New member/ future owner

[RDL Joe]

Hello,

I’m soon to be retiring and I’m looking to keep flying. I was researching various aircraft, especially Mooneys and Cherokees, but I came across the Commander type and it looks ideal for my needs, and I think they look cool too. I came across this site and you all seem to be a great group of folks.

I live in northern CA near Lakeport, (Lampson Field), and I would use the plane to travel around California for family visits, $300 hamburgers, and few trips a year to Tahoe during ski season. That would probably the most challenging mission due to Truckee and S. Lake Tahoe being at around 6000’, with the Sierras all around. A buddy who takes a Bonanza up there a lot says I should use a plane with at least 280 HP to carry three of us and some gear. I’m thinking that a 114 would be close enough, a TC or hot shot even better. Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.

Also, I have never been in a Commander so, if possible, I’d like to find one around here to look at, or even get a ride in. I would buy the gas and lunch, maybe an adult beverage (after the flight of course!).

Thanks for your time reading this. I’m looking forward to getting back into the general aviation world.

Joe

 

[Commander91gm]

Welcome to the group.
Nothing like turbocharging for higher altitude airport.
My second home is at an elevation of 6,500' and the airport I fly into is 6,412.
I think you are heading in the right direction with either the hotshot or the TC.
The TCA has a little higher useful load.
As I am sure you have seen in other posts Judi (janderson) is the person to talk to.
She has files and a wealth of information on most of the fleet.

 

[Commander91gm]

By the way I just noticed that you're in the public side of the forum and haven't joined as a member yet. There's a plethora of stuff that you're not seeing if you're just on the public side of the website. Probably 90% or more of the good stuff is on the member side. If you're serious about a commander it would be in your best interest to sign up and see everything else that's available. It's a pretty small investment.

 

[Codeeno]

Joe,

Welcome to the site. There’s a lot of people with good info. I joined about 11 or 12 years ago to help learn about the Commanders and was a great investment.

I’m in Denver and we’re about 5500’. On a hot day in the summer a 114 uses a lot of runway. So if your looking to operate a lot at similar airport elevations a TC or Hot Shot would be good. I had my 114 to Napa a few years back. Was great to get sea level performance, was like a whole different plane.

Fun times are ahead for you.

Dean

 

[alacrazie]

Hi Joe,

I was actually in almost the exact same position as you a couple months ago. I was looking heavily at Bonanza F33As and Mooneys before ultimately deciding on a Commander 114, and honestly I couldn’t be happier with the decision.

Since buying mine, I’ve flown almost 150 hours in the past two months. I’m based out of Utah and regularly do high elevation mountain flying. I’ve taken the Commander into Lake Tahoe, Telluride, Steamboat, and other higher elevation airports without issue.

A ton of people told me I’d regret not getting a turbocharged aircraft, but for the amount I fly, the added maintenance cost and complexity just didn’t feel justifiable. So far, I have zero regrets with the normally aspirated 114.

I’ve flown into Tahoe with passengers and baggage (while obviously doing proper W&B and performance calculations), and honestly, I haven’t been disappointed with the climb performance. My home airport (KBTF) is at about 4,300’ elevation as well. It’ll be interesting to see how it does as summer temps rise, but so far so good.

I know my opinion probably differs from the majority, since a lot of people strongly push turbos for western mountain flying, but for my mission the 114 has exceeded expectations. Plus, in my opinion, they look way cooler than Bonanzas haha.

Definitely try to get a ride in one if you can, I think once you fly one, you’ll understand why people love them.

Annika

 

[CN427G]

Hello,

I’m soon to be retiring and I’m looking to keep flying. I was researching various aircraft, especially Mooneys and Cherokees, but I came across the Commander type and it looks ideal for my needs, and I think they look cool too. I came across this site and you all seem to be a great group of folks.

