BeechTalk - BT

Username Protected · **Posted:** 12 Sep 2017, 10:57

Username Protected wrote:

the common belief is the series will begin to be produced in the future.

That would be fantastic to see!

Username Protected · **Posted:** 19 Sep 2017, 16:44

The Commanders are fine planes as many others have said. Another option that might be of interest is the TB-20 Trinidad. Similar to the 114 is some ways and a newer design overall most comfortable. The TB-20 has no issues with W&B, no cal-flaps to deal with, good parts support from Daher-Socata and is an excellent flying airplane.

Bill

Username Protected · **Posted:** 19 Sep 2017, 19:09

Username Protected wrote:

Aircraft design is an exquisite example of a zero sum game. Everything is a trade-off. The commanders are the fullest expression of prioritizing comfort over speed. Most people seem to be very happy with them if comfort is your priority. However, unless you were looking for a 36, I would disagree with you that 95,000 doesn't go very far. You can get a very nice debonair or V-tail for that price.

Indeed it can. I'd go VTail any day or a nice 182 first.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 20 Sep 2017, 17:41

I owned a Rockwell 114 for 10 years. It was a very pleasant aircraft to fly, responsive and precise. The trailing link landing gear made every landing a smooth one which was really good for the ego.

Two doors make access easy along with a large cargo door and good carrying capability.

On the standard IO-540 260HP, cruise speed was around 145 knots on 14GPH. Tank capacity was enough for 3.5 hours plus reserves.

Three years into ownership, wanting more speed while retaining the same qualities, I upgraded the engine to an IO 580 with a different induction system and some aerodynamic cleanup. The change was remarkable. I went from a 145 cruise to a 162 cruise. Climb performance was excellent. Range suffered a little unless the power was brought back or the aircraft flown high which it could easily do with the big engine. Overall, a good tradeoff.

Parts were never an issue. I was never grounded for lack of parts. Maintenance was easy, and access to the engine compartment excellent.

Overall, no regrets. I sold only because I wanted a twin and pressurization. All airplanes are tradeoffs. This one was not a bad tradeoff overall.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 20 Sep 2017, 18:33

Username Protected wrote:

I owned a Rockwell 114 for 10 years. It was a very pleasant aircraft to fly, responsive and precise. The trailing link landing gear made every landing a smooth one which was really good for the ego.

Two doors make access easy along with a large cargo door and good carrying capability.

On the standard IO-540 260HP, cruise speed was around 145 knots on 14GPH. Tank capacity was enough for 3.5 hours plus reserves.

Three years into ownership, wanting more speed while retaining the same qualities, I upgraded the engine to an IO 580 with a different induction system and some aerodynamic cleanup. The change was remarkable. I went from a 145 cruise to a 162 cruise. Climb performance was excellent. Range suffered a little unless the power was brought back or the aircraft flown high which it could easily do with the big engine. Overall, a good tradeoff.

Parts were never an issue. I was never grounded for lack of parts. Maintenance was easy, and access to the engine compartment excellent.

Overall, no regrets. I sold only because I wanted a twin and pressurization. All airplanes are tradeoffs. This one was not a bad tradeoff overall.

Got any pictures of your old 114? Is the engine change an STC?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 20 Sep 2017, 20:20

Username Protected wrote:

I owned a Rockwell 114 for 10 years. It was a very pleasant aircraft to fly, responsive and precise. The trailing link landing gear made every landing a smooth one which was really good for the ego.

Two doors make access easy along with a large cargo door and good carrying capability.

On the standard IO-540 260HP, cruise speed was around 145 knots on 14GPH. Tank capacity was enough for 3.5 hours plus reserves.

Three years into ownership, wanting more speed while retaining the same qualities, I upgraded the engine to an IO 580 with a different induction system and some aerodynamic cleanup. The change was remarkable. I went from a 145 cruise to a 162 cruise. Climb performance was excellent. Range suffered a little unless the power was brought back or the aircraft flown high which it could easily do with the big engine. Overall, a good tradeoff.

Parts were never an issue. I was never grounded for lack of parts. Maintenance was easy, and access to the engine compartment excellent.

Overall, no regrets. I sold only because I wanted a twin and pressurization. All airplanes are tradeoffs. This one was not a bad tradeoff overall.

Got any pictures of your old 114? Is the engine change an STC?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 21 Sep 2017, 12:18

It is an STC by Aerodyme from Burlington Vt. Picture attached from the day of the sale after I had moved the aircraft to the buyer's hangar...

Username Protected · **Posted:** 21 Sep 2017, 21:12

I was a partner with Aerodyme's Jim Richards in the first 'Super Commander' back in ~2005. Awesome plane, flew it to the Bahamas for my wedding in 2010 and to many other places. It's a little rocket ship with the IO-580. Great climber but cruise was aerodymamically limited to ~165 KTAS. Jim was hoping for ~175.
I liked the wide cabin and the 2 doors, trailing link gear etc.