The Air Command Commander Elite is an American autogyro that was designed and produced by Air Command International of Caddo Mills, Texas.When it was available the aircraft was supplied as a kit for amateur construction or as a conversion kit for the earlier Air Command Commander. 20th April 1996 - Long Marston airfield, Warwickshire, UK - Air Command 532 Elite - G-BOVP - Fatal - part of the AAIB report reads, '.The gyroplane returned some 20 minutes later,heading south, at a height variously estimated as between 1,000and 2,000 feet agl; the wind at 2,000 feet was about 220°/15kt. This is an Aircommand gyrocopter Elite. It is sold as a project. It was built in 2002 it has a fuel injected Hirth 2706E 65hp engine with only 21 hours on the engine.it has an engine information system, new electronic altimeter a very nice panel. To fly you will need a rotor blade, prop, tail feathers and rotor head. I'v flown Air Command gyrocopters since 1984 when they came out. They stole the market then as the best built gyrocopter since gyro's came out. Its still one of the best built and flying gyrocopters on the market. I have well over 1000 hours flying Gyrocopters.
| Commander Elite | |
|---|---|
| Role | Autogyro |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Air Command International |
| Status | Production completed |
| Unit cost | |
| Developed from | Air Command Commander |
The Air Command Commander Elite is an Americanautogyro that was designed and produced by Air Command International of Caddo Mills, Texas. When it was available the aircraft was supplied as a kit for amateur construction or as a conversion kit for the earlier Air Command Commander.[1]
Air Command Elite Gyroplane Manufacturers
As of 2012 the design is no longer advertised for sale by the company.[2]
Design and development[edit]
The Commander Elite improves on the original Commander in that it has raised landing gear that positions the engine thrustline vertically at the center of gravity, which eliminates changes in pitch with throttle changes. The gyroplane was designed to comply with the US Experimental - Amateur-built rules. It features a single main rotor, a single-seat open cockpit without a windshield, tricycle landing gear and a twin cylinder, two-stroke, liquid-cooled, dual-ignition 64 hp (48 kW) Rotax 582 engine in pusher configuration.[1]
The aircraft's 23 ft (7.0 m) diameter Rotordyne rotor has a chord of 8 in (20.3 cm). The rudder and tailplane are made from carbon fibre. The Commander Elite has a typical empty weight of 270 lb (122 kg) and a gross weight of 570 lb (259 kg), giving a useful load of 300 lb (140 kg).[1]
Operational history[edit]
Air Command Gyrocopter
By December 2012 ten examples had been registered in the United States with the Federal Aviation Administration.[3]
Specifications (Commander Elite)[edit]
Data from Bayerl[1]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Empty weight: 269 lb (122 kg)
- Gross weight: 569 lb (258 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 9 U.S. gallons (34 L; 7.5 imp gal)
- Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 582 twin cylinder, liquid-cooled, two strokeaircraft engine, 64 hp (48 kW)
- Main rotor diameter: 23 ft 0 in (7.01 m)
- Propellers: 3-bladed composite
Performance
- Maximum speed: 75 mph (120 km/h, 65 kn)
- Cruise speed: 55 mph (88 km/h, 48 kn)
- Disk loading: 1.4 lb/sq ft (6.7 kg/m2)
See also[edit]
References[edit]
Air Command Gyroplanes
- ^ abcdBayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 174. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
- ^Air Command International (n.d.). 'Available Models'. Archived from the original on 16 November 2012. Retrieved 22 December 2012.
- ^Federal Aviation Administration (22 December 2012). 'Make / Model Inquiry Results'. Retrieved 22 December 2012.
Air Command Gyroplane
| Used |
| “Good flying and running Gyrocopter” |
Air Command 447 Gyrocopter
| Make: | Air Command | Model Year: | 1994 |