If you’re in the market for a new plane, you may have come across the Rockwell Commander 112 or 114. These planes started out as the 111 and 112, with improvements being made over the years to create newer versions. The 114 is the beefier version with a six-cylinder engine.

The Rockwell Commander may not be as well-known as other planes like the Cessna or Beechcraft, but it has its own unique appeal. It’s roomy, comfortable, and has a cool aesthetic that non-pilots may find appealing. In this article, we’ll dive into the background of the Rockwell Commander, its target market, maintenance requirements, and more.

Key Takeaways

  • The Rockwell Commander is a comfortable and roomy plane with a unique aesthetic.
  • It was marketed towards non-aviator inclined people rather than competing directly with Cessna and Beechcraft.
  • Maintenance and airworthiness directives are important considerations when purchasing a Rockwell Commander.

Understanding Rockwell Commander

If you’re considering buying a Rockwell Commander 112 or 114, it’s important to understand what you’re getting into. The Commander started out as the 111 and 112, but the fixed gear 111 never made it past the prototype stage. Over the initial 10-year production run, improvements were steadily made and new versions were spun off. The 114 is the version with the beefier six-cylinder engine.

The Little Commander is a less well-known version of the plane. It’s comfortable and stylish, but not particularly fast or well-made. It’s sort of like a 1980s Buick – people see you coming and it looks cool, but it’s not the best performer.

The Commander was marketed to regular wealthy people rather than competing directly with Cessna and Beach. The idea was to convince non-aviator inclined people to buy a cool new toy. This marketing approach is still happening today, and it seems to work. The Commander’s performance is comparable to a Cessna 182, but it’s roomier and more comfortable.

There are some good deals to be had on used Commanders, but be sure to check for airworthiness directives. The Commander has had quite a few over the years, and they can be costly to implement.

The timeline of the Commander’s production is a bit convoluted. Rockwell Commander started in 1972 and quit in 1980. Gulfstream bought the rights, but all they produced was a laundry list of airworthiness directives. The newly-formed Commander Aircraft company bought the rights in 1988 and started producing new planes in 1992. They got about 200 built in their 10-year production run, but they were unable to survive the downturn post-911 and shut down in 2002. Commander Premier Aircraft Corporation took over the rights in 2005 and built parts until 2012.

All in all, the Commander is a good buy as long as you’re not signing up to take on incomplete airworthiness directives. It’s a great choice for big and tall pilots, as it has plenty of cabin space. It may not be as fast as some of its contemporaries, but it’s a perfectly nice place to spend an extra 15 minutes.

Comparison With Other Planes

When it comes to comparing the Rockwell Commander 112 and 114 with other planes, it’s important to note that these planes were marketed to regular wealthy people rather than aviation enthusiasts. The Commander’s performance is similar to the Cessna 182, but it’s more spacious and comfortable. In terms of speed, it’s not as fast as some of its contemporaries, but the difference is only about 10 to 20 knots, which adds about 20 minutes to a three-hour flight.

The Commander is roomier and more comfortable than planes like the Bonanza and Arrow, making it a great choice for those who value comfort over speed. It also has a unique and cool aesthetic that appeals to non-pilots. However, it’s important to note that the Commander doesn’t have the same level of support and familiarity as Cessna planes.

In terms of maintenance and annuals, the Commander is fairly average for this type of airplane. However, it’s important to check for any outstanding airworthiness directives (ADs) before purchasing a Commander. The Commander has had a fair amount of ADs over the years, so it’s important to make sure that any necessary repairs have been completed before buying.

Overall, the Rockwell Commander 112 and 114 are a good choice for those who value comfort and spaciousness over speed and performance. As long as you’re not signing up for incomplete ADs, the Commander is a great plane to fly.

Target Market and Marketing Strategy

If you’re in the market for a Rockwell Commander 112 or 114, you should know that these planes were marketed to regular wealthy people, rather than aviators. The Commander was designed to be a comfortable and roomy plane, with a cool look that would appeal to non-pilots.

The marketing strategy was to convince wealthy individuals to buy a shiny new toy, rather than compete directly with Cessna and Beechcraft. This approach is still being used today by some other companies.

The Commander’s performance is properly priced, with regular maintenance and annuals being fairly average for this type of airplane. However, it’s important to note that there are quite a few airworthiness directives to be aware of, so make sure to check that they are complete before purchasing.

Despite not being as fast as its contemporaries, the Commander is a great option for those who prioritize cabin space and comfort. It may even be the best in class for cabin space.

Overall, the marketing strategy for the Rockwell Commander was to appeal to wealthy non-pilots, rather than compete directly with other aviation companies. The Commander’s performance is comparable to other planes in its class, but its roominess and comfort make it a good choice for those who prioritize those features.

