Commander 115?

J

Jetter2

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Jetter2
I am all but sold on getting a Cardinal RG - but I keep peeking around to see what else is out there.

I would LOVE to get into a Mirage, but the costs of ownership sky rocket with that thing. I was even looking into Ovations as I REALLY like the idea of factory TC+o2 + FIKI.

Then I found the Commander 115.

I've always liked the Commanders - 2 doors is an absolute game changer - and the cabin itself is comfy as heck. Is there anything that would keep you out of a Commander 115 - are parts impossible to find or something like that?



The Cardinal has a great community and MX support - and the PA46 is still in production - what about the Commanders?
 
182 speed without 182 capacity if you’re taking a full bag of gas.
 
Commanders were produced by Rockwell. I have a few hours in the 114A. I had a gear extension issue that finally worked with emergency extension. After a few cycles on the jack stands it happened again. Turns out there was a "shuttle" ball in the hydraulic pump that was the problem. Took 6 months to find a part.
 
TCABM said:
182 speed without 182 capacity if you’re taking a full bag of gas.
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Im comparing 1000lb UL planes here (Cardinal/Commander/ Mirages have a little more but higher fuel burn.)
 
Jetter2 said:
I am all but sold on getting a Cardinal RG - but I keep peeking around to see what else is out there.

I would LOVE to get into a Mirage, but the costs of ownership sky rocket with that thing. I was even looking into Ovations as I REALLY like the idea of factory TC+o2 + FIKI.

Then I found the Commander 115.

I've always liked the Commanders - 2 doors is an absolute game changer - and the cabin itself is comfy as heck. Is there anything that would keep you out of a Commander 115 - are parts impossible to find or something like that?



The Cardinal has a great community and MX support - and the PA46 is still in production - what about the Commanders?
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What's your mission exactly? Seems like kind of a wide range of aircraft to make it into your final choice.
 
ArrowFlyer86 said:
What's your mission exactly? Seems like kind of a wide range of aircraft to make it into your final choice.
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I'm ATL based - 500nm XC about 8-10x a year.

The only real reason I would consider a PA46 is due to the pressurization and FIKI. If I had FIKI (Commander 115 does) - I would fly more during the winter I bet.

You can find a nice Malibu or Mirage for 2x the cost of a nice Cardinal - but you get a LOT more capability.
 
Jetter2 said:
I'm ATL based - 500nm XC about 8-10x a year.

The only real reason I would consider a PA46 is due to the pressurization and FIKI. If I had FIKI (Commander 115 does) - I would fly more during the winter I bet.

You can find a nice Malibu or Mirage for 2x the cost of a nice Cardinal - but you get a LOT more capability.
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Gotcha.

Solo or carrying pax?

Personally, I don't think 500nm is that far. That's a mission you can probably do comfortably in any of the aircraft listed. I can do that in my arrow in under 4h, and even a 172 wouldn't take much longer.

If I were you I'd be looking at the other options outside the Mirage. That seems like overkill for that mission profile. I'm partial to Cardinals. But if an ovation is also in the budget - I wouldn't have to think twice: I'd get that. But full disclosure: a sexy Ovation just taxi'd in front of me while I typed this response from my hangar, so there might be some bias:cool:
 
ArrowFlyer86 said:
Gotcha.

Solo or carrying pax?

Personally, I don't think 500nm is that far. That's a mission you can probably do comfortably in any of the aircraft listed. I can do that in my arrow in under 4h, and even a 172 wouldn't take much longer.

If I were you I'd be looking at the other options outside the Mirage. That seems like overkill for that mission profile. I'm partial to Cardinals. But if an ovation is also in the budget - I wouldn't have to think twice: I'd get that. But full disclosure: a sexy Ovation just taxi'd in front of me while I typed this response from my hangar, so there might be some bias:cool:
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2 people usually - 3 max.

I tend to NEVER fly 4hrs due to bladder limits - so if I carry 5hrs of fuel in the Cardinal that's 50gal out of the 1k useful load. 650lbs left seems to be plenty enough for 2-3 folks and bags.
 
Your airplane shopping is all over the map.

Get a Lance.
 
Jetter2 said:
I'm ATL based - 500nm XC about 8-10x a year.

The only real reason I would consider a PA46 is due to the pressurization and FIKI. If I had FIKI (Commander 115 does) - I would fly more during the winter I bet.

You can find a nice Malibu or Mirage for 2x the cost of a nice Cardinal - but you get a LOT more capability.
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You also get 40k worth of annual inspection and insurance....if you can even get insurance
 
Before you buy a Cardinal, get that wing spar carrythrough checked. Thoroughly. If it's corrosion pitted enough the value of the airplane is rather low. A parts machine.
 
Dan Thomas said:
Before you buy a Cardinal, get that wing spar carrythrough checked. Thoroughly. If it's corrosion pitted enough the value of the airplane is rather low. A parts machine.
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MOST of the C177 fleet has already had the Spar AD complied with - same with 210s.

Bust absolutely!
 
TCABM said:
182 speed without 182 capacity if you’re taking a full bag of gas.
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Don't know of a ton of C182 cruising at 160ktas (maybe a 182RG with throttle to the firewall or a Turbo 182 up high).
 
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