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And ANOTHER new member!

BlackGTS

BlackGTS

New member
Winter Haven, FL
Aircraft Type
Other
Hey Y'all

Like most here, I have been a fan of the Commander for quite a while and am in the process of searching for one now. Been a visitor on the site for a bit and just upgraded to a paying member so I must be serious, right?

I bought a C-150 last August to get my ticket in and just got it earlier this month. Looking to now trade the C for a Commander and since it will mostly be me or me and my wife, a 112 should fit the bill. I have a LOT of reading to do now that I have access to the entire site but have been researching these planes for a long time so I have just enough knowledge to be dangerous.

Figured I would stop by here first and say hi before I start asking a bunch of stupid questions!

Thanks in advance and this COG has a very good reputation over on other sites


Ron Mattson
 
Re: And ANOTHER new member!

Welcome to living the Commander dream. Best of luck with your search. You might want to talk to Judi Anderson, who is our resident Commander Queen Bee. She has a file on almost every aircraft in the fleet and would be instrumental in helping you find the right Commander.
 
Re: And ANOTHER new member!

BlackGTS said:
Hey Y'all

Like most here, I have been a fan of the Commander for quite a while and am in the process of searching for one now. Been a visitor on the site for a bit and just upgraded to a paying member so I must be serious, right?

I bought a C-150 last August to get my ticket in and just got it earlier this month. Looking to now trade the C for a Commander and since it will mostly be me or me and my wife, a 112 should fit the bill. I have a LOT of reading to do now that I have access to the entire site but have been researching these planes for a long time so I have just enough knowledge to be dangerous.

Figured I would stop by here first and say hi before I start asking a bunch of stupid questions!

Thanks in advance and this COG has a very good reputation over on other sites


Ron Mattson
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Welcome Ron... Where are you located?
 
Re: And ANOTHER new member!

Walter, post on your profile your location, home base. Based on your picture, I'm guessing you might be able to trade rides with a current Commander driver! And good to know who is around to offer any support you might need.
 
Re: And ANOTHER new member!

Welcome Ron, now is also the time to be preparing for insurance. I would get as many logged hours in your C150 as you can and be working on your IFR now (I assume from your post you are newly VFR for less than a year). The sweet spot for the 112 being a complex aircraft is to be IFR rated and have 750 hours of which the more in a complex aircraft the better. If you think you are buying the Commander so you can get your IFR in it and save on rental...well my experience says you can rent a IFR capable plane cheaper than owning one. I love the COmmanders but they are like any plane in that there is constant annuals, inspections, repairs, recurring ADs, and more repairs.
 
Re: And ANOTHER new member!

Jaybird said:
Welcome Ron, now is also the time to be preparing for insurance. I would get as many logged hours in your C150 as you can and be working on your IFR now (I assume from your post you are newly VFR for less than a year). The sweet spot for the 112 being a complex aircraft is to be IFR rated and have 750 hours of which the more in a complex aircraft the better. If you think you are buying the Commander so you can get your IFR in it and save on rental...well my experience says you can rent a IFR capable plane cheaper than owning one. I love the COmmanders but they are like any plane in that there is constant annuals, inspections, repairs, recurring ADs, and more repairs.
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Thanks for the info and advice.

I have about 70 hours and got a quote that I can live with for insurance. Actually it was a lot less than I thought it would be ($1,395). That's about double what the Cessna was but I had zero hours when I got that policy.

I plan on getting my complex in whatever plane I buy, like I did with the C-150. I have a great instructor who was sad to see me go when I passed my checkride so I will be glad to give him some more work. Insurance is requiring me to get 10 hours with him.

At this time I really don't plan to get my IFR. I live in sunny Central Florida and if the weather is bad, well, there isn't anywhere I absolutely have to be. The main reason for moving up is more room, more baggage room and more room for whatever my wife wants to bring. She felt a little cramped in the Cessna and I think she will be all about a Commander. Besides, I think the Commander looks better than the C-150.




way better



Ron
 
Re: And ANOTHER new member!

