The Twin Commander 500S

Josh talks about what makes this Twin Commander (Shrike) 500S special!

[@10RRASK]

These are the classiest light twin ever built. Such a great, and even greater looking airplane.

[@HugAviation]

Definitely one of the finest looking light twins ever built

[@daniellerothchild2787]

The twin commander is definitely a special aircraft! Great explanation and video

[@carlbandysr5058]

Very stable. Can fly at a steep angle and still maintain maneuverability. Emergency decent training is too cool. Gear down, flaps and 45 degree bank….you are coming down.

[@RogerOscarMike613]

Awesome aircraft. I absolutely love high wing twin engine airplanes.

[@pgconsulting7668]

Great airplane, makes me want to look into buying one... Bob Hoover was a legend with the aero commander.

[@TwinPilots19]

The only Shrike I have flown is Bob Hoover's N500RA. I was one of the lucky few that would occasionally fly it for him from airshow site to airshow site. Highlight of my flying career was having the unique opportunity to fly with him during an actual airshow. Your Shrike purchase was a great choice. Best of luck with it!

[@wyatt92563]

Ah Bob Hoover. My aviator hero. Got to see him perform at the Dayton International Airshow back in the 90’s.

[@carlbandysr5058]

I’m interested in the cost of the every 3 year spar inspection. Any idea of the cost and time associated with the inspection?

[@TwinPilots19]

@@wyatt92563 I flew Bob's Shrike to Dayton many times for the airshow. In the 90's we were also flying the NA-265 Sabreliner in airshow's as well.

[@TwinPilots19]

@@carlbandysr5058 I'm not sure about that, but to get accurate information on cost and time, google "Central Air Southwest" at Kansas City downtown airport. They fly more than 35 Commanders in part 135 and supported Bob Hoover's aircraft for many years. Ask for Andrew Towner. Also one of our sponsors was Byerly Aviation in Peoria. They did the majority of the annuals and inspections as part of their sponsorship of Bob Hoover.

[@ricklowers8873]

Flew the 500B for Central Air Charter (before & during change to C.A. Southwest) back in the 1980’s. Absolutely love this aircraft! Saw Bob Hoover at EAA Oshkosh in the late 70’s to early 80’s. Sat on the ground as a slack jawed college kid at his demonstration in the Shrike. The night I lost” #2 right after gear retraction I learned why Mr. Hoover flew the shrike into the “dead” engine. I learned that (if you didn’t pay attention) the airplane would stall BEFORE it would roll with a critical engine failure. Yep, you have that much rudder authority. No, I didn’t do THAT. But I realized how much rudder authority was available. True, it’s not the fastest or most efficient twin (we’d barely outrun a Cessna 210) but it was & is, a tank! I’ll sing it’s praises until the day I die! Oh, and Andrew, if you see this; HI! Remember you from Company parties back in the day. Really enjoyed working w & for your dad! Keep ‘‘em flying.

[@Kevin_747]

Nice looking Shrike. I flew 500B's and Shrikes from 1979 to 1982 five nights a week on cargo charters. Very rugged and reliable design. I have a lot of hours in AC50's.

[@timanderson5543]

I loved this a/c ever since i saw Bob hoover do aerobatics in one back in the early70s.

[@timothysylvain4465]

Strangest thing. I’ve never watched your videos and this video is in my feed while this exact plane is sitting on my ramp. Super freaking clean plane in person.

[@ryanpresent5596]

This is such a cool plane, and a fun presence from the speaker and creator :)

[@afrock1000]

Flew N2300H for a while as it was purchased from RH. Only mods he did were an inverted ball and a blow-down bottle. Great, solid airplane but never forget those barn door, upper-surface cowl flaps during an engine out. All the best.

[@dvsmotions]

Love the Commanders. They have a great ramp presence.

[@smal1393]

I have always loved the Shrike; Bob Hover also liked the plane!

[@ubiratancardoso5923]

Great airplane indeed. One of my favorite. 😍

[@larrywill5848]

In my younger day, I had a 560E, and then a 680S. I miss flying so much. The Aero Commander is a beautiful flying machine.

[@buckbuchanan5849]

Great looking plane, super clean.

