number one, screw off.
number two, if that's a commander then I own a king air.
number three, i hate you.
number four, why didn't you tell me about this so i could ride along?
number five, where's the panel pic.
number six, how the hell did you pull this off?

Responses:
#1 It's called Tom F*ck-off-ery (Tom Foolery done really well/ expensively) but I did complete some crucial business along the way.
#2 It is really a Commander... both of them were. That's how they roll. The A/C was stinkin' cold. AC 90 is the desginator. These were both Short Wing commanders today, but they still had the -10 garrets... so~ 715hp per side. We can climb just fine.
#3 You own magic... I just get to partake occasionally
#4 Next Time.... next time
#5 I'll find one, I'm not the best Twin Turbo-prop pilto yet, and it's been a few months since I last flew one of these... I also never let george take over, because I want to enjoy every last second of hand flying it, so I don't really get panel shots often... however I'll dig one up. (this has the full Meggit glass but driven by GNS 430Ws)
#6 I'm not proud of what I've had to do... but sufficed to say, I was young and needed the money. ( this translates to working in the Charter World and making friends)

Panel shot of one of the ones different from what I flew today... but you get the idea.

Is that one of Byerly's (re)creations? So, did you have to wind the rubber bands after landing?

Drew

You guys ever sell it?

That is a nice family picture.

Doug- which days are you flying at OSH this year?

Tentatively Tues and Saturday in the Hoover Tribute, and Thursday in the Red Tail for Tuskegee Airmen day, but the schedule is fluid.

My friend had a Commander 980 for a few years, beautiful airplane. Owned a lot of Beech airplanes starting with a Musketeer, last one was a new 58 Baron, then the 980. After a few years he sold it and bought a Cessna Mustang with about 125 hours on it!

There is a guy here that happens to own two of these, I have been lucky enough to put a few hours on both of them. My observations were:

- great flying airplane;
- the original panels were obviously not designed with human factors in mind, and drive the IFR workload way up;
- very tricky to taxi. Also, don't use the nose wheel steering above 40 KTS, or life gets exciting...ask me how I know.

The first time I flew one, I was told if I could taxi it, I could have it....
you will note the lack of commander listed under my avatar.

I now have about 30 hrs in the turbo commanders and im happy to say i can taxi it pretty darn well. I still get a little PIO as i apply power for take off, but i attribute that to the engines spooling up at slightly different rates.
awesome planes, glad i didnt have to put the $2200 in gas into it yesterday.