Aero Commander 100 Darter

Originally Posted by

On Jun 25, 6:56 pm, Lou wrote:[color=blue][i]
Can anyone tell me why I keep seeing these planes
selling for what seems like a great price? Every once
in a while someone advertises this brand and model,
but different planes for the same price as most Cessna
150's. Why? What is the problem with these planes?

We did some work on a Lark, the 180 hp version. It was intended to
compete with the 172, but needed that 180 hp just to haul the heavy
airframe around. In some ways it's a robust airplane, rather simple,
but has some odd features. The aluminum sheet metal is only a cover
around the cabin; the primary structure is steel tube, and stronger
than a tank. The landing gear is a pivoted steel tube structure, using
a fiberglass leaf as a spring. Try to buy a new one of those springs.
The flaps are plain piano-hinged affairs, cheap like a Cherokee's, not
having the Fowler action but also not having flap tracks and rollers
and other high-maintenance stuff. The floor is nice and flat and is
thick plywood. The seats set you up nice and high, like driving a
truck. The oil pressure line from the engine to the gauge is 1/4"
copper tube that fatigues and breaks at the engine, which then pumps
all the oil overboard. False economy of the worst sort.
They'd be good buys in Canada where such an airplane could be
registered Owner-Maintenance, and parts manufactured as necessary. Not
so easy in the US. And the fuel mileage will be poor, with that 180 hp
but mediocre cruise.

Dan

I own a Darter... the aircraft is much preferable to a C-172 of the same vintage or newer. It's a 172 on steroids as I like to call it. Stronger than the Cessna, and as economical for sure. Econo-cruise is 128 mph on 7 gph. Very respectable for what it will do for you. Climb at over 800fpm, lands under 500 ft. with no panic and regular breaking. Very solid landing feel, excellent visibility and roomy cockpit. Useful load is 970 lbs.. These are all verified numbers not just out of the book. I trained in 172s and I much prefer this aircraft. Parts are available from J&C Enterprises in Oklahoma. Very nice people to work with. Of course the Lyc. 0-320 A-1-A is "bullet proof". The price is right on this one because people are just ill-informed.

It's a keeper... if you sell it you'll wish you didn't down the line...

All the Best, Ron