[click on any photo for a larger image, press "Back" button to return to this page] 1962 Aero Commander 500A Colemill, N811D
Engine Monitor Data for N811D
General:
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This low-time Commander was converted by Colemill Enterprises from the original IO-470s to IO-520s in 1973, providing 300HP per side for takeoff. Gross weight was increased to 6530 lbs, providing a useful load of 2005 lbs. With 156 gallons of fuel, endurance is well over 4 hours with IFR reserves. Carrying full fuel that leaves a payload of 1069 lbs. In short, you can carry full fuel, 160 lbs of bags, and 5 big people [180lbs each] over 700NM with IFR reserves. Not bad.
Renowned for its docile handling charisteristics on one engine, this Commander has a VMC of 70 Kts with a VYSE of 95 Kts. And when mixing in with air carriers at airports like SNA the max. gear speed of 156 Kts comes in real handy for "Keep your speed up 'til the marker". See V-Speeds below.
I'm looking for 2 or 3 partners to share the expenses and make sure she gets
to fly as much as she should. I intend to keep this a first class airplane and
own it for a long time. Partners will pay substantially less than 1/4 of the
acquisition costs yet will each have 1/4 of the flying privileges and the confidence
that the airplane is being maintained to the highest standards. All-inclusive
operating costs [insurance/tiedown/maintenance/engine reserve/fuel], based on
100 hours/year are approximately $200/hour. Contact
me for details.
Times, Inspections:
TTAF: [only!] 2425
Engines: TTSN: 450/450, TTSMOH 50/50,
Props SMOH: 125 , 5-yr overhaul done 7/17/2003
Airframe: Annual due May 2005
Transponder/Pitot-Static: Jan 2007
Notes:
April 14, 2004: She's flying again! Two zero-time overhauls, a hydraulic pump, a starter, some fresh paint on the nosebowls later she's hummin' along.
February 16, 2004: It took longer than anticipated to get the engines, but they are here and happenin'!!
"Officer, I taxied in, was in the terminal
for about 20 minutes, and came back and found this..."
November 26, 2003: The engines are at 1750 today [1700 TBO], running strong, great compressions, normal oil burn, normal oil analysis. However, I have just pulled the trigger on overhauls. The engines will be ready during the first half of November; should be installed during December.
Avionics:
Garmin
340 Audio Panel w/ 6 place intercom
Garmin 430 Navigator, coupled to A/P, HSI [current
database, new subscription]
JPI-760
engine monitor
Garmin Transponder
King KX175B w/ GS
King KCS55A HSI
BFG WX10A Stormscope
King 64 DME
Century III Autopilot
Electronic OAT
PTT
Top
Exterior:
Not sure what year it was done. Most paint looks quite good; leading edges of wings. Planning on a repaint in about 12-18 months.
Interior:
All leather interior, excellent condition. Crew cushions just re-done with ConFor foam (very comfortable, even for 4 hour legs). Baggage compartment placarded at 350 lbs.
Recent work (since I acquired N811D in July 2003) :
March, 2005: Expected completion of consversion from generators to alternators with Central Air STC.
February, 2005: Completed SB-90D spar inspection [good for another 750 hours]
January, 2005: Installed JPI-760 engine monitor [see above for sample data]
May-December, 2004: Lots of stuff: replaced all 4 main gear actuators, relpaced all hydrualic hoses in both main gear wells, both fuel filter bodies, both fuel shutoff valves, replaced batteries.
Feb-April 2004:
Two zero-time overhauls
installed.
Prop governors flushed.
Right hydraulic pump replaced.
Left starter replaced.
Nosebowls painted.
November 2003:
New gas cap with restrictor [to prevent
mis-fueling] installed
October 2003:
Power brake cylinders rebuilt [steers like a dream now!]
Crew cushions re-done with ConFor foam
September 2003:
Right exahust stack repaired
Brakes cleaned and inspected
August 2003:
Replaced all hoses firewall forward
New Co-pilot window installed
Left hydraulic pump replaced
Left exhaust stack repaired
Oil filter adapters intalled left/right
July 2003:
Left/right props overhauled
New batteries
New flap bearings
As you can see, 11D has flown regularly since 10/98, averging 75 hours/year since then. This follows a hiatus during much of the 90s when it flew less than 100 hours over an 8 year period, accounting, in part, for the extremely low total time.
Contact me at:
+1 (949) 861-1626 mobile