WaterWings Seaplanes
We have owned this 1965 PA23 Piper Aztec since January 2021. It is full of potential and utility for WaterWings. It burns around 14 gallons an hour (per side) at around 160kts. We are perfectly comfortable in night and IFR conditions having two engines to quell the concerns about losing an engine. We have all heard of twin engine planes losing an engine only to have the other engine take its passengers to the scene of the crash. This is why we train and train and train.
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This particular Twin Comanche was the first "B" model. It was featured in the advertising of the day and was used in figuring out the performance data for the "B" model. It was the only "B" model produced in 1965. 1966 was the first real production year for PA30B.
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Over its history it was converted to counter rotating engines. Twin Comanches had a very bad accident rate in the training community in the 60s. The FAA even ran an investigation into it's airworthiness. The real fix was to NOT pull an engine just after take off when the plane is low and slow as was the norm in multi-engine training during the day. In the mean time the Vmc speed was raised from 80 to 90mph. This speed was reduced back to 80 by removing the critical engine by replacing the right engine with one that rotates counter clockwise. This is sometimes refered to as counter rotating propellers. It makes for a very nice flying airplane without the right rudder usually required during climb.
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