Comming Soon,
Commander Elite Single
Starting at:
$13,000 for the 2704
$15,000 for the 2706

We also will have a Commander Elite Upgrade kit for single place machines the cost is: Single Place Elite Upgrade Kit:
New Tubes and Brackets -
Frame parts, Hardware, Rudder cable extensions. $1000.00 Folding Mast: $200.00 Nose Pod & Windshield & Winglet Kit: $400.00

This kit will transform your existing Commander 582, or Commander 532 single place into a high performance Elite configuration (centerline thrust/centerline drag). The performance data gains from the Elite F-30 flight-test program proved to merit Single Place Elite configured airframes.

Elite Review written by Rusty Nance

While attending the PRA Chapter 007 fly-in at Caddo Mills TX recently, I had the opportunity to fly the new AirCommand Elite single seat gyro. The new machine is fantastic. The front keel has been raised to make the machine a true centerline thrust gyro. A liquid cooled Rotax powered this particular AirCommand and the excess power available was incredible. It was both easy and exhilarating to fly.

The major change is the relocation of the front keel. The axle support tubes were moved to the rear keel out of necessity. A new reinforced extended nose wheel completes the geometry change. The front keel also gets a new brace that triangulates to the bottom of the mast, making the machine very strong.

Shortly after arriving at the fly-in Larry Neal handed me the keys to the new machine and told me to fly it all weekend and see how I like it. I guess all that needs to be said is I wish I had the money to buy a brand new one right now. This ship is a real winner. I expect it to be a top seller in the small market for gyroplanes.

The aircraft flies superbly and exhibits no tendency to oscillate as many gyros do. The centerline thrust design does not require as much damping from a horizontal stabilizer as other ships, but the horizontal was kept by AirCommand to make the aircraft perform better and resist PIO (Pilot Induced Oscillation.) The addition of power results in a slight rise of the nose, just the way a properly set up gyro should fly. The reduction of power brings the nose down, again the way it should be. After entering slow speed flight at about 200 feet AGL (Above Ground Level) I slowed the aircraft down to enter a power on sink. I then removed power to simulate an engine failure at slow speed to evaluate the power off characteristics. I was impressed that the nose of the aircraft lowered easily without the need to push forward on the control stick, as is the case on many gyros with a high thrust line relative to the vertical center of gravity. Only 75 feet was needed to establish airspeed of 45mph from near 0 airspeed. I consider 45 mph to be the minimum power off approach speed. I was very pleased that the aircraft accelerated to this airspeed with minimum effort on the part of the pilot in the power off condition.

Next on the list was high-speed flight. Again, no suprises. The aircraft remained stable and had no pitch excursions of any kind. At 80 mph the little aircraft was rock solid. Control sensitivity was greatly increased at this speed, as happens in all aircraft. Some people may prefer the control system to have less sensitivity, which AirCommand can easily accommodate if the buyer requests this. Many will prefer the more sensitive controls as it makes the aircraft feel like a sports car. Fixed stick stability in this machine is superb. Locking the stick in place at 60-mph results in absolutely no excursions in either pitch or roll until updrafts or downdrafts are entered. When entering an updraft (thermal) in the fixed stick condition the nose of the aircraft pitches slightly down into the thermal indicating a rotor thrust lined intersecting aft of the longitudinal center of gravity and positive pitch stability as all gyros should be. Unfortunately not all are. Landings and takeoffs in this aircraft are very simple and the machine holds pitch attitude during takeoff roll easily. The gyro balances on the main wheels with minimal effort and lifts of the ground left wheel slightly low as a result of the Rotax engine. Approach speeds of 45-mph result in an easy flare and rollout for landing.

In short, this machine is a real winner. I wish I had one. I wish to thank all the wonderful people at PRA Chapter 007 for sponsoring such a delightful fly-in. I highly recommend this fly-in where people just love to fly.

           Russell W. Nance
           CFI Helicopter/Gyroplane