Piper PA-23-150/160 Apache vs Piper PA-30 Turbo Twin Comanche

Side-by-side specs, range, and operating costs.

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Dimensions & configuration

Representative planforms, drawn to shared scale.

Piper PA-23-150/160 Apache
37 ft × 28 ft ⭥ 10 ft
2× Piston Retractable Unpressurized
Piper PA-30 Turbo Twin Comanche
36 ft × 25 ft ⭥ 8 ft
2× Piston Retractable Unpressurized

Flight Profile

Service ceiling, range, and climb rate.

Tap legend to isolate

Arc represents the climb-cruise-descent profile based on published service ceiling and range. Climb rate annotated on ascent. FL180 (18,000 ft) shown for reference.

Mission Performance

Stall, approach, cruise, range, ceiling and climb: best values are at the top.

Mission performance specifications
Specification Piper PA-23-150/160 ApachePiper PA-30 Turbo Twin Comanche
Stall speed 65 kt69 kt
Approach speed 85 kt75 kt
Cruise speed 140 kt194 kt
Range 616 nm1100 nm
Service ceiling 17000 ft30000 ft
Rate of climb —1460 fpm
Fuel burn 16.0 gph17.2 gph

Each axis is scaled independently across the compared aircraft and printed in its own units; every vertex sits at the published figure. Higher is better on all axes: Stall, Approach and Fuel Burn are inverted (lower = higher). A missing figure breaks the line at that axis.

Fuel Burn & Range

Range, endurance, and what the fuel costs by the hour.

Piper PA-23-150/160 Apache Avgas
16.0 gph
Baseline
616 nm range 8.8 nm/gal 72 gal usable $104 fuel/hr 4h 30m endurance
Piper PA-23-150/160 Apache: 16.0 gph at cruise, 616 nautical mile published range, 4 hour 30 minute endurance, 8.8 nautical miles per gallon.
Piper PA-30 Turbo Twin Comanche Avgas
17.2 gph
Baseline
1,100 nm range 11.3 nm/gal 120 gal usable $112 fuel/hr 6h 58m endurance
Piper PA-30 Turbo Twin Comanche: 17.2 gph at cruise, 1,100 nautical mile published range, 6 hour 58 minute endurance, 11.3 nautical miles per gallon.
Avgas range each cell = 1 hr of cruise · width scales with speed

Bars show published still-air range: select a cell to view cruise-hours and fuel usage. Endurance is full tank at the displayed cruise burn rate; the extra is reserve and economy margin. Estimates only. Always verify against the POH.

Runway Performance

Density altitude adjusted estimates

Outside Air Temp
0°F57°F115°F
Field Elevation
SL4,0008,000 ft

Takeoff over 50 ft obstacle

Landing over 50 ft obstacle

Density Altitude

Monte cristo

Base distance DA penalty
Scale: 6,000 ft

FAA 10%/1,000 ft DA rule of thumb (FAA-H-8083-25B). Turboprops and jets are less sensitive in practice. Always verify against the POH.

Estimated Operating Costs

Hourly direct and annual fixed costs

Scale:
Piper PA-23-150/160 Apache Avgas
$171 /hr
Baseline
Piper PA-23-150/160 Apache: $171 per flight hour — fuel $104, maintenance and reserve $67.
Piper PA-30 Turbo Twin Comanche Avgas
$197 /hr
Baseline
Piper PA-30 Turbo Twin Comanche: $197 per flight hour — fuel $112, maintenance and reserve $85.
Piper PA-23-150/160 Apache Piston
$9,424 /yr Baseline
Piper PA-23-150/160 Apache: $9,424 per year — insurance withheld, hangar $6,924, annual inspection $2,500.
Piper PA-30 Turbo Twin Comanche Piston
$8,731 /yr Baseline
Piper PA-30 Turbo Twin Comanche: $8,731 per year — insurance withheld, hangar $6,231, annual inspection $2,500.

Estimates only. Hourly direct operating cost, based on fuel price and reserves; Annual fixed costs (insurance, hangar, and inspection). Costs vary by location, pilot profile, and market conditions. See individual aircraft pages for source notes.

Capability & limits

Payload vs useful load limit

+ cargo
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Piper PA-23-150/160 Apache Piston
5 / 5 seats cargo 72 gal / 72 gal fuel 1,138 lbs wet payload 1,570 lbs useful 3,800 lbs MTOW
Piper PA-30 Turbo Twin Comanche Piston
6 / 6 seats cargo 120 gal / 120 gal fuel 597 lbs wet payload 1,317 lbs useful 3,600 lbs MTOW

Shows selected occupants against full fuel, within the aircraft's useful-load limit. Fuel weight at 6.7 lb/gal jet-A, 6.0 lb/gal avgas; pax and luggage are 190 + 30 . Change payload weights in global settings.

Payload-Range Map

Origin: → · two fingers to move map

+ cargo
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