom hier: Sets gear aerodynamic buffet; movement and ground-contact cues are separate.
De speciale stall-stickshakerzoem, geactiveerd door het eigen overtrekwaarschuwingssysteem van het vliegtuig. Alleen types met een echte shaker krijgen een waarde; de rest steunt op aerodynamisch buffet en de hoorn.
Meer: een hardere shaker.
Minder: een discretere shaker.
Waarom hier: Sets triggered shaker strength; inactive while the shaker feature is disabled.
De eenmalige dreun als de wielen de baan raken, geschaald op daalsnelheid: een zachte landing fluistert, een stevige aankomst bonkt.
Meer: een hardere dreun bij de landing.
Minder: zachtere aankomsten.
Waarom hier: Sets landing-impact strength; landing telemetry and response shape determine the pulse.
Uitroltrilling terwijl reverse thrust of props in beta werken. Nul voor types zonder reverse.
Meer: ruwer uitrollen onder reverse.
Minder: een discretere reverse.
Waarom hier: Sets reverse-thrust vibration with valid reverser and engine conditions. Zero removes the cue.
Doorlopende motortrilling die het toerental volgt tussen stationair en vol vermogen, de altijd aanwezige herinnering dat er voorin iets brandstof verbrandt.
Meer: meer motor in de stick.
Minder: een discretere motor.
Waarom hier: Sets estimated engine vibration using configured telemetry and response, not measured cockpit vibration.
Doorlopende trilling alleen terwijl de sim meldt dat de klepvlakken daadwerkelijk bewegen. Volgt echte actuatorbeweging en storingen, geen geschatte timer.
Meer: meer trilling met bewegende kleppen.
Minder: discretere klepbewegingen.
Waarom hier: Sets texture from observed flap movement; a command without movement does not establish the cue.
Hoe ver autopilootcommando's de stick fysiek mogen bewegen. Piepklein gehouden in MSFS, waar een bewogen as kan worden teruggelezen als pilooteninvoer; nul schakelt volgen volledig uit.
Meer: de autopiloot beweegt je stick zichtbaar meer.
Minder: een nauwelijks merkbaar volgen.
Waarom hier: Sets admitted AP-follow gain, not a percentage of travel. Runtime ownership and input limits still apply.
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Waarom hier: Retained for compatibility and group membership. Trim relief, rather than this flag, controls centre movement.
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Waarom hier: Allows trim relief with supported control law and valid telemetry. Axis authorities set its amount.
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Waarom hier: Enables local force trim, separate from aircraft-owned trim and add-on integration qualification.
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Waarom hier: Allows load-factor changes to modify permitted spring laws. Passive fly-by-wire feel can suppress it.
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Waarom hier: Enables rate damping with the configured coefficients and control law.
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Waarom hier: Following is on at 1 authority when a supported, valid autopilot control reference is available.
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Waarom hier: Permits centering hold during a supported AP state, separate from following a moving target.
Waarom hier: Sets admitted AP neutral-hold strength; inactive while neutral hold is disabled.
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Waarom hier: Enables aerodynamic cues; each still needs nonzero strength and its simulator conditions.
Where this effect reaches full strength (or has fully faded, for washouts).
Meer: a more gradual build to a later peak.
Minder: a quicker build.
Waarom hier: Sets the final flap index for detent normalization. UP plus three detents uses maximum index3.
Where this effect begins fading in.
Meer: the effect begins later.
Minder: it begins earlier.
Waarom hier: Sets the first flap detent that admits buffet; this is a handle index, not degrees.
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Waarom hier: Permits shaker at supported warning conditions; the switch does not establish aircraft equipment.
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Waarom hier: Enables ground effects; each still needs its own strength and contact or motion telemetry.
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Waarom hier: Enables engine cues with nonzero settings and valid running-engine telemetry.
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Waarom hier: Enables accessory cues with configured strengths and observed accessory movement.
The strength of this effect.
Meer: a stronger effect.
Minder: a weaker one.
Waarom hier: Sets texture from observed gear movement, separate from aerodynamic and touchdown effects.