[@38whitcomb]

Nice to see the Shrike. Great flying airplane I got my ATP in one and have many hundreds of hours in the older Shrike. Glad to see the cruise speed improved the only complaint I had was the noise level was not enjoyable. Good stable instrument platform and yes it is thirsty. I never found the ground steering to be an issue

[@joaquinfabrega]

My father had one for close to 15 years until he sold it and bought a Commander 840. I loved both Commanders.

[@monoralph1375]

In mid 1970's my Father flew a Commander for his employers company. I had many flights and a few hours in the left seat. Sadly our last flight was to deliver to the next owner. We flew from south east Pennsylvania to Denver, CO. Memorable. Great airplane. Saw Bob Hoover at Reading airport in the 70's

[@1212CRMD]

Fantastic ! Beautiful !

[@monostripezebras]

Super neat aircraft!

[@cjstudios5170]

Very familiar with the Turbo Commander (1000). Put some time in one back in the 80's. What an airplane! The Shrike is on my bucket list.

[@bernardanderson3758]

Makes me thinking of Bob Hoover

[@donaldalmeida2483]

Several years ago, during the President Kennedy years, while hanging out at Hyannis Airport, I was standing next to a low fence overlooking a twin Aero Commander. I don't think it was yet called a "Shrike" back then. I noticed a very short, portly and old-looking "priest" walking slowly in short steps toward this plane. I suddenly realized it was Cardinal Spellman. He had a summer home on the Cape and had family in Whitman, Mass. where he grew up. And, of course, he was the passenger.

[@albertogarciaarango2411]

The BOB HOVER aircraft airplane show unforgettable beautyful

[@michaeldautry]

The Bob Hoover signature is really really cool 😎

[@paulspinks4065]

I always wanted to fly one of these. Many years ago I was offered a type rating on one, but couldn’t do it due to work commitments.

[@edgarguinartlopez8341]

Very nice aircraft, from my POV... I like up wing twin engines with main gear installed on engines pod, or whatever... I think this must be one of the smallest aircraft in this config... Interesting also the steering system, I will read more about that, I never saw anything like this before: Using first inch of brake pedals for steer¿? :) Could be interesting to build it for flight simulators, loots of fun I think... Thanks for sharing, very good video quality.

[@amirrashkan6216]

My absolute favorite airplane ...Twin Commander...

[@melfisher1683]

Those aircraft are f*cking awesome. I flew in one back in "92" and again in "97". You're a lucky guy. They are expensive. I hope you can hang on to it.

[@airlanggabhumintaraamitaba8363]

Old but gold , she still flying

[@jmedaugh]

If I remember correctly they included a super 8 movie of Bob Hoover doing aerobatics when you bought one of these now famous airplanes. I really like the idea of glass cockpits in classic airframes.

[@NeaJEDI09]

I totally know this guy..sweet plane

[@filipepascoa1785]

I love that aircraft

[@carlbandysr5058]

Nice plane. I just bought one about three weeks ago.

[@HugAviation]

I got to fly in it! Really a fantastic airframe and very unique

[@reneblanco1]

winglets have a purpose. One is reduce vortices, therefore reducing drag, there fore decrease fuel burn.

[@HugAviation]

They do :). What Josh meant to say here was that the performance increase is so minimal that it doesn’t justify the STC cost to have the winglets and its more aesthetics than anything else.

[@patrickchard4519]

I see a C-130J-30 from the 130th AW, WVANG made a guest appearance. Best Wing in the USAF! Ready to Go!

[@bernardanderson3758]

Love to fly the Shrike

[@bitc0inlightningrules423]

What a nice bird

[@Dave-df1vu]

i boought one last week in lousiana. had it deleivered to m ein washington state/ now if i can just figure out how to fly it. used to my 182 essna. buti have had that for over 30 years.. the commander is nice. wonder if the instruction manual shows me how to fly iy., lol

[@carlbandysr5058]

I too had a 182 prior to this purchase. For insurance reasons, I was required to have a checkout with a school that has an approved syllabus. There was a location in UT, IL and TN. I chose Air Center Inc in Chattanooga (Collegedale, TN) because it was closer to me. I’m glad that I did. Gary Gadberry knows almost everything about Shrikes.

[@fly-n-m9445]

I love the easy access to all the seats. Can you elaborate a bit on real performance numbers? Also, I have a grass runway, curious how it would perform on that.

