The Aero Commander is a light twin-engined aircraft originally built by Aero Design and Engineering Company in the late 1940's. It later became part of Rockwell International. The initial production version was the Aero Commander 520. Versions manufactured after 1967 are known as the Shrike Commander. ^[1] Image File history File links Aero_Commander. ... An aerospace manufacturer is a company or individual involved in the various aspects of designing, building, testing, selling, and maintaining aircraft, aircraft parts, missiles, rockets, and/or spacecraft. ... The Aero Design and Engineering Company was formed in Oklahoma in 1950 as the successor to Aero. ... The Maiden flight of an aircraft is the first occasion on which an aircraft leaves the ground of its own accord. ... April 23 is the 113th day of the year (114th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This is a list of aviation-related events from 1948: Events January January 17 - BOAC begins to replace flying boat routes with the Lockheed Constellation March the Israeli Air Force is formed, with the new state of Israel March 10 - VF-5 becomes the first US Navy carrier squadron to... The United States Air Force (USAF) is the aerial warfare branch of the United States armed forces and one of the seven uniformed services. ... The United States Army is the largest branch of the armed forces of the United States. ... USCG HH-65 Dolphin USCG HH-60J JayHawk The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is a branch of the United States armed forces and is involved in maritime law enforcement, mariner assistance, search and rescue, and national defense. ... Mexican Air Force roundel. ... The Aero Design and Engineering Company was formed in Oklahoma in 1950 as the successor to Aero. ... Rockwell International was the ultimate incarnation of a series of companies under the sphere of influence of Willard Rockwell, who had made his fortune after the invention and successful launch of a new bearing system for truck axles in 1919. ... This is a list of aviation-related events from Canadian Golden Centennaires aerobatic team is formed and performs all year to celebrate the Canadian centennial year. ...

Design and development

The idea for the type was conceived by two Douglas Aircraft Company workers, who went on to form the Aero Design and Engineering Company in 1944. The company's CEO was Rufus Travis Amis. The Douglas Aircraft Company was founded by Donald Wills Douglas, Sr. ... The Aero Design and Engineering Company was formed in Oklahoma in 1950 as the successor to Aero. ... This is a list of aviation-related events from 1944: Events January January 11 - in one of the largest air raids to date, 570 USAAF bombers strike Brunswick, Halberstadt, and Oschersleben. ... Rufus Amis (February 13, 1912 - January 12, 2007) was an American entrepreneur who co-founded and served as CEO of, Aero Design and Engineering Company[1], which built one of the first twin engine planes for private use in the USA, the Aero Commander. ...

The company's first prototype flew on April 23, 1948. That aircraft was named the Aero Commander Model L3085. The aircraft accommodated up to five people and was powered by two piston engines.^[1] April 23 is the 113th day of the year (114th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1948 (MCMXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1948 calendar). ...

Operational history

In military service, it was initially designated the L-26 though in 1962 this was changed to U-4 for the USAF and U-9 for the US Army. This is a list of aviation-related events from 1962: Events January US Army CH-21 Shawnees are dispatched to Vietnam, the first US military aircraft to be deployed there January 10-11 - a B-52 Stratofortress is flown from Okinawa to Madrid, establishing a new distance record of 12... Seal of the Air Force. ... The United States Army is the largest branch of the armed forces of the United States. ...

One U-4B became a presidential transport aircraft for Dwight Eisenhower between 1956 and 1960. This was the smallest "Air Force One", and the first to wear the now-familiar blue-and-white livery. Dwight David Ike Eisenhower (October 14, 1890–March 28, 1969), American soldier and politician, was the 34th President of the United States (1953–1961) and supreme commander of the Allied forces in Europe during World War II, with the rank of General of the Army. ... This is a list of aviation-related events from 1956: Events March March 10 - Lt Cdr Peter Twiss sets a new airspeed record in the Fairey Delta FD.2, also becoming the first person to exceed 1,000 mph. ... This is a list of aviation-related events from 1960: Events January January 1 - Fiji Airways is reconstituted, becoming equally owned by BOAC, QANTAS, and Tasman Empire Airways. ... For other uses, see Air Force One (disambiguation). ...

As of 2004, Shrike Commanders still remain in service with the United States Coast Guard and United States Customs Service.^[1] 2004 is a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... USCG HH-65 Dolphin USCG HH-60J JayHawk The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is a branch of the United States armed forces and is involved in maritime law enforcement, mariner assistance, search and rescue, and national defense. ... The United States Customs Service (now part of U.S. Customs and Border Protection or CBP) was the portion of the US Federal Government dedicated to keeping illegal products outside of US borders. ...

