---------------------------------------------------------- Commander-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Mon 05/06/13: 3 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 02:50 AM - Re: Commander "straight 500" real world numbers (stratobee) 2. 06:43 PM - Re: Re: Commander "straight 500" real world numbers (joel carter) 3. 08:50 PM - Re: Re: Commander "straight 500" real world numbers (Nico Nicsysco) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 02:50:25 AM PST US Subject: Commander-List: Re: Commander "straight 500" real world numbers From: "stratobee" Since nobody else has answered you, I'll give it a go even though I only run a 520. Depending on what model of 500 you run, they have roughly a useful load of about 1500-2000lbs and will cruise on paper at 170-190kts at 10000ft. The old 520 I fly, with roughly the same specs, is published to run at 171kts at 10K. In reality, it will do less. I normally cruise at 140kts to save on gas, but she'll do 160-165 balls to the wall TAS. My useful load is about 1700lbs on paper, but closer to 1400lbs after new weigh in. The spar AD comes in few different flavors. The biggest one is the spar cap where they had some galvanic corrosion between the stainless steel bit and the aluminium. I forget when it came in to place, but I think the models after 1968 are the more susceptible. It's no big deal. The Commander wing is strong and it's relatively easy to comply with. I wish I'd bought a 500B when I bought mine as they're well supported and solid machines. But I couldn't afford one at the time, so got the 520 instead. She's a great little aircraft with smashing short field capabilities, but getting harder to support and service every year. -------- Adam Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=400032#400032 ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 06:43:26 PM PST US Subject: Re: Commander-List: Re: Commander "straight 500" real world numbers From: joel carter Thanks Adam; I appreciate your response. After I learn what I want to know about the "straight 500", I'll have some questions about your 520 -------- Joel On May 6, 2013, at 5:50 AM, stratobee wrote: > > Since nobody else has answered you, I'll give it a go even though I only run a 520. Depending on what model of 500 you run, they have roughly a useful load of about 1500-2000lbs and will cruise on paper at 170-190kts at 10000ft. The old 520 I fly, with roughly the same specs, is published to run at 171kts at 10K. In reality, it will do less. I normally cruise at 140kts to save on gas, but she'll do 160-165 balls to the wall TAS. My useful load is about 1700lbs on paper, but closer to 1400lbs after new weigh in. > > The spar AD comes in few different flavors. The biggest one is the spar cap where they had some galvanic corrosion between the stainless steel bit and the aluminium. I forget when it came in to place, but I think the models after 1968 are the more susceptible. It's no big deal. The Commander wing is strong and it's relatively easy to comply with. > > I wish I'd bought a 500B when I bought mine as they're well supported and solid machines. But I couldn't afford one at the time, so got the 520 instead. She's a great little aircraft with smashing short field capabilities, but getting harder to support and service every year. > > -------- > Adam > > > > > Read this topic online here: > > http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=400032#400032 > > > > > > > > > > ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 08:50:26 PM PST US From: "Nico Nicsysco" Subject: RE: Commander-List: Re: Commander "straight 500" real world numbers Hi Joel, I flew a straight 500 for about 1,000 hours but that was about 25 years ago, so I don't remember much of the operational data any longer. I do remember, however, that it would never do 190kts in level flight as Adam has stated but it wasn't subject to spar inspections (1959 model) and it burned about 11 gal per side (imperial gallons). It is a great hauler if you operate near sea level but not above, say, 5,000 ft runway alt. The maintenance on the airframe and systems was not exorbitant and the 250hp direct drive Lycomings were unbeatable for reliability. Here I am flying her in 1984: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rcUM9MCPsA&list=PLAC685237DC2D98C7 Once I had to almost-evacuate 8 people off an island in the Indian Ocean. At sea level the 500 took 9 people with scuba gear off of a small strip without drama for the pilot. Some of the pax were fighter jocks and they had concerns but came to love the Commander after we had to make another landing before we could fly home. I can find the video of the trip and send it to you if you are interested. Many thanks Nico -----Original Message----- From: owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of joel carter Sent: Monday, May 06, 2013 6:43 PM Subject: Re: Commander-List: Re: Commander "straight 500" real world numbers --> Thanks Adam; I appreciate your response. After I learn what I want to know about the "straight 500", I'll have some questions about your 520 -------- Joel On May 6, 2013, at 5:50 AM, stratobee wrote: > --> > > Since nobody else has answered you, I'll give it a go even though I only run a 520. Depending on what model of 500 you run, they have roughly a useful load of about 1500-2000lbs and will cruise on paper at 170-190kts at 10000ft. The old 520 I fly, with roughly the same specs, is published to run at 171kts at 10K. In reality, it will do less. I normally cruise at 140kts to save on gas, but she'll do 160-165 balls to the wall TAS. My useful load is about 1700lbs on paper, but closer to 1400lbs after new weigh in. > > The spar AD comes in few different flavors. The biggest one is the spar cap where they had some galvanic corrosion between the stainless steel bit and the aluminium. I forget when it came in to place, but I think the models after 1968 are the more susceptible. It's no big deal. The Commander wing is strong and it's relatively easy to comply with. > > I wish I'd bought a 500B when I bought mine as they're well supported and solid machines. But I couldn't afford one at the time, so got the 520 instead. She's a great little aircraft with smashing short field capabilities, but getting harder to support and service every year. > > -------- > Adam > > > > > Read this topic online here: > > http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=400032#400032 > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Matronics Email List Services ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post A New Message commander-list@matronics.com UN/SUBSCRIBE http://www.matronics.com/subscription List FAQ http://www.matronics.com/FAQ/Commander-List.htm Web Forum Interface To Lists http://forums.matronics.com Matronics List Wiki http://wiki.matronics.com Full Archive Search Engine http://www.matronics.com/search 7-Day List Browse http://www.matronics.com/browse/commander-list Browse Digests http://www.matronics.com/digest/commander-list Browse Other Lists http://www.matronics.com/browse Live Online Chat! http://www.matronics.com/chat Archive Downloading http://www.matronics.com/archives Photo Share http://www.matronics.com/photoshare Other Email Lists http://www.matronics.com/emaillists Contributions http://www.matronics.com/contribution ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- These Email List Services are sponsored solely by Matronics and through the generous Contributions of its members.