Photograph:
Aero Commander 100 VH-EXL (c/n 114) at Bankstown, NSW (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Four-seat cabin monoplane
Power Plant:
One 112 kw (150 hp) Lycoming O-320-A four-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan:10.67 m (35 ft)
- Length:6.86 m (22 ft 6 in)
- Height:2.84 m (9 ft 4 in)
- Wing area:16.81 m² (181 sq ft)
- Max speed:214 km/h (133 mph)
- Cruising speed at 75% power at 2,285 m (7,500 ft):206 km/h (128 mph)
- Stalling speed flaps down:89 km/h (59 mph)
- Rate of climb at sea level:239 m/min (785 ft/min)
- Max range at 75% power at 2,285 m (7,500 ft):821 km (510 miles)
- Empty weight:580 kg (1,280 lb)
- Loaded weight:1,020 kg (2,250 lb)
History:
This series of aircraft was developed by Volaircraft Corporation in the United States during the late 1950s. At first it was marketed as the Volair 10, receiving its type approval on 30 November 1961. Powered by a 101 kw (135 hp) Lycoming O-290-D2C engine, it was later marketed as the Model 1035 and, later again in 1964 as the Model 1050, with the 112 kw (150 hp) Lycoming O-320 engine. Production was subsequently taken over by Aero Commander and, for a short period, the aircraft was marketed as the Aero Commander 100.
When Aero Commander Inc became part of the North American Rockwell organisation, which was renamed Rockwell International, the aircraft became known as the North American Rockwell Commander 100. In May 1968 a re-design took place and a new model known as the Lark Commander, fitted with a 134 kw (180 hp) engine, was marketed alongside the Darter Commander. The latter had a forward-swept vertical tail whereas the new Lark Commander had a swept-back vertical tail. Production of the series concluded in early 1971.
The Darter Commander was a braced high-wing monoplane with a streamline-section bracing strut on each side. The wings were an all-metal two-spar structure with fibreglass wingtips and aluminium three-position flaps. The fuselage was of welded steel-tube construction covered with light metal panels. The rear fuselage was semi-monocoque with a fibreglass engine cowling. The baggage compartment had a capacity of 54 kg (120 lb).
A small number of examples of the Darter Commander have been registered in this region, and these have included VH-ELA (c/n 221), VH-EXL (c/n 114) and VH-MQC (c/n 119). A Model 100 was registered in New Zealand as ZK-CTU (c/n 074).