| Parameter | Waarde | Wat het regelt en waarom |
|---|---|---|
| Spring strength | 0.74 | The stabilator/anti-servo arrangement motivates reversible yoke loading. The baseline spring is 0.74. Its low-speed blend reaches baseline strength at 75 KIAS. |
| Spring deadband | 0.045 | Sets travel around the centre before the baseline spring resists. Smaller values engage it sooner. |
| Force gain | 0.8 | The aerodynamic-load gain is 0.8 with an indicated-speed reference of 150 KIAS. This supplies speed-dependent loading alongside the spring. |
| Master gain | 0.85 | Scales overall profile strength while preserving effect balance, subject to device and output limits. |
| Dynamic-pressure blend | True | Allows baseline spring strength to rise with indicated airspeed where the control law permits it. |
| Minimum spring factor | 0.5 | Sets low-speed spring strength as a fraction of baseline when blending is enabled. One keeps full strength. |
| Spring wake-up speed | 20 kt | Sets the IAS where the low-speed spring blend starts rising. This is a feel threshold, not a flight limit. |
| Spring full-strength speed | 75.0 kt | Sets the IAS where the low-speed blend reaches baseline strength; high-speed stiffening also uses it. |
| Snelheid voor krachtafstemming | 150.0 kt | Sets the IAS reference for aerodynamic loading. It is an estimate, not published cruise TAS or a flight limit. |
| Airspeed spring stiffening | 0.15 | The high-speed spring-stiffening gain is 0.15. It strengthens the permitted spring response above 75 KIAS, with the squared-speed ratio capped at 5. |
| Airspeed stiffening cap | 5 | Limits the squared airspeed ratio used for high-speed spring stiffening; it is not a device-force cap. |
| Aileron force scale | 0.72 | Roll and pitch aerodynamic scales are 0.72 and 1, respectively. They set the aerodynamic axis balance. No custom spring-travel curve is enabled. |
| Elevator force scale | 1.0 | Scales pitch aerodynamic loading; pitch spring travel and trim responses are separate settings. |
| Maximum output force | 0.55 | Caps directed-force output. Native spring effects and device limits remain separate. |
| StickFeel · Trim feel enabled | True | Retained for compatibility and group membership. Trim relief, rather than this flag, controls centre movement. |
| StickFeel · Trim relief enabled | True | Allows trim relief with supported control law and valid telemetry. Axis authorities set its amount. |
| StickFeel · Elevator authority | 0.3 | The anti-servo tab supplies pitch relief; ALT-mode trim lamps request manual action. Pitch authority 0.3 provides load relief and permitted centre movement; roll authority is 0. |
| StickFeel · Aileron authority | 0 | Scales supported roll-trim relief and permitted centre movement. Zero removes roll response. |
| StickFeel · Force trim enabled | False | Enables local force trim, separate from aircraft-owned trim and add-on integration qualification. |
| StickFeel · G load enabled | True | Allows load-factor changes to modify permitted spring laws. Passive fly-by-wire feel can suppress it. |
| StickFeel · Rate damping enabled | True | Enables rate damping with the configured coefficients and control law. |
| Autopilot · Follow enabled | True | Following is on at 1 authority when a supported, valid autopilot control reference is available. |
| Autopilot · Follow authority | 1.0 | Sets admitted AP-follow gain, not a percentage of travel. Runtime ownership and input limits still apply. |
| Autopilot · Neutral hold enabled | False | Permits centering hold during a supported AP state, separate from following a moving target. |
| Autopilot · Neutral hold strength | 0.6 | Sets admitted AP neutral-hold strength; inactive while neutral hold is disabled. |
| Aero · Enabled | True | Enables aerodynamic cues; each still needs nonzero strength and its simulator conditions. |
| Aero · Gain | 0.35 | Sets stall-buffet strength. Zero removes the cue without changing simulator stalls or warnings. |
| Aero · Gain | 0 | Sets high-Mach buffet strength; onset and full-strength thresholds are separate. |
| Aero · Gain | 0.14 | Sets flap buffet at the configured position and speed gates. Flap movement texture is separate. |
| Aero · Max flap index | 3 | Sets the final flap index for detent normalization. UP plus three detents uses maximum index3. |
| Aero · Min flap index | 2 | Sets the first flap detent that admits buffet; this is a handle index, not degrees. |
| Aero · Gain | 0.1 | Sets gear aerodynamic buffet; movement and ground-contact cues are separate. |
| Aero · Shaker enabled | False | Permits shaker at supported warning conditions; the switch does not establish aircraft equipment. |
| Aero · Amplitude | 0.5 | Sets triggered shaker strength; inactive while the shaker feature is disabled. |
| Ground · Enabled | True | Enables ground effects; each still needs its own strength and contact or motion telemetry. |
| Ground · Gain | 0.4 | Sets rolling texture strength, modified by speed, surface and undercarriage configuration. |
| Ground · Gain | 0.25 | Sets gear-bump texture during ground motion, separate from touchdown impact. |
| Ground · Gain | 0.65 | Sets landing-impact strength; landing telemetry and response shape determine the pulse. |
| Ground · Gain | 0 | Sets reverse-thrust vibration with valid reverser and engine conditions. Zero removes the cue. |
| Engine · Enabled | True | Enables engine cues with nonzero settings and valid running-engine telemetry. |
| Engine · Gain | 0.12 | Sets estimated engine vibration using configured telemetry and response, not measured cockpit vibration. |
| Mechanical · Enabled | True | Enables accessory cues with configured strengths and observed accessory movement. |
| Mechanical · Gain | 0.12 | Sets texture from observed flap movement; a command without movement does not establish the cue. |
| Mechanical · Gain | 0.12 | Sets texture from observed gear movement, separate from aerodynamic and touchdown effects. |
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