I lived on Rockwell Avenue as a kid, right down the street from Wiley Post, and we could see these brand new birds on the ramp...Good looking machines.
I was a part owner in one, few corrections: only prime for cold start, burns 13-14 gph in cruise, plan of 140 kts cruise, climb rate is only 500 fpm, more for a short time at 80-90 kts. Bird is heavy/solid but that helps a ton in the bumps. I bought it because it of the two doors and headroom. I'm 6'1" and fit fine. Have to watch #3 cylinder EGT as it's right next to the turbo and gets hot, other 3 cylinders are fine. They check the valves during annuals for warping, I'm told. Partners friend has a 114 and the 112TC climbs just about the same, 114 cruises a bit faster. Landing is easy, watch for a shimmy on the nose wheel, had to get new strut and stabilizer. We have oxygen so it would do fine at 15,000 feet, just a long climb. Great plane!
I had the bottom pin in the oleo depart one day in the 114A I was flying. the bottom of the oleo went straight on the tyre putting a beautiful new tread in the tyre. Landed ok with it pulling to the left. Taxied in, didn’t deflate,continued to use the tyre with its new tread till it wore down. Aircraft tyres are pretty strong.
We had a 114B (GBIFD) in the late 80's. After we sold it it crashed on take off with exactly the problem you described with the fuel selector being left on. Love your videos!
Love-Love-Love the Commander and I’m also a fellow South Carolinian! Been waiting for this video and happy it’s here! (Hilton Head Island, SC and the reason for the “lc” in “lowcountry private pilot” handle)
I clocked up nearly a hundred hours on a 112A. The owner had brought it to do his PPL on and realised it was far too complicated so I flew him around for a year whilst he did his training on a C152. He even let me borrow it for free on weekends when he didn't want to go anywhere. I'd got most of my flying on C172's and maybe 20 hours on a Cutlass RG so it was utter luxury but a bit of a handful at first but a joy to fly. The gear up with low RPM warning scared the crap out of me the first time it sounded (practice slow flight) but I never once forgot to lower the gear. All good things come to an end. He got his licence and I never saw him or it again.
@@skywagonuniversity5023 Can you imagine? I was 24 years old at the time and had a bit over 1200 hours TT with a UK PPL with IMC, a US CPL IR and a UK AFI rating and I'd paid for all my flying up to that point.
I always thought the Commander was a fine looking aircraft! Not as sexy as an Aerostar, but it’s up there. Yes, I said sexy. I’m an old man and my tastes have changed. Lol
Too bad you weren't able to go around the pattern with this one.. Best intro yet though.. Looking forwardto seeing a Skymaster at some point. I look forward to your next instalment .
@@pchansen100 580 not only give the extra speed but it climbs like a bat out of hell. In fact, they never really did enough testing to know exactly how well it climbs, but there's impressive data.
There are not a lot of piston singles that where you could stand under the horizontal stab not having a "T" tail. This airplane is larger and stands a bit taller than I imagined from photos. Yes, I can see it's a cruciform tail, but still.
Another great and informative video from Mark. Great job. I wish this video was a little longer and gave more details about this iconic and wonderful airplane. The Rockwell Commander series are kinda like Deloreans. They look futuristic and ahead of their time but unfortunately they were a bit underpowered. I really considered buying one but opted for a Mooney 201 and I’m glad I did. You can’t beat the speed and fuel burn in a 201… 163 knots TAS at 11.4 GPH.
Couldn't wait for this video to come out! Now I can't wait for the Bonanza comparison. That is a great video idea, but there's not a well executed video on UA-cam. I know you will not get out of the park!
Knew nothing of this plane, now I want to buy one. :^) I agree, she is one good looking aircraft. I take it she is just not as slippery as she looks - to explain why she's not that fast. Any specs on useful load and range?
Down low it’s does 140kts, above 10000ft it’ll do 150-155kts. Slow is relative to its competitors, the 200hp Mooney’s can do 155-165kts. A Piper Turbo Arrow will do 165kts up high and a turbo 231 Mooney will do 175kts.
I do like the 112 and 114 but my favourite is the the TB 21 GT by Socata which incidentally has the largest cabin in its class by far, with more room than the 112 and 114, in my view the later model Trinidad is the best cross country single bar none!.
IO-390 TN with 3 blade MT scimitar would be nice for this bird with the drag reduction speed mods. See Carl. Problem is don't expect the Chinese shoe saleswoman who owns the TC and PC to support the airplane anymore. She was likely sent by the CCP to protect their market when they bought Cirrus. I remain forever pissed that the stupid BK court in Houston let a Chinese national buy the assets.