I live in northern CA near Lakeport, (Lampson Field), and I would use the plane to travel around California for family visits, $300 hamburgers, and few trips a year to Tahoe during ski season. That would probably the most challenging mission due to Truckee and S. Lake Tahoe being at around 6000’, with the Sierras all around. A buddy who takes a Bonanza up there a lot says I should use a plane with at least 280 HP to carry three of us and some gear. I’m thinking that a 114 would be close enough, a TC or hot shot even better. Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.

Also, I have never been in a Commander so, if possible, I’d like to find one around here to look at, or even get a ride in. I would buy the gas and lunch, maybe an adult beverage (after the flight of course!).

Thanks for your time reading this. I’m looking forward to getting back into the general aviation world.

Joe

Hi Joe and welcome to the group
I have a 1977 114 Super commander with the IO580 and absolutely love it. Home base is in Stockton and I am familiar with Lampson field.
you guys had a great restaurant at one time not sure if it has reopened.

Michael

 

[RDL Joe]

By the way I just noticed that you're in the public side of the forum and haven't joined as a member yet. There's a plethora of stuff that you're not seeing if you're just on the public side of the website. Probably 90% or more of the good stuff is on the member side. If you're serious about a commander it would be in your best interest to sign up and see everything else that's available. It's a pretty small investment.

Thank you Joel, I appreciate the insight. I have since joined and I’ll be sure to contact Judi.

 

[RDL Joe]

Hi Joe and welcome to the group
I have a 1977 114 Super commander with the IO580 and absolutely love it. Home base is in Stockton and I am familiar with Lampson field.
you guys had a great restaurant at one time not sure if it has reopened.

Michael

Hi Michael,
Thanks for the reply. We went to that restaurant often, it was fun to sit on the deck watching airplanes and helicopters come and go. There’s a new owner working on it but the building is not new and apparently has a few problems. Hopefully it will be open this summer.
Joe

 

[RDL Joe]

Hi Joe,

I was actually in almost the exact same position as you a couple months ago. I was looking heavily at Bonanza F33As and Mooneys before ultimately deciding on a Commander 114, and honestly I couldn’t be happier with the decision.

Since buying mine, I’ve flown almost 150 hours in the past two months. I’m based out of Utah and regularly do high elevation mountain flying. I’ve taken the Commander into Lake Tahoe, Telluride, Steamboat, and other higher elevation airports without issue.

A ton of people told me I’d regret not getting a turbocharged aircraft, but for the amount I fly, the added maintenance cost and complexity just didn’t feel justifiable. So far, I have zero regrets with the normally aspirated 114.

I’ve flown into Tahoe with passengers and baggage (while obviously doing proper W&B and performance calculations), and honestly, I haven’t been disappointed with the climb performance. My home airport (KBTF) is at about 4,300’ elevation as well. It’ll be interesting to see how it does as summer temps rise, but so far so good.

I know my opinion probably differs from the majority, since a lot of people strongly push turbos for western mountain flying, but for my mission the 114 has exceeded expectations. Plus, in my opinion, they look way cooler than Bonanzas haha.

Definitely try to get a ride in one if you can, I think once you fly one, you’ll understand why people love them.

Annika

Hi Annika,

Thanks for the great response. Since I wasn’t planning on going up to Tahoe a lot and most of my destinations will be near sea level, it’s nice to know that non-turbo is an acceptable option.

Joe

 

[RDL Joe]

Joe,

Welcome to the site. There’s a lot of people with good info. I joined about 11 or 12 years ago to help learn about the Commanders and was a great investment.

I’m in Denver and we’re about 5500’. On a hot day in the summer a 114 uses a lot of runway. So if your looking to operate a lot at similar airport elevations a TC or Hot Shot would be good. I had my 114 to Napa a few years back. Was great to get sea level performance, was like a whole different plane.

Fun times are ahead for you.

Dean

Hi Dean. I’m looking forward to the fun times. Thanks for your insight!

Joe

 

[gmores]

Welcome Joe. I think you are on the right track with your ownership thoughts. Hopefully you can attend this fall's national fly-in in Branson (KPLK).