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Larry G

New member
Hello All, and thanks to everyone for hosting a great site like COG. Ive read some very good reviews and commentaries about this site. I live in Rockwall Texas and I'm looking to buy my first airplane. I'm hoping to find a good Commander 112 or maybe a 114. I'm a 4K hour retired USAF pilot. I started my flying days in the mid 80s flying Pipers...Cherokees, Warriors, Archers, Arrows and occasionally a Cessna (152/172). In the AF I flew C-130s and the T44 along with a tour in Predator (MQ-1). I retired in 2008 and just now starting to get back into flying except this time its purely for fun...no work involved! I tell you all of this because I'm actively looking for a plane and can use all of the help I can get.

Ive been researching for several months as to what aircraft would suit my intended mission and budget which is...

1. Mostly short haul local flying with the occasional cross-country.
2. Typically 1-2 people on board and the rare 3-4 person trip.
3. Want a roomy/comfortable cabin
4. Left and right side cabin doors definitely preferred
5. Reasonable cruising speed which I define as ~130 kts
6. 3-5 hours of endurance
7. Budget is $100K for everything...pre-buy inspection, purchase plus whatever else is need...upgrades, fixes, paint, interior, etc. I will also want to have a few bucks left over to cover unforeseen issues over the next year or so.

Ive looked across the field of possible candidates and found 2 that closely match my requirements...the Beech Sierra and the Commander 112. Both have 200hp engines, constant speed prop and retractable gear. They have nearly identical performance specs. There are very few Beech Sierras on the market but there is a reasonable number of Commander 112s to consider. I would also consider the 114 but again, there are very few on the market.

So, with that long intro that I hope didn't bore you, I would love to hear the thoughts of some of you highly experienced Commander drivers.

Thanks
Larry G
 
Larry,

You have come to the right place to discuss. Using the search function you should find several threads on this very topic. Fly the Rockies much? If so, finding a 112HS (hot shot) might be a nice option. Will check most of your boxes except for the 4 adult pax and still have 3-5 hours endurance. 3 adults that are not super-sized will cut your endurance with reserves down into the 2.5-3.0 hour range. All the other boxes work. Highly recommend you check in with Judi Anderson as she specializes in AC11s and has files on many if not most of the airframes. She will be able to steer you clear of ramp rats and those with hidden “baggage” (like the “pristine Commander for sale” that sat in hurricane sea water for a week+ before cleanup and the marketing material was mysteriously silent on that little detail.)

You might also touch base with COG member Gary Mascelli who was a dedicated Beech driver and just came over to the Commander side. He may be able to offer you some of the pros and cons between your choices.

A potential Rockwell in Rockwall... Sounds like a good match.
 
Thanks Bill, I made contact with Judi. And I forgot to add number 8 to my list above...And I need a good looking aircraft! The commander certainly beats out the others in that category!!!
 
Larry,

Welcome to the Commander Owner Group!

Good luck on your search, Judi will be the one to provide excellent recon on many aircraft. You have the plan correct, figure out the mission and move forward from there. Our mission was 98% just my bride and I, so the 112A worked for us. Following in my Beech footsteps I looked long and hard at Sierras, having owned a Sundowner and Debonair. However, the Commander looks, trailing link gear and seating position (like sitting in an SUV) is what won me over. Also my bride wanted to go back to two doors, it was pretty much her only demand. ;)
 
Hello Gary and thanks for the insight. Your thoughts are pretty much the same conclusion I have come to as well. Ive concluded that if the wife isn't comfortable then a higher performance engine wont really matter...
 
Welcome Larry. Your features list was very similar to mine and I also briefly consider the Sierra. Bill's suggestions are spot on and you should be able to locate a very nice 112 with your budget. Good luck with your search.
 
Just like other type aircraft, the Commander is no exception to the rule of huge price variability between type. It’s kind of funny because when new they all sticker priced pretty similarly for same models. The difference was due to minor options. Now used, there are drastic differences in price for same models owing to all sorts of factors in various categories. Weighing these differences versus price is not an easy job. Plus there aren’t a lot of ‘’Manders on the market now to make things harder. General aircraft prices have started up lately. My opinion. This forum is probably your best resource. Good luck!
 
Hi Larry,

I used to own a half share in a Sierra B model. It was a great plane and I was looking for one when I discovered the Commander. No looking back now.

The Sierra parts were Beechcraft prices and very high and hard to get. The main reason I went with the Commander was the owners group and the great support.

Life is a barrel of fun.

Ken
 
Welcome Larry,

Checkout the COG Fly-in on the calendar for this Sept. You'll need to swing by - hopefully in an AC11.

Lot's of folks resemble your Bio . . You'll fit right in.

I've owned a 114 for 8 + years now and can't imagine life without it. At times I'm a bit envious of our 112 drivers per their fuel mileage then other rare occasions I'll dream of the Super 580 Commander. Reality soon returns and I have to give thanks for what I have and drive on at 155TAS @ 12.2 per hr of which I can live with.

I'm a big guy with big friends, the 114 handles the payload with ease not to speak of the comfort effect (no shoulder to shoulder) or staggering seats to fit in. Now if want to throw the significant other's and their baggage in then we start looking a dropping fuel. Most of my flights are wife and I on grandbaby runs with an occasional puppy rescue thrown in.

With your background insurance should be very reasonable and the routine maintenance is not bad either. Do your homework on our very few AD's and - Best of luck with your search . . .

I'm currently doing a contractor gig with the Army and answering MQ-1C maintenance questions as we speak . . . Thanks for your service!!
 
Jamesdub said:
Welcome Larry,

Checkout the COG Fly-in on the calendar for this Sept. You'll need to swing by - hopefully in an AC11.

Lot's of folks resemble your Bio . . You'll fit right in.

I've owned a 114 for 8 + years now and can't imagine life without it. At times I'm a bit envious of our 112 drivers per their fuel mileage then other rare occasions
Click to expand...

I am envious of the 112 drivers fuel mileage too, but bought Commander 114 and get the same low fuel burn like them too and just pull the throttle back in cruise, and get the best of both worlds.
 
Larry My 77 114 is a great 2-3 person bird for passengers 165-230# each. Two are 6’6” and the 3rd is 5’10”. My bird is based in Bryan, Tx so if you want to check it out let me know. Dan Dawson 4944W
 
Larry, I am in Gladewater 07F which is about 120 east of Dallas off of I-20. I went from the Sundowner (fixed gear version of the Sierra) to my 1995 114B and have never regretted it. I knew Gary Mascelli from the Beech type club and we both moved into Commanders from the Beech C23 / B23 type. I think that the 112 / 114 is a great air frame. I believe you will really like it once you fly it.

thanks for your service. Let me know if you are in ET and I will be glad to take you up in my 114B (or I think I can get you a ride in a 112 that is based nearby).
 
Thanks Stephen and TxAgDoc. I greatly appreciate the offers and will certainly like to take a ride with you. If I play my cards right maybe I can get my 10 hours required by insurance even before I buy a plane...haha. Today, Bob Hogue is going to let me take a look at his 112 in Tyler. Maybe I can weasel a ride at of him as well!
 
I stumbled onto to this thread and the anticipation is killing me. Did Larry ever buy a Commander?
 
My first ride in a Commander was with Stephen Shore. My next Commander ride was with Carl Lee. I’m very thankful to these East Texas guys that I am lucky to now call friends. Because of them, others on this forum and Judi, I am now the proud owner of N1432J. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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