A great selling point is the Rockwell Commander Shrike and Bob Hoover, in addition to other twin Aero Commanders in this family heritage of well-built aircraft. Mentioning the Space Shuttle is too far removed from reality in general aviation.
As an aerospace engineer who is enthusiastic about space and works at a space company, I disagree. I would be stoked to fly something designed by Rockwell.
Mr. Mark. I love your channel. I love your attention to detail. I love your charisma and passion. But you were not yourself with this guest. I also happen to also love Rockwell planes and I think it deserves a proper review. I hope you'll be able to find another plane. Regardless, i look forward to your next one.
That's great to hear@@skywagonuniversity5023 . I'm UK based and there are some good examples here, including at least one 580 Super Commander (with a 320hp Lycoming IO-580!). BTW - really enjoy your videos. Super informative
@@skywagonuniversity5023 I really want a Commander, My father worked for North American Rockwell in Downey California before that company became Rockwell International and was with that company when they put men on the moon and built the space shuttle, and of course the B 1 Bomber. Now is the plane still available? please Email me at kobyearlkischer@gmail.com
Sorry to say, but that opening scene showed piss poor airmanship. When he pulls out of the parking spot and turns, his propwash is blasting gravel and small rocks off the ground into all the aircraft behind him. A good (polite) airman would have pulled the aircraft onto the taxiway and then started the engine to avoid blasting the aircraft behind his.
Couple of things to address here ... First, the ramp was completely swept three days ago using a commercial sweeper. There is nothing to blow onto anything. Second, there was not sufficient application of power to blow anything into another aircraft, let alone cause it harm, and finally, in 30 years of flying from this ramp, not a single aircraft on my pad (all of these aircraft are assets of Skywagons) has been damaged by doing this.
Since you're NOT knowledgeable about the plane , WHY don't YOU , ask your expert guest a question , and LET HIM fully answer each question ? Instead , of stumbling around and exposing your Ignorance !
@ Joe Doakes ... Such vitriol is completely unwarranted and based on assumptions. We work hard to provide you with quality videos. We hope you'll continue to enjoy our videos, but grant grace when we don't meet your expectations. We're always eager for quality feedback, but not so keen on angry, abusive comments. - Don the Camera Guy
Rockwell Commander and the Bellanca Viking both visually striking aircraft.
Navion is huge
Good taste, sir
The single commanche is also a beautiful GA bird
I lived on Rockwell Avenue as a kid, right down the street from Wiley Post, and we could see these brand new birds on the ramp...Good looking machines.
Thank you for sharing. Love this plane. In the 90(s) I used to rent a brand new Commander 114b. Not fast but very comfortable and well equipped.
I was a part owner in one, few corrections: only prime for cold start, burns 13-14 gph in cruise, plan of 140 kts cruise, climb rate is only 500 fpm, more for a short time at 80-90 kts. Bird is heavy/solid but that helps a ton in the bumps. I bought it because it of the two doors and headroom. I'm 6'1" and fit fine. Have to watch #3 cylinder EGT as it's right next to the turbo and gets hot, other 3 cylinders are fine. They check the valves during annuals for warping, I'm told. Partners friend has a 114 and the 112TC climbs just about the same, 114 cruises a bit faster. Landing is easy, watch for a shimmy on the nose wheel, had to get new strut and stabilizer. We have oxygen so it would do fine at 15,000 feet, just a long climb. Great plane!
How was maintenance? Break the bank?
@@themontay had a mechanic tell me it’ll drain the wallet. Maybe he didn’t like working on them?
@@themontay well I’d rather get slapped than knocked out. Lol
I've always loved the RC's from a distance, thanks all for sharing 👍✌️😊💜
I got my instrument and commercial on this plane in Hawaii back in 1979... love the 112 and the 114
I had the bottom pin in the oleo depart one day in the 114A I was flying. the bottom of the oleo went straight on the tyre putting a beautiful new tread in the tyre. Landed ok with it pulling to the left. Taxied in, didn’t deflate,continued to use the tyre with its new tread till it wore down. Aircraft tyres are pretty strong.
Cut a new tread
Standard fare. That is informative, brief and a great way to learn fast about an airplane of interest. TY -- good job.
Thanks for the compliment!
We had a 114B (GBIFD) in the late 80's. After we sold it it crashed on take off with exactly the problem you described with the fuel selector being left on. Love your videos!
Thanks for the info!
Love-Love-Love the Commander and I’m also a fellow South Carolinian!
Been waiting for this video and happy it’s here!
