Australasian Comanche Society – Downunder Flyer- July 2025
EGM 29th June
By now most of you would have been informed of the outcomes of our June EGM called to discuss our ongoing relationship with the CS International organisation. In summary, and as indicated in your recent membership renewal notice, we are offering an option for our Australasian Members to retain their membership of our local society for an annual fee of $100 but also to facilitate membership of the International organisation if desired for an additional $219 (being the unsubsidised cost of the US membership with a small international handling fee).
The result of the new membership option effectively means that our membership dues will be available to pursue local initiatives rather than fund US activities.
Our club will fund 2 memberships to the International organisation to enable us to retain our “Tribe’ status and its attendant seat on the Board so as to represent those local members who pay the international membership.
Maryborough PPP
This was the 28th PPP we have held and the second in Maryborough. We had 20 people attend and I believe most enjoyed 2 days of Comanche learning and camaraderie.
Our thanks go out to Tony Smith, Ken Holdsworth, Jim Mullett and Lawrence Paratz for their presentations and organisation.
In the wind up of the PPP we had a discussion on future Fly-ins with a commitment to look into Rylstone as a venue for Autumn 2026. We also undertook to investigate a fly-in to NZ in 2026 to possibly coincide with the Wanaka Airshow.
Information on these 2 events will be communicated as we get details to hand.
The Comanche Quiz
Test your knowledge of Comanche trivia and technical knowledge with this multiple choice quiz (answers at the end of the newsletter):
- When the did the Comanche first fly ?
- May 1956
- September 1957
- Jan 1958
- What was the completion date of the last PA24 ?
- 30 Dec 1971
- 7 Jan 1972
- 30 Jun 1972
- 1 Nov 1972
- What was the US dollar sale price of the first production PA24 ?
- $12,750
- $14,500
- $20,600
- $25,000
- What design standard are our Comanches certified to ?
- CAR 3
- CAR 5
- CAR 54
- FAR 23
- FAR 25
- What is the maximum altitude that a Comanche has ever been flown to ?
- 17500 feet
- 25070 feet
- 42560 feet
- 50000 feet
- What was the registration of Max Conrad’s record setting PA24 ?
- N110LF
- N2024P
- N5000P
- N7000Y
- What was Max Conrad’s longest non-stop flight time in a single Comanche ?
- 35.9 hours
- 42.4 hours
- 58.6 hours
- 62.1 hours
- What was the fuel capacity of the PA24 that Max Conrads used in his record flights ?
- 1100 litres (290 USG)
- 1950 litres (515 USG)
- 2722 litres (720 USG)
- A lycoming IO-320 engine has a displacement of approximately ?
- 3.2 litres
- 5.2 litres
- 9.2 litres
- The empty CofG of our Comanches is calculated assuming ?
- the wheels are up
- the wheels are down
- it doesn’t matter
- For a Comanche at a constant weight, which way should you move the CofG for maximum performance ?
- Forward
- Aft
- It doesn’t matter
- A Comanche is most stable ?
- At the forward CofG limit
- At the AFT CoG limit
- It doesn’t matter as long as you are within the envelope
- Which Comanche has the tighter ground turning radius ?
- PA24
- PA30/39
- They are the same
- What is the correct size and ply of a PA24 nose wheel tyre ?
- 6.00 x 6 4 ply
- 6.00 x 6 6 ply
- 6.00 x 6 8 ply
- The hydroplaning speed of the Comanche is determined by ?
- The Weight of the aircraft
- Tyre Pressure
- Tyre Size
- Number of tyre ply’s
- Amount of water on the runway
- How many M’s are there in Comanche ?
- One
- Two
- Three
- It depends upon who the pilot is
2025 Upcoming Events
The second half of 2025 will be a busy time for the club with a number of events scheduled. Here is a quick run-down of our spring schedule.
September 12 to 15 – Spring Fly-In Central Highlands QLD
Please keep space in your diary and join our hosts Jim Mullett (VH-JMQ) and Clint Veivers (VH-OYL and 2 Cherokee 6’s) for the 2025 Spring Fly-in to be held in Queensland’s Central Highlands from September 12 to 15.
The Programme
Friday Sept 12:
Land at Rolleston (YRLL) for lunch at the local pub owned by Ross Smith who has a lovely collection of vintage aircraft including a Lockheed 12.
After lunch we fly to Emerald (YEML) where our accommodation will be The Gateway Hotel and Apartments. Friday night dinner will be at the Maraboon Tavern – one block away.
Saturday Sept 13:
Breakfast down-town at Shamali’s then in our tour buses to the Coal Mining Museum at Blackwater for morning tea. After the museum we will go on a mine tour and with luck, should be able to see the drag lines in operation.
