BeechTalk - BT

Username Protected · **Posted:** 24 Jul 2011, 16:14

I've always had a warm spot in my heart for Commanders (I've owned two 114's over the years); they are easy to fly, they look great sitting on the ramp, and it's impossible to make a bad landing with the trailing link landing gear. But, they're only good for about 140 knots with their usual IO-540, 260 HP.

Apparently, a company called Aerodyme got the STC to put a Lycoming IO-580 into the Commander 115 (now 320 HP), and it's then a "Super Commander".

Just found this ad for one that's got G600, S-Tec 55, and lots of other toys...

....if only it wasn't an orphan.... { sigh.. }

http://www.aso.com/listings/spec/ViewAd ... &dealerid=

Username Protected · **Posted:** 24 Jul 2011, 16:22

Ooooo Arlen, I agree.

I owned a 114 for 500 hours and loved everything about it . . . except watching cars below going faster than I was. 260 hp is just not enough for this airframe.

This thing looks interesting even if it is a frankenplane.

edit: spell

Username Protected · **Posted:** 24 Jul 2011, 16:25

Hmmm... the 320 horses is intriguing...

...and the airplane is pretty, too.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 24 Jul 2011, 16:55

So 60 HP gets you 40 knots? Huh.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 24 Jul 2011, 18:06

Can't help but wonder what the fuel flow is with 320HP? Didn't see where it was claimed to go 180Kts, but if it does go that fast it'd have to a very expensive trip. Agree it is a pretty airplane, not a V Tail, but still pretty.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 24 Jul 2011, 18:23

The ad said 180 kts. No way in hell you'll get it to go that fast on 320 HP. Fuel flow should be slightly more than a 550.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 24 Jul 2011, 18:31

Username Protected wrote:

The ad said 180 kts. No way in hell you'll get it to go that fast on 320 HP. Fuel flow should be slightly more than a 550.

I can go more than 180 kts with my 550 if I want to use the fuel.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 24 Jul 2011, 18:36

Username Protected wrote:

The ad said 180 kts. No way in hell you'll get it to go that fast on 320 HP. Fuel flow should be slightly more than a 550.

I can go more than 180 kts with my 550 if I want to use the fuel.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 24 Jul 2011, 18:40

It might just do it in the low teens. :popcorn:

Username Protected · **Posted:** 24 Jul 2011, 20:06

180 kts.? In a dive! Too big, too heavy, too comfortable! Always a tradeoff. :bat:

Username Protected · **Posted:** 24 Jul 2011, 20:16

Username Protected wrote:

180 kts.? In a dive! Too big, too heavy, too comfortable! Always a tradeoff. :bat:

Certainly no doubt a 550 V35 will do 180. I can get close but not quite with the 520 and mine is a little heavy, but as was mentioned we were talking about the Commander. I'm thinking it has to be 20 gallons per hour plus. As I said earlier, that makes for an expensive trip.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 24 Jul 2011, 20:34

The Commander cabin is very comfortable. A very nice traveling machine.

I would GUESS that a Commander with 320 HP might travel at 165 or 170 at reasonable fuel flows. Who knows just what that actually is....?

Bottom line: that's a lot of airplane with a lot of great stuff in it for somebody to fly. Reasons I no longer have a Commander include the speed, but more importantly it's an orphan airplane. In fact, the company that a group of owners formed (to try to keep the planes going and possibly get production going again) has been for sale for a while, and finally filed Chapter 11 last month.

I hope there's a way to save it, but I'm not very optimistic.