(Hilton Head Island, SC and the reason for the “lc” in “lowcountry private pilot” handle)
I clocked up nearly a hundred hours on a 112A. The owner had brought it to do his PPL on and realised it was far too complicated so I flew him around for a year whilst he did his training on a C152. He even let me borrow it for free on weekends when he didn't want to go anywhere. I'd got most of my flying on C172's and maybe 20 hours on a Cutlass RG so it was utter luxury but a bit of a handful at first but a joy to fly. The gear up with low RPM warning scared the crap out of me the first time it sounded (practice slow flight) but I never once forgot to lower the gear.
All good things come to an end. He got his licence and I never saw him or it again.
Nice to have free access to a plane like that.
@@skywagonuniversity5023 Can you imagine? I was 24 years old at the time and had a bit over 1200 hours TT with a UK PPL with IMC, a US CPL IR and a UK AFI rating and I'd paid for all my flying up to that point.
Excellent.
I always thought the Commander was a fine looking aircraft! Not as sexy as an Aerostar, but it’s up there. Yes, I said sexy. I’m an old man and my tastes have changed. Lol
😂😂😂
I’ve been considering this aircraft a lot lately.
Too bad you weren't able to go around the pattern with this one.. Best intro yet though.. Looking forwardto seeing a Skymaster at some point. I look forward to your next instalment .
Maybe one day!
I always learn something new here , very cool 😎
Very handsome aircraft, got a flight in a 114, basically same airframe but with a 540 lyc.
Great presentation as usual
I appreciate that
The two doors, trailing link gear and super wide cabin make this a great plane. If it was only about 10kts faster it would have it all!
There are a couple of 115's for sale right now with the IO580 upgrade. There's your 10kts and then some. What a beast of an airplane!
@@pchansen100 what's the burn like, 18-20gph!
10 knots?
Really?
That doesn’t amount to a hill of beans for this kind of airplane-
Or any airplane for that matter.
you can have it with the above mods I mention
@@pchansen100 580 not only give the extra speed but it climbs like a bat out of hell. In fact, they never really did enough testing to know exactly how well it climbs, but there's impressive data.
Absolutely gorgeous airplane. I looked up a 3-view- the wing is even cooler, with a forward-swept trailing edge.
Glad you liked it!
There are not a lot of piston singles that where you could stand under the horizontal stab not having a "T" tail. This airplane is larger and stands a bit taller than I imagined from photos. Yes, I can see it's a cruciform tail, but still.
They are big. Probably why they are not very fast.
Another great and informative video from Mark. Great job. I wish this video was a little longer and gave more details about this iconic and wonderful airplane. The Rockwell Commander series are kinda like Deloreans. They look futuristic and ahead of their time but unfortunately they were a bit underpowered. I really considered buying one but opted for a Mooney 201 and I’m glad I did. You can’t beat the speed and fuel burn in a 201… 163 knots TAS at 11.4 GPH.
Glad you liked it!
Great video Mark!
Very cool thanks Mark!
Glad you liked it!
Beautiful aircraft, my big concern is parts and support.
Parts support is the same on all the older planes, Mooney, Piper, Beech, Rockwell, Cessna. You can get it all.
Looking good!
Beautiful airplanes! Kind of a stark difference between the super-beefy main gear and the nose gear tho!
What is the cruise speed
Couldn't wait for this video to come out! Now I can't wait for the Bonanza comparison. That is a great video idea, but there's not a well executed video on UA-cam. I know you will not get out of the park!
Love the intro music 🤣🤣
Knew nothing of this plane, now I want to buy one. :^) I agree, she is one good looking aircraft. I take it she is just not as slippery as she looks - to explain why she's not that fast. Any specs on useful load and range?
Wide fuselage and underpowered for its weight.
You've mentioned that the 112TC isn't fast. But how fast is it?
Down low it’s does 140kts, above 10000ft it’ll do 150-155kts. Slow is relative to its competitors, the 200hp Mooney’s can do 155-165kts. A Piper Turbo Arrow will do 165kts up high and a turbo 231 Mooney will do 175kts.
G,day Mark from Sydney Australia. Over and above the spar ADs you want periodic service and inspection of the nose landing gear.
🌏🇭🇲
The RC is a fantastic plane.
Why isn’t this plane fast? You were talking about it being slower than Rockwell hoped, but didn’t finish the thought.
It looks like it should be fast, but isn't. The 114 is better. the 112's were very under-engined. Plus they are wide.
Nice plane in its day. It's not fast. It the kind of plane you buy for your wife because it reminds here of her station wagon ( today's SUV).
You are right!
