BT mind trust....


Please tell me the GOTCHAs Of each of these planes.

1) Rockwell AeroCommander 500

2) Aerostar 600 series

Pro’s and Con’s of one over the other.

Personal opinions welcome.

Factual information also welcomed.

Thank you in advance

I've seen how close the clearances are in the cowling of an Aerostar. Not sure about the Commanders. Don't forget to ask your mechanic too.

Well John, what are your concerns? I think it just comes down to the space/size vs speed issue. They are both old and, like so many planes, have numerous examples for sale which probably could use the asking price or more to make airworthy. A naturally aspirated Aerostar will probably run an average of 30 knots faster and have the handling and performance that comes with the aerodynamic trade offs required. Add turbos and it’s 50-60 knots faster. It’s about 5” narrower and 5” less headroom inside. I’m 6’2” and I’m comfortable in either. I know the Commander inside and out. I just bought the Aerostar so I don’t know what I don’t know. Jim Christy knows everything about the Aerostar so I’d call him if you go that route.

I was entertained when the stall buffet started at 115mph in the 601P. It’s a fast and compact package and I’m excited to get some real time in it. The owner group(s?) for Aerostars are much stronger while Commander has a wider service network and also great support. I don’t think twice about taking the Commander into Airport Manatee. I don’t think I’ll be doing that in the Aerostar. Scratch that, I know I won’t. My only concern at this point is whether or not I can get the kids and all of their stuff in the thing. My quick thoughts. Call me anytime.

They are pretty different. I love both, but for various reasons. The Commander is the Tahoe. It's roomy, it can go anywhere, it's a hauler and equally at home in the dirt as at the Ritz. The Aerostar is a Corvette. Fast, slippery, handles like a jet. Commander won't bite, the Aerostar can bite if you get slow.

Both have hydraulic-centric systems with all that entails, both have funny steering that needs maintaining. 500's easier to work on to a point (not if you have to do spar inspections every 36 month) whereas Aerostar is tight, tight, tight. Everything is packed into small space.

If I needed to go far mostly by myself from one tarmac airport to another, I'd go Aerostar. If I needed to haul stuff or be able to go camping or get into smaller strips, 500B would be my choice.

Only the Commander has been Air Force One
[youtube]https://youtu.be/wg_gq7slaQ0[/youtube]
https://youtu.be/wg_gq7slaQ0

Well John, what are your concerns? I think it just comes down to the space/size vs speed issue. They are both old and, like so many planes, have numerous examples for sale which probably could use the asking price or more to make airworthy. A naturally aspirated Aerostar will probably run an average of 30 knots faster and have the handling and performance that comes with the aerodynamic trade offs required. Add turbos and it’s 50-60 knots faster. It’s about 5” narrower and 5” less headroom inside. I’m 6’2” and I’m comfortable in either. I know the Commander inside and out. I just bought the Aerostar so I don’t know what I don’t know. Jim Christy knows everything about the Aerostar so I’d call him if you go that route.

I was entertained when the stall buffet started at 115mph in the 601P. It’s a fast and compact package and I’m excited to get some real time in it. The owner group(s?) for Aerostars are much stronger while Commander has a wider service network and also great support. I don’t think twice about taking the Commander into Airport Manatee. I don’t think I’ll be doing that in the Aerostar. Scratch that, I know I won’t. My only concern at this point is whether or not I can get the kids and all of their stuff in the thing. My quick thoughts. Call me anytime.

After a little practice, you should have no problem getting into a 3,000' runway, especially with a 600. Also, there is nothing crowded under the hood of a 600. A "P turbo" model yes. NA 600, no way. Once you understand how the plane flies, it's a piece of cake. If there is only one thing to remember it's this, "don't get slow."

Yeah, I would never take my 600 into a grass strip, I don’t care if it’s 12,000’ long.

Is yours the one with the green scheme with a GW tail number? If so that's got to be the nicest one in the world so I understand not getting it dirty!

Excellent information. Thank you all for you time and input.

Stay safe

Commander guys, how would you feel about going into a 2200’ grass strip at ~1,000’ MSL several times a year? No immediate obstacles on either end of the runway.

With my old geared Commander I wouldn't think twice about it. The 500B needs a little more, but owner Dave Phifer used to base his 500B at his own 2000ft grass strip for decades (maybe he still does?). As I recall it's a Merlyn-engined 500B with the 320hp engines.

[youtube]http://youtu.be/UeoJiu7or_M[/youtube]

[youtube]http://youtu.be/Ctf1ZycVag8[/youtube]

https://www.facebook.com/swederalston/v ... /?vh=e&d=n

I’m not much of a facebooker but if you can make this link work, it’s worth the watch. I’ve done 2200’ grass at 800 msl when light.

Because it's been 10 years, almost, I just thought I'd add link to my 520 T/O. 600ft, roughly. Now, a direct drive like a 500B won't perform like this (this is strictly the domain of the geared engine and light weight of the 520), but just gives you an idea what a light Commander can do.

You can check yourself, I'm airborne by the threshold after the chevrons at KEMT. That's about 600-700ft.

[youtube]http://youtu.be/0zEhHJkUERE[/youtube]

Is yours the one with the green scheme with a GW tail number? If so that's got to be the nicest one in the world so I understand not getting it dirty!