First Flight Aviation is also a Cirrus Authorized Service Center (ASC) and is a proud member of the Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association (COPA). That company would enter liquidation in the early 2000s, after which a group of Commander aircraft owners acquired the rights and formed the Commander Premier Aircraft Corporation (CPAC), a company that was sold and later folded. Last post 26 minutes ago in 78.2M For more, contact Sagem Avionics at America’s owner-flown aircraft enthusiasts and active-pilot resource, delivered to your inbox!Plane and Pilot builds on more than 50 years of serving pilots and owners of aircraft with the goal of empowering our readers to improve their knowledge and enthusiasm for aviation. The top Twin Commander was produced for only three years, from 1982 to 1985, but Jay Obernolte, president of FarSight Studios in Big Bear, Calif., feels it was the best of the best. The idea for the Commander light business twin was conceived by The prototype flew successfully and the company leased, at no cost, a new 26,000 square-foot factory at In military service, it was initially designated the One U-4B became a presidential transport aircraft for As of 2004, Shrike Commanders remained in service with the The unpressurized, long-fuselage 680FL was operated as a small package freighter by Combs Freightair in the 1970s and 1980s, and by Suburban Air Freight in the 1980s and 1990s.
The Aerostar was a great performer, probably the best handling asymmetrical-thrust twin in the sky, but of course, it was still a piston machine with all the inherent reliability considerations, and it had only six usable seats.” Obernolte was looking to step up to a turbine, and he did extensive research before giving up his Aerostar.
Sometime down the road, FarSight has plans to acquire an Embraer Phenom 100 jet and then a Phenom 300, but the company president says the 100 definitely won’t replace the Twin Commander. “One of the Twin Commander’s fringe benefits is that it’s actually a good short-field machine,” says Obernolte. The 690A, first produced in 1973, represented a significant advancement for turboprop Twin Commander aircraft. 1.7K
Our large helicopter section. I didn’t want to step down in performance—the Glasair cruised at nearly 220 knots,” Jay explains. In 2007, we were able to fly the 1000 from Big Bear all the way to the NBAA Convention in Atlanta nonstop without benefit of any tailwind. “Mine is one of only 42 built, a 1982 model that was originally owned by the DEA and operated for 20 years in a variety of government missions. Initial rate of climb 2802ft/min. / The Aero Commander’s simple systems demanded little of the pilot, and even a gear-up landing ... (now Honeywell) TPE-311-43A turboprop engines, was certificated in September, 1965, beginning two decades of evolution in Turbo Commanders. If we do elect to fly tall, we can go to FL350 and still score 285 knots on more like 400 pounds/hour. I took delivery of the 1000 in August ’04, and it went straight to work for my company.” Obernolte’s FarSight Studios designs primarily sports and casual video games for platforms such as the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii and a variety of PC applications. Last post 19 minutes ago in We are certified for scheduled and unscheduled maintenance on Piston, Turboprop and Jet Aircraft including but not limited to ALL models of Cessna Citations, Jet Commanders, Aero Commanders, Single and Multi-Engine Aircraft. 42.8M This initial Turbo Commander model was designated the 680T and entered production in 1965. Models include 690, 1000, 840, and 900. “I’ve always liked Ted Smith’s designs. / The airplane will climb straight to FL350 with a full load, but FL290 is the default altitude for us,” Obernolte comments. Sign up to receive the latest photos, news, contest announcements and more. These went into production with Gulfstream, who had purchased Rockwell's GA lines in 1979.