After a late lunch in Blackwater we will return to Emerald where the evening meal will be at the Outback Tavern and Steakhouse.
Sunday Sept 14:
Breakfast at the Gateway then fire up the Comanche for a very scenic flight over the Peak Downs Ranges and the draglines at Clermont and Blair Athol – some spectacular scenery.
After arriving back in Emerald, we head out via bus to the Gem Fields at Sapphire and Rubyvale. After lunch at the Royal Hotel at Rubyvale we will take mine tours at Miners Heritage and Bobby Dazzlers plus visit several other commercial gem outlets.
Back to Emerald for dinner at the Capricornia Restaurant.
Monday 15:
Breakfast at Shamali’s again and then head for home or places further north or west. Those who would like to extend the trip are welcome to hop across to Monduran and stay at Alister Mullett’s Wild Scotchman’s motel.
REGISTRATIONS CLOSE THURSDAY AUGUST 14
If you wish to attend:
- Reserve your accommodation direct with the Hotel(s)
At Emerald:
Western Gateway Motel and Apartments
12 Theresa St, Emerald, QLD 4720
Phone: 1300 032 759 e-Mail: reservations @westerngatewaymotel.com.au
Website: westerngatewaymotel.com.au
We are staying at the Apartments. Arriving Friday September 12, Departing Monday September 15. Reservation is in the name of “International Comanche Society/Jim Mullett”.
At Monduran (if attending afterward)
Wild Scotsman Motor Inn
5 Mulgrave St, Gin Gin, QLD 4671
Phone: (07) 4157 2522
Website: wildscotsman@bigpond.com
- E-mail either Jim Mullett (jimmullett@hotmail.com) or Ken Holdsworth (technical@comancheflyer.com.au) with your details:
Name
Number of Persons in your group
Arrival Date
Departure Date
Going to Monduran after the fly-in: YES/NO
Costs
You will pay directly for the Hotel, meals and attraction entrance fees. The cost of the buses will be split equally among the participants on the weekend.
October 25 – AGM: Narromine and via Zoom
The Annual General Meeting of the ICS Australasian Tribe will be held at Narromine Airport on Saturday October 25 commencing at 2PM. It will also be broadcast via a Zoom meeting. Agenda and other details will be distributed by the secretary prior to the meeting.
Accommodation is available from either the airport caravan park or alternatively the Peppercorn motel. (Both are comfortable walking distances from the airfield). Dinner will be available after the meeting through the Gliding Club / Aeroclub.
The Comanche Quiz – ANSWERS
- When the did the Comanche first fly ?
- The PA24 prototype first flew on 24 May 1956 . The flight of the first production PA24 was in September 1957 and the first PA24 delivery was in Jan 1958
- What was the completion date of the last PA24
- 7 Jan 1972 (a PA24-260C)
- What was the US dollar sale price of the first production PA24:?
- $12,750 USD
- What design standard are our Comanches certified to ?
- CAR 3
- What is the maximum altitude that a Comanche has ever been flown to ?
- 42560 feet. This world record was set by an experimental Comanche 400 fitted with an early version of the TPE331 turbo-prop with a 4-blade propeller. After testing the Turboprop was removed and the aircraft returned to normal 400 configuration and I believe the aircraft is still flying.
- What was the registration of Max Conrad’s record setting PA24 ?
- N110LF. N2024P is sn 24-1 the prototype PA24, N5000P is the first production PA24 and N7001Y the first production PA30.
- What was Max Conrad’s longest non-stop flight time in a single Comanche ?
- 58.6 hours (PA24-250 Casablanca to Los Angeles)
- What was the fuel capacity of the PA24 that Max Conrad used in his record flights ?
- 2722 litres (720 USG) – The port control column was removed to allow the fuel tank to almost reach the instrument panel and Max flew from the starboard seat)
- A lycoming IO-320 engine has a displacement of approximately ?
- 5.2 litres
- The empty CofG of our Comanches is calculated assuming ?
- the wheels are down. Refer to the Doug Killough manual weight and balance section for moment specific to your Comanche.
- For a Comanche at constant weight which way should you move the CofG for maximum performance ?
- Aft
- A Comanche is most stable ?
- At the forward CofG limit
- Which Comanche has the tighter ground turning radius ?
- They are the same. Both the main wheel spacing and distance from nose to main wheels is the same on both types
- What is the correct size and ply of a PA24 nose wheel tyre ?
- 6.00 x 6 4 ply. (as per the PA24 parts manual)
- The hydroplaning speed of the Comanche is determined by
- Tyre Pressure
- How many M’s are there in Comanche ?
- One
Best regards to all,
Nigel Wettenhall
Assistant tribe Chief