Hi Ron,
I am in Winter Haven with my 114 for the winter, send me a PM and we can meet up over here. Easy transition to a Commander, I had 90 hours in a Warrior, and purchased my Commander 6 months after getting my PPL, 10 hours of training in my plane for insurance requirement, and received my complex / HP endorsement and I was good to go. Insurance was in the low 2K range with no complex rating, and now little under 2K with 100+ hours and no instrument ratting.



Mark
 
Re: And ANOTHER new member!

Welcome, Ron

Congrats on obtaining your PPL. Good luck on the hunt finding your Commander. I’m also new to COG and looking. Judi is a wealth of knowledge and as others have suggested, take the time to reach out to her.
 
Re: And ANOTHER new member!

Welcome Ron!
 
Re: And ANOTHER new member!

Well Ron I maybe heading your way end of March. If all works well I be taking jukelemon "James" down to Sebring pickup his plane after an engine change. Maybe we can meet and say hello.
 
Re: And ANOTHER new member!

Hi Ron,

Welcome.

Not all Commanders are the same. I am available to provide some insight from 15 years of fleet maintenance if you are interested.

Jim
 
Re: And ANOTHER new member!

BlackGTS said:
Thanks for the info and advice.


At this time I really don't plan to get my IFR. I live in sunny Central Florida and if the weather is bad, well, there isn't anywhere I absolutely have to be. The main reason for moving up is more room, more baggage room and more room for whatever my wife wants to bring. She felt a little cramped in the Cessna and I think she will be all about a Commander. Besides, I think the Commander looks better than the C-150.


Ron
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Ron - i suggest you get it anyway.
1) it will lower your insurance rates
2) it WILL be safer and make you a better pilot. Its all flying by the numbers


Sunny Florida : I just did a flight from Miami to Tampa this past Monday.
I departed at 0900 in MVFR conditions - below a 2500 foot cloud deck.
Soon that was 2000 foot - even though the call was for improving conditions.

1 call to ATC : 6MA request IFR climb to VFR on top.
Climbed and passed up to 3500 feet on top (cancel IFR) instead of finding myself at 1500 to be VFR legal.
After 15-20 miles i did a VFR descent to 2000 all VFR to land at Tampa international.


So sunny yes and you may never do hard IFR. But this is a common scenario. Instead of becoming a scud runner, its a quick non-event.

Good luck on your search.


ScreenShot20190227at13_33_01-vi.png
 
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Re: And ANOTHER new member!

Welcome to the group!
 
Re: And ANOTHER new member!

BlackGTS said:
I have about 70 hours and got a quote that I can live with for insurance. Actually it was a lot less than I thought it would be ($1,395). That's about double what the Cessna was but I had zero hours when I got that policy.
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Ron, welcome! I wish you the best in your search for a Commander. Lots of good advice here already, which I heartily agree with.

I'd have to think others here, in addition to me, would be curious about your insurance. The premium seems very reasonable considering your time & ratings. Would you be willing to share your carrier & agent info?
 
Re: And ANOTHER new member!

Charlie said:
Ron, welcome! I wish you the best in your search for a Commander. Lots of good advice here already, which I heartily agree with.

I'd have to think others here, in addition to me, would be curious about your insurance. The premium seems very reasonable considering your time & ratings. Would you be willing to share your carrier & agent info?
Click to expand...

You mean, lack of time and lack of ratings? LOL

Yes, I was surprised with the quote.



Ron
 
Re: And ANOTHER new member!

Ron, Sun & Fun in Lakeland is coming up. Being from FL I’d think you may already have it on the schedule, if not try to fit it in.
 
Re: And ANOTHER new member!

wiguy said:
Ron, Sun & Fun in Lakeland is coming up. Being from FL I’d think you may already have it on the schedule, if not try to fit it in.
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Oh yeah. I grew up in Lakeland with S&F and only live about 15 minutes away (by car). The only downside is that I now have a blueberry farm and S&F is smack dab in the middle of our harvest season. Only got to go for about 3 hours last year.


Ron
 
Welcome to the group Ron!! Good luck in finding your new bird
 
Welcome to the group Ron.
Anytime your over here I’ll give you a crack at KMS. Going to the races is a great way to start,,,'
 
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