Safety Record

Beginning in June 1991, senior engineers met with FAA officials to discuss concerns over the Aero Commander's main wing spar, which was believed to be suspectible to stress fatigue and subsequent cracking, and was believed to have resulted in a number of fatal crashes.^[2] This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the 1991 Gregorian calendar). ...

World War II hero and actor Audie Murphy died in his Aero Commander 680 while flying in a thunderstorm over Roanoke, VA on May 28, 1971. Five others and the pilot were also killed. The cause of this crash is most likely related to the thunderstorm and not to any design defect of the aircraft itself.^[3] Also see: Audie Murphy legacy. ... The Colony of Roanoke was the first English colony in the New World, founded at Roanoke Island. ... May 28 is the 148th day of the year (149th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. ...

One proof of the strength of the Shrike's design is that Bob Hoover flew an aerobatic act for nearly three decades in the Shrike, with his only accident being as a result of his plane accidentally being loaded with jet fuel, leading to engine failure on take-off. R. A. Bob Hoover (born c. ...

On 1 August, 2007, an Aero Commander 500 crashed shortly after takeoff near Melbourne, Australia, killing the pilot and her passenger. Investigators believe the plane was almost vertical when it speared into the ground.^[4] Melbourne (pronounced ) is the second most populous city in Australia, with a metropolitan area population of approximately 3. ...

Variants

Aero Commander L.3805

Prototype.

Aero Commander 520

First production version, 150 built.

Aero Commander 560

More powerful engines and refined wing, 80 built.

Aero Commander 560A

New undercarriage, stretched fuselage and other numerous refinements, 99 built.

Aero Commander 560E

Larger wings and greater payload, 93 built.

Aero Commander 360

Lightened version of the 560E.

Aero Commander 500

Economy version introduced in 1958

Aero Commander 500A

First Aero Commander model - new nacelles to house fuel-injected engines, 99 built.

Aero Commander 500B

Similar to 500A with more powerful engines, 217 built.

Aero Commander 500U/Shrike Commander

Refined 500A with increased capacity, 56 built.

Aero Commander 680 Super

Development of 560A with supercharged engines, 254 built.

Aero Commander 680E

Lightened 560E, 100 built.

Aero Commander 680F

Improved aerodynamics and new nacelles, 126 built.

Aero Commander 680PF

Pressurized version modified from 680E, 26 built.

Aero Commander 680FL Grand Commander

Version with stretched fuselage and larger tail, 157 built. After 1967 known as the Courser Commander.

Aero Commander 680FL/P Grand Commander

Pressurized version of 680FL, 37 built.

Aero Commander 680T Turbo Commander

Version powered by Garrett TPE331-43 turboprop engines, 56 built.

Aero Commander 680V Turbo Commander

Slightly improved cargo capacity.

Aero Commander 680W Turbo II Commander

Version with larger windows and weather radar, 46 built.

Rockwell 681 Hawk Commander

Rockwell 685 Commander

Aero Commander 720 AltiCruiser

Pressurized version of 680E, 13 built.

YL-26 → YU-9A

Aero Commander 520 evaluated by the US Army, 3 built.

YL-26A

Aero Commander 560 evaluated by the US Air Force, 1 built.

L-26B → U-4A

Aero Commander 560A sold to the US Air Force, 14 built.

L-26B → U-9B

Aero Commander 560A sold to the US Army, 1 built.

L-26C → U-4B

Aero Commander 680 Super sold to the US Air Force, 2 built.

L-26C → U-6C

Aero Commander 680 Super sold to the US Army, 4 built.

RL-26D → RU-9D

Two US Army aircraft were fitted with SLAR (side looking airborne radar).

NL-9D → NU-9D

One aircraft only.

This is a list of aviation-related events from 1958: Events Gulfstream Aerospace founded in Savannah, Georgia, USA. London Gatwick Airport opens after two years of extensive reconstruction. ... Aero Commander was an aircraft manufacturer, a subsidiary of Rockwell International formed in October 1960 when that company purchased the Aero Design and Engineering Company of Oklahoma. ... TPE-331 Engine This is a Gas Turbine Turboprop Engine originally designed by AiRsearch and now produced by Honeywell. ... A schematic diagram showing the operation of a turboprop engine. ...

