Beautiful, my Grandfather flew Aero Comanders of every configuration even Jet Comanders. He worked for a Commander dealer out of Linden NJ among many other jobs during his 60 plus years in Aviation.
Nowadays it seems that we are regressing rather than progressing. I remember in 1967 my dad bought a slightly used '67 Skyhawk for less than 7k. I was the family pilot at 17 and we flew around the country using avgas that cost less than 50 cents per gallon. Now, enter a whole new political scenario. I recently paid $500 for two "O" rings for two gas caps on my Bonanza. Avgas is over $7.00/gallon and rising. I dreamed of having a Commander one day but my Bonanza just slipped out of reach. We need a miracle, many miracles, and soon to enjoy the American dream again.
We have an Aero Commander at the A&P school I teach at here in Portland. Having worked on it a little I can appreciate the machine now much more than before. Ours works too.
Good to see that you have your bird back! I can confirm that "the first landing is always good", when you haven't flown in a while, and the subsequent ones are often so-so. Did that recently during EFIS familiarisation training in a 12 knot or so crosswind. First landing was what my instructor called "perfect", the next ones were just "ok", although in his judgment still "safe enough". Also again interesting to notice the wide variety of GA planes. Our club has a fixed-pitch-prop piston single with a full-blown EFIS suite (Garmin G3X Touch), and you have this great, fast twin-turboprop with steam gauges. And there's nothing wrong with either.
Congratulations, great to see you back in the air! I think when I first started watching you there was a lot less gray hair, hopefully the journey was not that stressful.
Always wanted a Turbo Commander. Then I started working on airplanes. Now in the back office doing the paperwork. Can’t afford one…. I’ll stick with a 108 Stinson tho. And I can afford my hangar. 😊
Once knew a guy that flew a Commander for a company. He was departing one night and didn’t realize he was on a closed runway. He hit a stack of concrete blocks and ripped a big gash in the bottom of the plane.
Great to see you back again! I was wondering what happened to you. Loved the old Commander you had and enjoyed the trips you made with it. Last I saw, you had the Aerostar. I'll be watching you. Keep doing what you're doing and enjoy yourself.
Just wonderful . I loved the multi day cross country videos in the 520 . They were epic. All your videos are super but I am excited to see this one used !
2023.05.06 I can't find the beginning of this process yet, but I was wondering when she left Bethany, Ok. I worked on the wing team when I was in college in 65 and 66. I'll check out your other videos to see if I can locate the model year. Nice job.
I was just remembering Why I got an A&P, it was because of those type of repair you were referring to, I had just gotten back in country and I wanted an plane so I could see the rest of the country, but I didn't have any Money. I found my first sitting in the front yard of the owner Tripacer guy at airport felt sorry for me cause I didn't know anything about building a airplane. But he was a good guy and signed me off for my airframe and powerplant after 2 years working on my first, I didn't want to pay those big bills for repairs, that was in 1970 and I'm still doing the same thing , my grand kids say it's cause I'm cheap. I like your is it a Rockwell Aero commander ? With Garretts I always wondered what it be like with a turbine in my Bonanza , we used to take old Garretts 331's and mount them on train for Snow Blowers. I think most pilots should have an A&P maybe we'd have a lot more aircraft still flying . Nice bird
I just read the year 1966 in Bethany,Ok. That's where I was raised. My aunt worked there for awhile. It seems like they made the jets in Norman, Ok. 7:20
Your temp gauges are made by Electronics International, one of the few instrument manufacturers that make a really good product. Where is all of this aviation madness happening. What conversion? Where you parking that antique? I used to work on those, new, about 40 years ago. Great flying airplanes! Great engines too, those Garrett’s have always been good performing engines.
Авто/Мото
Congrats! This beautiful old girl is going to cost you your house😂, but it will be worth every last cent 👍👍
I don’t fly but this aircraft has always been one of my favorites. It’s great looking and great performing.