I do like the 112 and 114 but my favourite is the the TB 21 GT by Socata which incidentally has the largest cabin in its class by far, with more room than the 112 and 114, in my view the later model Trinidad is the best cross country single bar none!.
I'll do a Trinidad soon.
IO-390 TN with 3 blade MT scimitar would be nice for this bird with the drag reduction speed mods. See Carl. Problem is don't expect the Chinese shoe saleswoman who owns the TC and PC to support the airplane anymore. She was likely sent by the CCP to protect their market when they bought Cirrus. I remain forever pissed that the stupid BK court in Houston let a Chinese national buy the assets.
A great selling point is the Rockwell Commander Shrike and Bob Hoover, in addition to other twin Aero Commanders in this family heritage of well-built aircraft. Mentioning the Space Shuttle is too far removed from reality in general aviation.
As an aerospace engineer who is enthusiastic about space and works at a space company, I disagree. I would be stoked to fly something designed by Rockwell.
@@tylerp6375 and Rockwell also built the B-1 bomber...check out the similarities in the tail design...
Why no roll on take off? Bob Hoover made it seem like anyone could do it in that plane
No flight in the Commander because it was not insured when it was here before I sold it.
Mr. Mark. I love your channel. I love your attention to detail. I love your charisma and passion. But you were not yourself with this guest. I also happen to also love Rockwell planes and I think it deserves a proper review. I hope you'll be able to find another plane. Regardless, i look forward to your next one.
Strongly disagree, this was fine I reckon.
THIS VIDEO IS 2 MONTHS OLD. IS THIS PLANE STILL FOR SALE?
Sorry. They do not last long. It's sold.
Flew a Bonanza for many Years.......At only a gallon an hour more fuel it was near 30 knots faster......Paul
The 114 is a bit faster but Bonanzas are much faster.
Ad,s ?
Yes, there are a few but nothing major. I can't list all of them on video's like this.
Am told spares are a problem for these, is that right?
Factory spares can be, but no worse than new Cessna, Piper, Beech or Mooney.
That's great to hear@@skywagonuniversity5023 . I'm UK based and there are some good examples here, including at least one 580 Super Commander (with a 320hp Lycoming IO-580!).
BTW - really enjoy your videos. Super informative
Nice intro music.
10:40 State of the art KR 85!
Ha, yes.
What is the cost of that commander I am looking to buy one.
About $80,000.
where in Nevada are you? I would like to see the plane
@@kobyonekanobie2790 I'm not in Nevada. I'm in Northern California at Placerville.
@@skywagonuniversity5023 I really want a Commander, My father worked for North American Rockwell in Downey California before that company became Rockwell International and was with that company when they put men on the moon and built the space shuttle, and of course the B 1 Bomber. Now is the plane still available? please Email me at kobyearlkischer@gmail.com
I flown a 112 nice plane .
Piper Turbo Arrow is a better buy, and might have a lower insurance rate.
But only 1 door which is a big drawback I think
Would take a wood/fabric Bellanca before this.......Three times the climb rate......Much faster......Paul
Me too.
Mark the need jam into music is alsum
👍
👍🏼👍🏼👋🏼
Hmmm
The Turbo Models are faster
Sorry to say, but that opening scene showed piss poor airmanship. When he pulls out of the parking spot and turns, his propwash is blasting gravel and small rocks off the ground into all the aircraft behind him. A good (polite) airman would have pulled the aircraft onto the taxiway and then started the engine to avoid blasting the aircraft behind his.
Couple of things to address here ... First, the ramp was completely swept three days ago using a commercial sweeper. There is nothing to blow onto anything. Second, there was not sufficient application of power to blow anything into another aircraft, let alone cause it harm, and finally, in 30 years of flying from this ramp, not a single aircraft on my pad (all of these aircraft are assets of Skywagons) has been damaged by doing this.
Also, All the planes there are mine so I can do what I want.
Since you're NOT knowledgeable about the plane , WHY don't YOU , ask your expert guest a question , and LET HIM fully answer each question ? Instead , of stumbling around and exposing your Ignorance !
I'll tell you why not, because my friend told me that he knows less than me about that plane. Nobody knows everything. I just admit it. But thank you.
You okay Joe?
@ Joe Doakes ... Such vitriol is completely unwarranted and based on assumptions. We work hard to provide you with quality videos. We hope you'll continue to enjoy our videos, but grant grace when we don't meet your expectations. We're always eager for quality feedback, but not so keen on angry, abusive comments. - Don the Camera Guy
You're correct my comments were not acceptable ! I'll refrain from such remarks and keep my opinions to myself !
I’d really like some real world performance numbers for the 112a, 112TC and 114.