info on Aero Commander 500A
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1
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From: :duhhh:
info on Aero Commander 500A
i m planning to start a small cargo company along with a friend of mine and we've been lookin for aircrafts under $100,000, small aircrafts like a senecca or piper seminole etc we just saw a 1961 Aero Commander 500A for sale for $85,000 here
1961 Commander 500A | Aviators Hotline
how is the aircraft? is there anythin in particular that needs to be looked for in the tech logs?
how r the reviews for this aircraft? would it be a good idea to use it for small scale cargo(mostly clothes nd supplies)?
any suggestions for a better aircraft?
any info would be of great help
thanks alot
1961 Commander 500A | Aviators Hotline
how is the aircraft? is there anythin in particular that needs to be looked for in the tech logs?
how r the reviews for this aircraft? would it be a good idea to use it for small scale cargo(mostly clothes nd supplies)?
any suggestions for a better aircraft?
any info would be of great help
thanks alot
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: UK
I use to fly a commander in the Caribbean many years ago, and they are still very popular down there. Fast and solid, however I would check on parts prices, and servicing. Why not a Cessna 421? bigger (more Cargo per trip) and more around.
Aviator Extraordinaire
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,396
Likes: 3
From: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma USA
While the 500A is one of the nicest flying aircraft of its class, I would caution you to check into the hourly maintenance cost of the 500A when compared to other aircraft in the same class.
They are great aircraft, but in my experience, they are more expensive to operate when compared to the Cessna 400 series and the Piper Navajo.
Anyway, good luck to you.
They are great aircraft, but in my experience, they are more expensive to operate when compared to the Cessna 400 series and the Piper Navajo.
Anyway, good luck to you.
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,631
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From: Los Angeles, USA
Hi. I own the older model 520, so maybe I can be of some help.
The 500A is the first model with the new slimmer nacelles, it's fuel injected and has 260hp IO-470's. Solid direct drive engines whereas the previous models had the more finicky geared engines that had to be flown gentler and not throttle jockeyed around. The 500A's engines you can mistreat.
You will see roughly the same performance as I get on the 520, but the new nacelles gives you a little edge. I'm guessing somewhere between 160-170kts, knuckles to the wall. 30gph and upwards, give or take. Aero Commanders have a huge cabin/baggage and you'll run out of useable weight long before you run out of space.
There are three recurring wing spar AD's you need to verify that it is in compliance with.
AD 98-08-19 is the leading edge forward attach bracket inspection and panel due at 6000hrs. Cheap and relatively easy to do.
AD 94-04-13 is the forward spar cap inspection and this is due every 500hrs. Easy to inspect.
AD 94-04-14 is the spar cap replacement for galvanic corrosion. This is probably done, but make sure to check the logs as it's expensive.
If you're in the US, there's a guy called John Towner in Kansas who runs a freight operation with over 30 AC500's called Central Airlines. He's got some good STC's for deicing and other stuff, should you want to upgrade the aircraft. They also repair them. Or, should Stockton, CA, be closer, Morris Kernick's Commander services is the best and most experienced in these. In the UK, I don't know who services them, but there's a 680E still at Elstree so might be worth checking with that owner.
What can I say about Commanders that hasn't already been said? Obviously I'm biased, but I don't think you can get a better airplane for money. They fly beautifully - super stable IFR platforms (I've heard, I only fly VFR), great single engine performance, rugged, tough. They'll get into fields shorter than any other twin, rough, grass, gravel, whatever - they don't mind. Great visibility, roomy cockpit. Never have to worry about prop strikes. Great rudder authority and ailerons that never stall makes them a joy to fly. And safe.
Steering takes a little while to get used to and any hydraulic leaks should be fixed as everything on that plane is hydraulic. That's about it.
The 500A is the first model with the new slimmer nacelles, it's fuel injected and has 260hp IO-470's. Solid direct drive engines whereas the previous models had the more finicky geared engines that had to be flown gentler and not throttle jockeyed around. The 500A's engines you can mistreat.
You will see roughly the same performance as I get on the 520, but the new nacelles gives you a little edge. I'm guessing somewhere between 160-170kts, knuckles to the wall. 30gph and upwards, give or take. Aero Commanders have a huge cabin/baggage and you'll run out of useable weight long before you run out of space.
There are three recurring wing spar AD's you need to verify that it is in compliance with.
AD 98-08-19 is the leading edge forward attach bracket inspection and panel due at 6000hrs. Cheap and relatively easy to do.
AD 94-04-13 is the forward spar cap inspection and this is due every 500hrs. Easy to inspect.
AD 94-04-14 is the spar cap replacement for galvanic corrosion. This is probably done, but make sure to check the logs as it's expensive.
If you're in the US, there's a guy called John Towner in Kansas who runs a freight operation with over 30 AC500's called Central Airlines. He's got some good STC's for deicing and other stuff, should you want to upgrade the aircraft. They also repair them. Or, should Stockton, CA, be closer, Morris Kernick's Commander services is the best and most experienced in these. In the UK, I don't know who services them, but there's a 680E still at Elstree so might be worth checking with that owner.
What can I say about Commanders that hasn't already been said? Obviously I'm biased, but I don't think you can get a better airplane for money. They fly beautifully - super stable IFR platforms (I've heard, I only fly VFR), great single engine performance, rugged, tough. They'll get into fields shorter than any other twin, rough, grass, gravel, whatever - they don't mind. Great visibility, roomy cockpit. Never have to worry about prop strikes. Great rudder authority and ailerons that never stall makes them a joy to fly. And safe.
Steering takes a little while to get used to and any hydraulic leaks should be fixed as everything on that plane is hydraulic. That's about it.