One of the best Birds ever buit.
Awesome Aircraft! Thanks for Sharing this Video with all watching.
Beautiful, my Grandfather flew Aero Comanders of every configuration even Jet Comanders. He worked for a Commander dealer out of Linden NJ among many other jobs during his 60 plus years in Aviation.
He was also friends with the great Bob Hover, that man didn't fly that Comander, he wore it. Lol
What tuff aircraft. You are a fortunate feller!
Congratulations sir.
Congratulations! Glad to see you got her back in the air. :)
Nowadays it seems that we are regressing rather than progressing. I remember in 1967 my dad bought a slightly used '67 Skyhawk for less than 7k. I was the family pilot at 17 and we flew around the country using avgas that cost less than 50 cents per gallon. Now, enter a whole new political scenario. I recently paid $500 for two "O" rings for two gas caps on my Bonanza. Avgas is over $7.00/gallon and rising. I dreamed of having a Commander one day but my Bonanza just slipped out of reach. We need a miracle, many miracles, and soon to enjoy the American dream again.
Cool video. I would’ve loved to have seen the engine start up and takeoff but excellent video Nonetheless. congratulations!
Congrats , glad to see yu ready to fly
Beautiful bird, the commanders are my favorite twin. Comanche driver here
I thought I was already jaded to the high costs of aircraft repairs but your details on the new fuel drain blew my mind.
Death by a thousand cuts in aviation.
Fantastic. Looking forward to seeing more flying videos. Enjoy your trips!
Really glad for you 👌👍🔝
We have an Aero Commander at the A&P school I teach at here in Portland. Having worked on it a little I can appreciate the machine now much more than before. Ours works too.
I remember seeing my first aero commander at Orange Airport (YORG) and loved it from that moment. But a turbine, wow.
Great to see you back in the air. I've missed your videos.
Nice old bird!
Very good landing! Simply amazing 😍🤩 buttery landing
great to see you back! More videos please!
Bravo.thenks
I use the JET A1 in my tractors :)
so next time you dump fuel from an aircraft just add some oil and use it in agricultural machinery ;)
Good job glad to see her back 🌊
Good to see that you have your bird back! I can confirm that "the first landing is always good", when you haven't flown in a while, and the subsequent ones are often so-so. Did that recently during EFIS familiarisation training in a 12 knot or so crosswind. First landing was what my instructor called "perfect", the next ones were just "ok", although in his judgment still "safe enough".
Also again interesting to notice the wide variety of GA planes. Our club has a fixed-pitch-prop piston single with a full-blown EFIS suite (Garmin G3X Touch), and you have this great, fast twin-turboprop with steam gauges. And there's nothing wrong with either.
Mahalo's for your post...
Congratulations, great to see you back in the air! I think when I first started watching you there was a lot less gray hair, hopefully the journey was not that stressful.
Love that thing
Awesome! Can’t wait to see more….
Yay, congratulations! That’s such a cool plane.
Always wanted a Turbo Commander. Then I started working on airplanes. Now in the back office doing the paperwork. Can’t afford one…. I’ll stick with a 108 Stinson tho. And I can afford my hangar. 😊
Love Stinsons! The Cadillac of the sky!
Love the Garett Engines especially in BETAS
Great airplane!
Once knew a guy that flew a Commander for a company. He was departing one night and didn’t realize he was on a closed runway. He hit a stack of concrete blocks and ripped a big gash in the bottom of the plane.
Ouch! Hope he was OK.
@@stratobee he was, except for his pride!
Great to see you back again! I was wondering what happened to you. Loved the old Commander you had and enjoyed the trips you made with it. Last I saw, you had the Aerostar. I'll be watching you. Keep doing what you're doing and enjoy yourself.
Just wonderful . I loved the multi day cross country videos in the 520 . They were epic. All your videos are super but I am excited to see this one used !
Thank you Carl!