Maintenance and Airworthiness Directives

When shopping for a Rockwell Commander 112 or 114, it’s important to be aware of the maintenance and airworthiness directives (ADs) that apply to these planes. The Commander started out as the 111 and 112, with improvements being made over the initial 10-year production run and new versions being spun off. The 114 is the version with the beefier six-cylinder engine.

During the 1980s, the Commander was marketed to regular wealthy people rather than to airplane-savvy folks. This marketing approach is still happening today by somebody else we know. Regular maintenance and annuals are fairly average for this type of airplane, but it’s important to make sure that the ADs are complete before purchasing a Commander.

The Commander has a fair amount of ADs due to the age of the plane, so it’s important to ensure that any potential purchases have had these ADs completed. The timeline of the Commander’s design rights is a bit convoluted, with Rockwell Commander starting in 1972 and quitting in 1980. Gulfstream bought the rights but only produced a laundry list of ADs. The newly formed Commander Aircraft Company bought the rights in 1988 and started producing new planes in 1992. They got about 200 built in their 10-year production run but were unable to survive the downturn post-9/11 and shut down in 2002. Commander Premier Aircraft Corporation took over the rights in 2005 and built parts until 2012.

Overall, the Rockwell Commander is a good buy as long as you’re not signing up to take on incomplete ADs, which can be costly to implement. The Commander is roomy and comfortable, making it a great choice for big and tall individuals. While it may not be as fast as its contemporaries, the difference in speed is only about 10 to 20 knots, adding about 20 minutes on a three-hour flight. The Rockwell Commander is a perfectly nice place to spend an extra 15 minutes.

Timeline of the Rockwell Commander

The Rockwell Commander 112 and 114 are different versions of the same plane. The plane was initially designed as the 111 and 112, but the fixed gear 111 never made it past the prototype stage. Over the initial 10-year production run, improvements were steadily made, and new versions were spun off. The 114 is the version with the beefier six-cylinder engine.

The Little Commander is a less well-known version of the plane. It can be thought of as a comfortable, but not famously well-made, 1980s Buick. Despite burning a bit of gas, it is not terrifically fast. The Commander was marketed to regular wealthy people rather than competing directly with Cessna and Beach. This marketing approach is still happening today by somebody else we know.

The Rockwell Commander started in 1972 and quit in 1980. Gulfstream bought the rights, but all they produced was a laundry list of airworthiness directives. The newly formed Commander Aircraft Company bought them in 1988 and started producing new planes in 1992. A fair amount of improvements came with the 90s models, and they got about 200 built in their 10-year production run, but they were unable to survive the downturn post-9/11 and shut down in 2002.

Commander Premier Aircraft Corporation took over the rights in 2005 and built parts until 2012. The black company changed hands in 2009.

Overall, the Rockwell Commander is a good buy as long as you’re not signing up to take on incomplete airworthiness directives, which are costly to implement. The Commander is a perfectly nice place to spend an extra 15 minutes, even if it’s not as fast as its contemporaries. It is roomy and comfortable, making it a great option for big and tall pilots.

Benefits of the Rockwell Commander

If you’re in the market for a new plane, the Rockwell Commander 112 or 114 might be worth considering. While it may not be as well-known as other planes, the Commander offers a comfortable and spacious cabin, making it a great option for those who prioritize comfort over speed.

Compared to other planes of its time, the Commander may not be the fastest, but it offers a similar performance to the Cessna 182. Additionally, the Commander’s cabin is roomier and more comfortable than other planes in its class, making it a great choice for longer flights.

While the Commander may not have the same level of support and familiarity as Cessna, regular maintenance and annuals are fairly average for this type of airplane. However, it’s important to note that there are a fair amount of airworthiness directives to consider, so make sure to check that they have been completed before purchasing.

Despite its tumultuous history, the Commander is still a great option for those looking for a spacious and comfortable plane. As long as you’re not taking on incomplete airworthiness directives, the Commander is a solid choice for those who prioritize comfort and space.

Conclusion

In summary, the Rockwell Commander 112 and 114 are different versions of the same plane that started as the 111 and 112. Over the initial 10-year production run, improvements were made, and new versions were spun off. The 114 is the version with the beefier six-cylinder engine. The Little Commander is a comfortable plane that is roomier and more comfortable than its contemporaries, making it a great option for those who prioritize comfort over speed. Although it may not perform as well as other planes, it is still a great option for those looking for a shiny new toy. The Commander’s performance is properly priced, and there are some good deals to be had. However, it is important to ensure that airworthiness directives are complete before purchasing a Commander, as they can be costly to implement. Overall, the Rockwell Commander is a great option for those who prioritize comfort and cabin space over speed.

My name is Sean Walsh, and I'm the founder and writer of this website. For as far back as I can remember, I've always been interested in flying. A few years ago, I passed my check ride and got my PPL certificate! I'm now a private pilot with over 500 hours of flying time. Read more about me here.