Piper PA-24 Comanche vs Piper PA-32R Lance

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

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Dimensions & configuration

Representative planforms, drawn to shared scale.

Piper PA-24 Comanche
36 ft × 26 ft ⭥ 8 ft
1× Piston Retractable Unpressurized
Piper PA-32R Lance
36 ft × 28 ft ⭥ 8 ft
1× 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-24 ComanchePiper PA-32R Lance
Stall speed 67 kt—
Approach speed 78 kt80 kt
Cruise speed 160 kt142 kt
Range 570 nm975 nm
Service ceiling 19500 ft15000 ft
Rate of climb 1320 fpm1000 fpm
Fuel burn 14.1 gph16.0 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-24 Comanche Avgas
14.1 gph
Baseline
570 nm range 11.3 nm/gal 56 gal usable $92 fuel/hr 3h 58m endurance
Piper PA-24 Comanche: 14.1 gph at cruise, 570 nautical mile published range, 3 hour 58 minute endurance, 11.3 nautical miles per gallon.
Piper PA-32R Lance Avgas
16.0 gph
Baseline
975 nm range 8.9 nm/gal 94 gal usable $104 fuel/hr 5h 52m endurance
Piper PA-32R Lance: 16.0 gph at cruise, 975 nautical mile published range, 5 hour 52 minute endurance, 8.9 nautical miles per gallon.
Avgas range each cell = 1 hr of cruise · width scales with speed tank-dry · at this cruise burn

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-24 Comanche Avgas
$166 /hr
Baseline
Piper PA-24 Comanche: $166 per flight hour — fuel $92, maintenance and reserve $74.
Piper PA-32R Lance Avgas
$196 /hr
Baseline
Piper PA-32R Lance: $196 per flight hour — fuel $104, maintenance and reserve $92.
Piper PA-24 Comanche Piston
$10,346 /yr Baseline
Piper PA-24 Comanche: $10,346 per year — insurance $2,470, hangar $6,376, annual inspection $1,500.
Piper PA-32R Lance Piston
$15,842 /yr Baseline
Piper PA-32R Lance: $15,842 per year — insurance $4,800, hangar $6,902, annual inspection $4,140.

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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1
Piper PA-24 Comanche Piston
4 / 4 seats cargo 56 gal / 56 gal fuel 1,091 lbs wet payload 1,427 lbs useful 3,200 lbs MTOW
Piper PA-32R Lance Piston
7 / 7 seats cargo 94 gal / 94 gal fuel 958 lbs wet payload 1,522 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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