2023.05.06 I can't find the beginning of this process yet, but I was wondering when she left Bethany, Ok. I worked on the wing team when I was in college in 65 and 66. I'll check out your other videos to see if I can locate the model year. Nice job.
She was built in 1966 as 680T, then converted to a 680V in 1967.
@@stratobee Dang! I might have hammered a few rivets on that wing. Great airplane.
Machine! It is machine!
man it's been a minute....great to see you back and smiling when talking about her!....
Congrats! Hope you keep posting videos of your old commander
I was just remembering Why I got an A&P, it was because of those type of repair you were referring to, I had just gotten back in country and I wanted an plane so I could see the rest of the country, but I didn't have any Money. I found my first sitting in the front yard of the owner Tripacer guy at airport felt sorry for me cause I didn't know anything about building a airplane. But he was a good guy and signed me off for my airframe and powerplant after 2 years working on my first, I didn't want to pay those big bills for repairs, that was in 1970 and I'm still doing the same thing , my grand kids say it's cause I'm cheap. I like your is it a Rockwell Aero commander ? With Garretts I always wondered what it be like with a turbine in my Bonanza , we used to take old Garretts 331's and mount them on train for Snow Blowers. I think most pilots should have an A&P maybe we'd have a lot more aircraft still flying . Nice bird
Its a Aero Comander 680V do not know when Rockwell took over "production"
Congrats!
You all know how to make a small fortune in aviation.
Yes, start with a larger fortune, lol
glad you are back!
Did you happen to fly into willows airport on Saturday morning? If you did… I saw you!! I was actually excited to see an old bird like that!!!
A great Ted Smith design.
Great to see a wheelie again!
Donizete Bragaca sp Brasil ✈✈✈✈✈✈✈
Great to see you back been following your vids all the way back when you had the old 520 hope you make more flying vids in the future
Better than the aerostar? Seems like this airplane has been a struggle to get flying
That´s good news
Anything that attaches to an aircraft is always 20 to 50 times more expensive than it should be.
Sure is!
Good to see you vack :)
Man, my dream plane.. what airport to you keep her at?
subscribed
Intressant. Har tittat pa alla dina video.
That tag is a DEA tag
Been flying in one years ago
Do it yourself and have a AP write it off!
I have a 680V that I'm parting with props and -43A garretts
hey if your ever at the santa paula airport can you take me up please?
I used to work on one of those noisy bastards. Are you familiar with the Garrett Salute?
I am!
Hmmmm, ever checked into the cost of a 331 overhaul X 2 ??? You might find out why it’s been sitting.
Where and when was the plane built. I live in a town where they were built. 7:20
I just read the year 1966 in Bethany,Ok. That's where I was raised. My aunt worked there for awhile. It seems like they made the jets in Norman, Ok. 7:20
Please make more content
So does this mean you're going to develop a airshow tribute to Bob Hoover and hit the airshow circuit?!??😅
Put that poor baby in a hangar
-1? converted from what?
Do you miss the Aerostar?
Yes I do. The Aerostar is just a little fighter jet. This one flies nice, but much more lumbering.
Mr Ted Smith ....we love your birds
It looks like you have some kind of brake issue up on landing.
not a fan of planes seating outside for years, hot sun and heavy rain, you can tell how long is it been by the painted strips losing their colors.
California still sells avgas?
Shouldn't you wear the shoulder harness ?
There aren't any😉.
Chino?
Yes.
Close off fuel sump.let her rip tatter chip
Your temp gauges are made by Electronics International, one of the few instrument manufacturers that make a really good product. Where is all of this aviation madness happening. What conversion? Where you parking that antique? I used to work on those, new, about 40 years ago. Great flying airplanes! Great engines too, those Garrett’s have always been good performing engines.
Yes, good instruments. She was converted from her factory TPE331-43BL's to TPE331-1's (also called Jetprops at the time) in the late 70's.