The first of a new series of single-engine monoplanes, the prototype Commander 112 was flown for the first time on 4 December 1970 powered by a 134-kw (180-hp) Lycoming O-360 engine.

Aero Design and Engineering Co, which was formed in December 1944 in Culver City, California, by two Former Douglas Aircraft Co employees, produced an aircraft known as the Aero Commander L-3805.

The Aero Commander 840, also known as the Rockwell Commander 690C Jetprop 840, is a development of the 690 series with turboprops, being produced alongside the 980 at Rockwell International’s General Aviation Division, at this time the company concluding production of piston-engined aircraft.

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.