The AC690 seems to meet the profile, fast with the legs, good load, just maintenance I am worried about.
Just a touch of an accountant in the pilot!
If the turbine commander is such a wonderful performer and money maker, why did only a handful come to this part of the world, many to DCA, very few in charter, none in RPT?
It is a 1944 Ted Smith design. There was fifteen (15) different turbine Commander models (and 16 different piston engine models), the "youngest" must be at least 30 years old! Most of the manufacturers are out of business.
From 1961 to 1993, 24 aircraft crashed when spar failures caused the loss of the wing in flight (including a few in Australia). 35 more spars were found cracked during inspections. The expensive spar inspection program continues.....
There is no such thing as a cheap aircraft. If you must buy an aircraft, at least buy something that has proven service and productivity in Australia, has a manufacturer that is still in the aircraft business, has local parts availability and hopefully is younger than the pilots flying it!!
You will have two days of great joy when owning 30 plus year old, old technology, tired GA aircraft: The day you buy it, and the day you finally get rid of it!
