Rockwell Commander and the Bellanca Viking both visually striking aircraft.

I lived on Rockwell Avenue as a kid, right down the street from Wiley Post, and we could see these brand new birds on the ramp...Good looking machines.

I got my instrument and commercial on this plane in Hawaii back in 1979... love the 112 and the 114

I was a part owner in one, few corrections: only prime for cold start, burns 13-14 gph in cruise, plan of 140 kts cruise, climb rate is only 500 fpm, more for a short time at 80-90 kts. Bird is heavy/solid but that helps a ton in the bumps. I bought it because it of the two doors and headroom. I'm 6'1" and fit fine. Have to watch #3 cylinder EGT as it's right next to the turbo and gets hot, other 3 cylinders are fine. They check the valves during annuals for warping, I'm told. Partners friend has a 114 and the 112TC climbs just about the same, 114 cruises a bit faster. Landing is easy, watch for a shimmy on the nose wheel, had to get new strut and stabilizer. We have oxygen so it would do fine at 15,000 feet, just a long climb. Great plane!

I clocked up nearly a hundred hours on a 112A. The owner had brought it to do his PPL on and realised it was far too complicated so I flew him around for a year whilst he did his training on a C152. He even let me borrow it for free on weekends when he didn't want to go anywhere. I'd got most of my flying on C172's and maybe 20 hours on a Cutlass RG so it was utter luxury but a bit of a handful at first but a joy to fly. The gear up with low RPM warning scared the crap out of me the first time it sounded (practice slow flight) but I never once forgot to lower the gear. All good things come to an end. He got his licence and I never saw him or it again.

Thank you for sharing. Love this plane. In the 90(s) I used to rent a brand new Commander 114b. Not fast but very comfortable and well equipped.

I've always loved the RC's from a distance, thanks all for sharing 👍✌️😊💜

Standard fare. That is informative, brief and a great way to learn fast about an airplane of interest. TY -- good job.

Very handsome aircraft, got a flight in a 114, basically same airframe but with a 540 lyc.

We had a 114B (GBIFD) in the late 80's. After we sold it it crashed on take off with exactly the problem you described with the fuel selector being left on. Love your videos!

I’ve been considering this aircraft a lot lately.

I always learn something new here , very cool 😎

Very cool thanks Mark!

Love-Love-Love the Commander and I’m also a fellow South Carolinian! Been waiting for this video and happy it’s here! (Hilton Head Island, SC and the reason for the “lc” in “lowcountry private pilot” handle)

Great presentation as usual

Great video Mark!

Looking good!

Absolutely gorgeous airplane. I looked up a 3-view- the wing is even cooler, with a forward-swept trailing edge.

The two doors, trailing link gear and super wide cabin make this a great plane. If it was only about 10kts faster it would have it all!

Another great and informative video from Mark. Great job. I wish this video was a little longer and gave more details about this iconic and wonderful airplane. The Rockwell Commander series are kinda like Deloreans. They look futuristic and ahead of their time but unfortunately they were a bit underpowered. I really considered buying one but opted for a Mooney 201 and I’m glad I did. You can’t beat the speed and fuel burn in a 201… 163 knots TAS at 11.4 GPH.

Love the intro music 🤣🤣

Too bad you weren't able to go around the pattern with this one.. Best intro yet though.. Looking forwardto seeing a Skymaster at some point. I look forward to your next instalment .

There are not a lot of piston singles that where you could stand under the horizontal stab not having a "T" tail. This airplane is larger and stands a bit taller than I imagined from photos. Yes, I can see it's a cruciform tail, but still.

I always thought the Commander was a fine looking aircraft! Not as sexy as an Aerostar, but it’s up there. Yes, I said sexy. I’m an old man and my tastes have changed. Lol

The RC is a fantastic plane.

Beautiful aircraft, my big concern is parts and support.

What is the cruise speed

Couldn't wait for this video to come out! Now I can't wait for the Bonanza comparison. That is a great video idea, but there's not a well executed video on KZfaq. I know you will not get out of the park!

Beautiful airplanes! Kind of a stark difference between the super-beefy main gear and the nose gear tho!

G,day Mark from Sydney Australia. Over and above the spar ADs you want periodic service and inspection of the nose landing gear. 🌏🇭🇲

I do like the 112 and 114 but my favourite is the the TB 21 GT by Socata which incidentally has the largest cabin in its class by far, with more room than the 112 and 114, in my view the later model Trinidad is the best cross country single bar none!.

Nice intro music.

You've mentioned that the 112TC isn't fast. But how fast is it?

Why isn’t this plane fast? You were talking about it being slower than Rockwell hoped, but didn’t finish the thought.

IO-390 TN with 3 blade MT scimitar would be nice for this bird with the drag reduction speed mods. See Carl. Problem is don't expect the Chinese shoe saleswoman who owns the TC and PC to support the airplane anymore. She was likely sent by the CCP to protect their market when they bought Cirrus. I remain forever pissed that the stupid BK court in Houston let a Chinese national buy the assets.

A great selling point is the Rockwell Commander Shrike and Bob Hoover, in addition to other twin Aero Commanders in this family heritage of well-built aircraft. Mentioning the Space Shuttle is too far removed from reality in general aviation.

I flown a 112 nice plane .

THIS VIDEO IS 2 MONTHS OLD. IS THIS PLANE STILL FOR SALE?

Knew nothing of this plane, now I want to buy one. :^) I agree, she is one good looking aircraft. I take it she is just not as slippery as she looks - to explain why she's not that fast. Any specs on useful load and range?

Flew a Bonanza for many Years.......At only a gallon an hour more fuel it was near 30 knots faster......Paul

10:40 State of the art KR 85!

👍

Nice plane in its day. It's not fast. It the kind of plane you buy for your wife because it reminds here of her station wagon ( today's SUV).

Mr. Mark. I love your channel. I love your attention to detail. I love your charisma and passion. But you were not yourself with this guest. I also happen to also love Rockwell planes and I think it deserves a proper review. I hope you'll be able to find another plane. Regardless, i look forward to your next one.

Piper Turbo Arrow is a better buy, and might have a lower insurance rate.

Mark the need jam into music is alsum

Am told spares are a problem for these, is that right?

What is the cost of that commander I am looking to buy one.

Why no roll on take off? Bob Hoover made it seem like anyone could do it in that plane

Ad,s ?

Hmmm

Would take a wood/fabric Bellanca before this.......Three times the climb rate......Much faster......Paul

The Turbo Models are faster

Sorry to say, but that opening scene showed piss poor airmanship. When he pulls out of the parking spot and turns, his propwash is blasting gravel and small rocks off the ground into all the aircraft behind him. A good (polite) airman would have pulled the aircraft onto the taxiway and then started the engine to avoid blasting the aircraft behind his.

Since you're NOT knowledgeable about the plane , WHY don't YOU , ask your expert guest a question , and LET HIM fully answer each question ? Instead , of stumbling around and exposing your Ignorance !

I’d really like some real world performance numbers for the 112a, 112TC and 114.