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Aviation History
1957
1957 - 1496.PDF
586 FLIGHT, 11 October 1957 Business and Touring Aircraft . . UNITED STATES Aero Commander First certificated in January1952, the Aero Commander has become firmly established as a business aircraft in the U.S.A.and many other countries. The two current production versions are the Model 560E andModel 680 Super. Since June of this year the 560E has suc- ceeded the 5 60A as the standard unsuper-charged Commander. It differs from all pre- vious versions in having an additional 29 incheson each wing-tip, and the resulting increase in lifting ability confers upon it a greater rangethan that of any other light twin in the U.S.A. Moreover, it is cheaper than the HC 560A,i.e., the 5 60 A fitted with high-compression engines similar to those of the 560E. Like all Commanders the 560E has a cabin127.5in long, 52in wide and 53in high. The Aero Commander 680 Super (two Lycomma GSO-480-A1A6). (Below, left) Interior of a typically furnished Commander 560. available space totals 177 cu ft, into whichare normally fitted two adjustable and reclining seats for two pilots and a bench for three atthe rear. In addition, a baggage compartment is provided with a volumetric capacity of32 cu ft and a weight limit of 350 lb. Special interiors can be provided for up to seven per-sons, or for smaller numbers together with folding tables or wall couches, or, alternative!',,the whole interior can be stripped for freight carrying. In the latter connection it is relevantto note that the door (43in by 26in) is only 20in from the ground. The high-compression Lycoming flat-sixengines, each rated at 295 h.p., drive Hartzell three-blade constant-speed feathering andreversing propellers. Fuel is housed in flexible cells in the wing and top of the fuselage, witha total usable capacity of 185,7 Imp. gal— 56 gal more than earlier Commanders. Thissubstantial capacity makes it possible for the 560E to fly 1,625 miles with a 30-minutereserve, cruising at 10,000ft at 55 per cent power (182 m.pJi.). Other mechanical featuresinclude semi-slotted flaps with hydraulic actua- tion, "augmenter tube" exhaust stacks and ahydraulically retracted nosewheel undercarriage with three-piston single-disc brakes. The Model 680 Super differs from all pre-vious Commanders in having supercharged Lycoming GSO-480-A1A6 engines, each ratedat 340 h.p. While retaining the original 44ft- span wing, the Super has the same fuel and oilsystems as the 560E, and so has comparable range (about 1,489 miles at 10>°°0ft at 55 percent power, in this case giving an airspeed of about 205 m.p.h.). All Commanders are marketed with any ofsix groups of radio and navigation equipment, costing from $10,250 to $42,500. Most costlyequipment includes the Collins 360-channel V.H.F., plus dual navigation equipment and aCollins Integrated Flight System. Other items which can readily be fitted include the LearL-2 autopilot, with altitude control and approach coupler, together with Narco D.M.E.and Goodrich de-icing equipment on the wings, tail and propeller blades. Anotheroptional extra is a hassock chair which can be folded out to form a bed and contains an ice-box or a chemical toilet. A number of Com- manders have recently been fitted with weatherradar, usually the R.C.A. AVQ-50. Total production to date is well in excess of600, and the rate of delivery is greater than one aircraft per working day. We published areport of an air test of an earlier Commander (a series 5 60A) on December 24, 1954. Aero Design and Engineering Co., Bethany,Oklahoma. Beech -^ -' '•' -;"" •-••' :"•' - '••'- ''-•- • Bonanza The current production version ofthis world-wide favourite is the Beechcraft Model H 35, powered by an up-rated Con-tinental flat-six engine of 240 h.p. Since pro- Beech Model 95 Travel Air (two Lycoming O-360-A1A). (Below) Beech Model 35 Bonanza (Continental O-470-G).
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