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New Power to the Commander

Super Commander
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The "Super Commander" conversion is an FAA-approved Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) by Aerodyme Corporation, replacing the Lycoming IO-540 engine in Commander 114/115 aircraft with a more powerful 320 hp Lycoming IO-580.
  • This upgrade dramatically improves the Commander's historically criticized slow performance, boosting cruise speeds to over 170 knots true and achieving initial climb rates exceeding 1,500 fpm.
  • Despite a significant cost (around $92,000), the conversion transforms the nearly 40-year-old design, making it competitive with the latest new models and offering a compelling option for existing Commander owners.
See a mistake? Contact us.

We were headed back toward Austin’s Class Charlie airspace from our demo flight out to the west in a Commander 115, though it wasn’t just any Commander 115. At the time it was the only one like it in the world. The frequency was pretty quiet. We were at 5,500 feet, about 25 miles out when one of the Austin Approach controllers gave us a call, “N115CE, say type of aircraft.” “N115CE is a Commander 115.”

“Uh, roger, is that a single-engine or a twin-engine aircraft?”

FLYING Staff

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