Aero Commander 100
Single-engine, Four-seat, High-wing, Light Monoplane Aircraft

Archive Photos ¹

1968 Aero Commander 100 (N269DA, s/n 269) at the 2009 Cable Air Show, Photos by John Shupek copyright © 2009 Skytamer Images

1969 Aero Commander 100 (N4159X, s/n 341) at the 2009 Cable Air Show, Photo by John Shupek copyright © 2009 Skytamer Images

Overview ²

Known originally as the Volaire Model 1050, this aircraft was developed by the former Volaircraft Corporation of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. It was in limited production prior to taking over by Aero Commander. Since then (c.1967), production has been expanded, with the aim of building at least 500 Aero Commander 100’s each year.

The current version introduced a number of refinements, including an enlarged windscreen, larger rear cabin window and more compact instrument panel.

Specifications and Performance Data (Aero Commander 100) ²

Type

• Four-seat light aircraft.

Wings

• Braced high-wing monoplane.
• Single streamline-section bracing strut each side.
• All-metal two-spar structure with glass-fiber tips.
• Aluminum three-position flaps.

Fuselage

• Cabin section of welded steel-tube construction, covered with light alloy panels.
• Rear fuselage is all-metal semi-monocoque.
• Glass-fiber engine cowling in upper and lower sections.

Tail Unit

• Cantilever all-metal structure, with small dorsal fin.
• Trim-tab in elevator.

Landing Gear

• Non-retractable tricycle type.
• Steerable nose-wheel carried on oleo-pneumatic shock-strut.
• Cantilever glass-fiber-sprung main units.
• All wheels size 6.00 × 6, with four-ply tires.
• Optional streamlined fairings.
• Hydraulic brakes.
• Fixed tail-skid to avert damage in tail-down landing.

Power Plant

• One 150-hp Lycoming O-320-A four-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine, driving a Sensenich M74DM-60 two-blade fixed-pitch metal propeller.
• Spinner optional.
• Fuel tank in each wing root, with total capacity of 44 US gallons (166.5 L).
• Oil capacity 2 US gallons (7.5 L).

Accommodation

• Four seats in pairs in enclosed cabin, with 360° visibility.
• Door on each side.
• Dual controls, heating and ventilation standard.
• Baggage capacity 120 lb (54 kg).

Electronics and Equipment

• Optional items include blind-flying instrumentation and range of Narco nav/com installations.

Dimensions (external)

• Wing span: 35 ft 0 in (10.67 m)
• Length overall: 22 ft 6 in (6.86 m)
• Height overall: 9 ft 4 in (2.84 m)
• Wheel track: 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m)
• Wheelbase: 8 ft 2 in (2.49 m)
• Cabin doors (each) Max height: 3 ft 4 in (1.02 m)
• Cabin doors (each) Max width: 3 ft 0 in (0.91 m)

Dimensions (internal)

• Cabin Length, from firewall: 8 ft 2 in (2.49 m)
• Cabin Max height: 3 ft 101 in (1.18 m)
• Cabin Max width: 3 ft 4 in (1.02 m)

Area

• Wings, gross: 181 ft² (16.81 m²)

Weights and Loadings

• Weight empty: 1,280 lb (580 kg)
• Max T-O weight: 2,250 lb (1,020 kg)
• Max wing loading: 12.2 lb/ft² (59.5 kg/m²)
• Max power loading: 14.7 lb/hp (6.67 kg/hp)

Performance (at max T-O weight)

• Max speed at S/L: 142 mph (228 km/h)
• Max cruising speed (75% power): 128 mph (206 km/h)
• Stalling speed (flaps up): 52 mph (84 km/h)
• Stalling speed (flaps down): 48 mph (77 km/h)
• Rate of climb at S/L: 850 ft/min (260 m/min)
• Service ceiling: 13,000 ft (3,950 m)
• T-O run: 750 ft (230 m)
• Landing run: 390 ft (120 m)
• Range with max fuel, 45 min reserve: 560 miles (900 km)

References

1. Shupek, John. Aero Commander: Aero Commander 100 The Skytamer Archive, copyright © 2009 Skytamer Images. All Rights Reserved
2. Taylor, John W.R. Aero Commander: Aero Commander 100 Jane’s All The World’s Aircraft 1967-68. New York, The MacMillan Company, 1967, pp 185-186.