Operators

Military operators

 Iran

• Islamic Republic of Iran Navy

 South Vietnam

• Vietnam Air Force

 United States

• United States Air Force
• United States Army
• United States Coast Guard

 Mexico

• Mexican Air Force
• Mexican Navy

 Thailand

• Royal Thai Air Force
• Royal Thai Army

Image File history File links Flag_of_Iran. ... One of Irans 6 Kilo class submarines The Iranian Navy has traditionally been the smallest branch of Irans armed forces and is designed solely for securing its own ports and coast, with little in the way of striking power. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_South_Vietnam. ... Anthem Thanh niên Hành Khúc (Call to the Citizens) Capital Saigon Language(s) Vietnamese Government Republic Last President¹ Duong Van Minh Last Prime minister Vu Van Mau Historical era Cold War  - Regime change June 14, 1955  - Dissolution April 30, 1975 Area  - 1973 173,809 km² 67,108... 4400th CCTS T-28 wearing South Vietnamese markings flies over Vietnam. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The United States Air Force (USAF) is the aerial warfare branch of the United States armed forces and one of the seven uniformed services. ... The United States Army is the largest branch of the armed forces of the United States. ... USCG HH-65 Dolphin USCG HH-60J JayHawk The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is a branch of the United States armed forces and is involved in maritime law enforcement, mariner assistance, search and rescue, and national defense. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Mexico. ... Mexican Air Force roundel. ... The Mexican Navy (official name Secretaría de Marina or SEMAR) is a branch of the Mexican Military responsible for conducting naval operations. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Thailand. ... The Royal Thai Air Force (Thai: กองทัพอากาศไทย, Kong Thab Akat Thai) is the air force of the Kingdom of Thailand. ... Royal Thai army soldier with an M16A2 rifle during maneuvers in 2000 The Royal Thai Army is the army of Thailand. ...

Civil operators

 United States

• United States Customs Service

Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The United States Customs Service (now part of U.S. Customs and Border Protection or CBP) was the portion of the US Federal Government dedicated to keeping illegal products outside of US borders. ...

Specifications (Rockwell Aero Commander 500S)

General characteristics

• Crew: one, pilot
• Capacity: five passengers
• Length: 36 ft 10 in (11.22 m)
• Wingspan: 49 ft 1 in (14.95 m)
• Height: 15 ft (4.56 m)
• Wing area: 255 ft² (23.7 m²)
• Empty weight: 4,635 lb (2,102 kg)
• Useful load: 2,115 lb (961 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 6,750 lb (3,060 kg)
• Powerplant: 2× Lycoming IO-540-E1B5 , 290 hp (214 kW) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 216 mph (346 km/h)
• Cruise speed: 195 mph (312 km/h)
• Range: 1,197 miles (1,915 km)
• Service ceiling: 19,400 ft (5,915 m)
• Rate of climb: 1,340 ft/min (409 m/min)

The distance AB is the wing span of this Aer Lingus Airbus A320. ... In aviation, the Maximum Take-Off Weight (or MTOW) is the maximum weight with which an aircraft is allowed to try to achieve flight. ... A six-cylinder, horizontally opposed direct drive engine of 540 cubic inch displacement. ... VNO of an aircraft is the V speed which refers to the velocity of normal operation. ... Airspeed Indicator in a light aircraft The VC of an aircraft is the V speed which refers to the velocity of cruising. ... The maximal total range is the distance an aircraft can fly between takeoff and landing as limited by its fuel capacity. ... In aeronautics, the service ceiling is the maximum density altitude where the best rate of climb airspeed will produce a 100 feet per minute climb(twin engine) and 50 feet(single engine) at maximum weight while in a clean configuration with maximum continuous power. ... This page is a candidate to be moved to Wiktionary. ...

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Rockwell U-9A Aero Commander. March Field Air Museum. Retrieved on 2007-08-01.
2. ^ THE AERO COMMANDER CHRONICLE. Civil Aviation Safety Authority (1995-05-01). Retrieved on 2007-08-01.
3. ^ Biography for Audie Murphy. IMDb (2007-08-01). Retrieved on 2007-08-01.
4. ^ Plane speared into ground. The Age (2007-08-01). Retrieved on 2007-08-01.

The March Field Air Museum is an air museum in Riverside, California, adjacent to March Air Reserve Base. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 213th day of the year (214th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is in need of attention. ... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full 1995 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 121st day of the year (122nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 213th day of the year (214th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Internet Movie Database (IMDb) [1] is an online database of information about actors, movies, television shows, television stars and video games. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 213th day of the year (214th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 213th day of the year (214th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 213th day of the year (214th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 213th day of the year (214th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

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