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Ahoy from Atlanta

B

BDornak

New member
Greetings everyone.

I thought I'd take a second to introduce myself. I'm a new member in the ATL area looking to put the 'Owner' in Commander Owners Group.

Since I first started looking at planes I've been drawn to the Commander, and I think I'm getting close to finally making that happen.
I set the idea aside for a while, but I've found myself back here again, so I figured I'd go ahead and join up so I could gather some real intel and Pireps.

Any particular pitfalls to watch out for? Things you wish you had done differently when you bought yours?
From reading other posts it looks like a lot of good Commander mechanics in TX, but what about out here on the east cost?

Thanks in advance and I look forward to it all.
 
Re: Ahoy from Atlanta

Hi Brandon, Welcome to the group.

I am just 99 nm South of you on Victor 97, Close to Albany,Ga. Where the grass is greener and the avgas and beer cheaper.

If this is your fist plane I would also make it your last plane. First thing is to sensibly figure out your mission. Forget about the once a year trip where you need to carry 8 men with scuba tanks and beer. 90% of my trips are just one and 9% are two. the only others are Young Eagle rides.

Of course the first thing is to contact Judy Anderson at Suncoast Aviation. She will not let you go wrong. Practically all of the satisfied Commander owners purchased with Judy's help.

The most expensive Commander is the cheap one that you have to spend a fortune on, just like a swimming pool at a house, far more cost effective to buy a Commander with all the bells and whistles installed by previous owners.

It is good to get involved with your maintenance if you are mechanically inclined, an owner assisted annual is the way to really get to know your plane.

Give me a call if you wish, any time between dark 30 and midnight. 229 407-0200

There are many very fine Commanders out there at this time, It is really a buyers market , and to buy one already fixed up is the way to go.

Life is a barrel of fun.

Ken Andrew
 
Re: Ahoy from Atlanta

Welcome Brandon,

You won't get a "lemon" with Judi from the "orange" state of Florida :)
 
Re: Ahoy from Atlanta

VGIAMPA said:
You won't get a "lemon" with Judi from the "orange" state of Florida :)
Click to expand...

Nice paraphrasing of that old (and still current) radio commercial here in SoCal, Vince! :-)


Gerry

P.S. Welcome, Brandon. I'm not an owner yet either, but working on it.
 
Re: Ahoy from Atlanta

Welcome Brandon - if you haven't already found it, take a look at our FAQ. Answers lots of common questions about the various models and ownership.
 
Re: Ahoy from Atlanta

Brandon,

The previous threads are right on about Judi. She has the history of almost the entire fleet of Commanders, since birth. You can't find a better person to help you with finding your new Baby.
 
Re: Ahoy from Atlanta

Welcome to CommanderLand, Brandon. happy to help if you need me.
... and thank you fellow COG friends. :)

Judi
 
Re: Ahoy from Atlanta

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone.

I did find the FAQ on the site as well as the prebuy checklist - a gold mine that has been supremely helpful.

Sounds like the person I need to get in touch with is first is Judi, and Judi I appreciate your willingness to let me pester you right off the bat.

Ken - thanks for the insight - maybe soon I can get down that way and enjoy a little cheap beer and avgas with you.

Thanks again
 
Re: Ahoy from Atlanta

I'm leaving for the rest of the day, but working Sunday.
I hv over 600 files on Commanders whether I've sold them or not. former ASSR for CAC back in the '90s/ sold 365 since.
..probably know 500 owners by their first name as I try and attend all their fly-ins. ..great airplane, Brandon! you'll see
when you get to fly one! :cool:

Judi
 
Last edited:
Re: Ahoy from Atlanta

janderson said:
I'm leaving for the rest of the day, but working Sunday.
I hv over 600 files on Commanders whether I've sold them or not. former ASSR for CAC back in the '90s/ sold 365 since.
..probably know 500 owners by their first name as I try and attend all their fly-ins. ..great airplane, Brandon! you'll see
when you get to fly one! :cool:

Judi
Click to expand...

At least their fly-in first names... Sleepy,... Dopey,... Speedy,... Bouncy,... Stinky,... Hungover,... ;-)
 
Re: Ahoy from Atlanta

You don't want too many other names like RedBull, yellow shirt, etc. do you? Not sure our new members will understand our group.. ;-)

Judi
 
Re: Ahoy from Atlanta

Brandon.

Tell us a little about yourself, flying experience, hobbies, occupation etc.

Just like when I hire somebody, rather have a man that builds race car engines than one that plays the piano. Trying to figure out how we can pick your brains, that is if you have one. Many members on here are quite deficient in that department.

Do not buy a green Commander.

Life is a barrel of fun.

Ken
 
Re: Ahoy from Atlanta

Hi Brandon,

Judi is a great resource for vetting aircraft history, down times, etc.

If a particular airplane catches your eye and makes it through the Judi filter, you should then have a thorough pre-buy inspection accomplished by a Commander expert, or a local mechanic being guided by a Commander expert.

Many of our fleet are over 40 years old. The question is not whether a particular airplane will have maintenance needs but rather what needs it has and how expensive they might be to rectify.

Jim
 
Re: Ahoy from Atlanta

Judi filter :cool:
how bout "AC11 Border Patrol"?

Judi
 
Re: Ahoy from Atlanta

Brandon, just so you know, Green commanders go alot faster!
 
Re: Ahoy from Atlanta

Hi Brandon,
I'm just abeam Ken in Lower Bama. My eldest flies out of Dobbins, where are you located / will fly out of?
We routinely fly into Cartersville (KPVC) to snatch the grandbabies . . .
Judi can assist with local owners in your area - I drove across Ala for a static display / examination prior to getting serious about a purchase.
Good luck.
(Yesterday I was running the plane up and a couple of local pilots stopped by and gave me a thumbs up - Yep, very proud of the Commander!);)
 
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