[@HugAviation]

This aircraft can take off and land in really short distances . I think it can takeoff in 1915 ft and land in 2235 ft at max gross weight.

[@fly-n-m9445]

Thanks for the info 👍 Hope to see more videos

[@pgconsulting7668]

Can easily land on grass runway

[@KutWrite]

Love the 70s Blaxploitation music!

[@markleightonson1770]

♥️

[@jazjobse946]

Commander 1000 turbo is one of the prettiest planes i ever flew in. Thanks to Mr Holmes a court.

[@cmcnamara3]

Nice plane

[@gregoirederadzitzky]

Super avion, combien ça coute par an et par heure ?

[@av8tore71]

I used to fly the 690's with the Garretts

[@kasm10]

what kind of leather bag was that on the copilot seat

[@HugAviation]

That’s a Lightspeed Markham leather flight bag, they are very nice!

[@mnoei8705]

How much is this aircraft to buy ?

[@scottrichmond3400]

Rich kids... or parents with wealth. Awesome. One day i hope i can get my pilot license....

[@johnfoster5955]

Where is the stripe for propellers warning? have a one where your property is in danger

[@Parr4theCourse]

So it does exist….

[@HugAviation]

And it flies :)

[@DreadnautVS]

Wait, you're telling me that winglets don't reduce drag? Come on now...

[@HugAviation]

I think he means this winglet produces a negligible difference

[@beechcraftflyer1460]

The winglets installation on a piston commander have shown no benefit or lost in overall drag coefficient of the wing. They are for looks, not reducing drag. Most aircraft benefit from the winglets, but the commander does not sadly

[@GivathBrenner]

Winglets don't help with drag at all ? Hmmm..... Retired Canada

[@donizetesilva1088]

Donizete Bragaca sp Brasil ✈✈✈✈✈✈✈

[@pilot_franklin265]

Is it tall friendly? because I’m 6 3’ inches tall 😂

[@HugAviation]

I think you should have plenty of room!

[@pilot_franklin265]

@@HugAviation amazing thanks a lot :)

[@stewart4711]

can i go for a ride get some sleep i sleep the best flying

[@ederleizimdasilveira7052]

Deveria ter tradução para o português.

[@timmholzhauer3342]

He has it for 9 months and he highly recommends it. Sure. 🙈

[@BOPilot5517]

Nervous Nelly!

[@McGyverPilot]

Often boasting of having recent annual inspection is an indirect way of hinting the plane might be for sale. But you said nothing about that. Well?

[@HugAviation]

Airplane is not for sale, this would be his first annual inspection

[@SolomonSamson747]

You mean it’s his dads shrike commander…

[@NasserNSR56]

Nasser 01 🫳

[@equaltothetaskaviation6440]

turbo commander does not mean turbine

[@HugAviation]

I believe that is the naming convention for commanders with Turbine powerplants. The 680T was coined the “Turbo Commander” powered by the Garrett TPE331’s.

[@fastmph]

Yes it does

[@KidFromQueens]

A lot of twin props are pointless as a single turbo prop does so much more for almost the same cost!

[@XaymacaJah]

WINGLETS DO HELP WITH SOMETHING AREODYNAMIC... go research that!!

[@fastmph]

A little prep before doing a video would make it easier to watch.

[@rodblievers620]

Much better watched without the stumbling narrative..

[@HugAviation]

A little unprepared but this comment is kind of unnecessarily aggressive

[@rodblievers620]

@@HugAviation Wasn’t intended to be aggressive, just disappointed that a lovely aeroplane let down by your apparent lack of preparation. Are you really happy with your presentation?

[@HugAviation]

@@rodblievers620 We have provided this content for free and it was shot off the cuff with no time for preparation that I will admit. But It would be preferred if you would provide me constructive criticism rather than just saying our video is “much better watched without the stumbling narrative”. Keep in mind this is my first time making a video of this format, I’ll definitely be making more preparations for the next. It’s pretty nerve racking being in front of a camera and getting interviewed. We’re all learning!

[@12345fowler]

He needs to work on his delivery, it was painful to listen to.

[@joedaviss9448]

Hey man where are you based out of?

[@DavidKozinski]

Beautiful aircraft. Back in the day I worked for a commander dealer here in Cleveland at KBKL.