Commander 700

Aero Commander · United States · first flew 1975 · transport aircraft

The Commander 700 was a twin-engine, T-tail business aircraft developed by Aero Commander and later associated with Subaru's aerospace activities in the United States. It was intended to compete in the pressurised twin-piston market segment.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Low-mounted, tapered
E — Engines	2 × piston, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	9.6 m fuselage
T — Tail	T-tail

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Spot it by:

Twin-piston six-seat business aircraft with T-tail
Low-wing with retractable tricycle gear
Lycoming TIO-540 turbocharged engines

A conventional low-wing twin with a distinctive T-tail setting it apart from the Seneca or Baron; the relatively clean fuselage lines and turbocharged cowling shapes are identifying features.

Specifications

The Commander 700 has a length of 9.6 m (31 ft).
It has a wingspan of 13.1 m (43 ft).
Its maximum speed is 375 km/h (233 mph).
Typical crew: 1–2, plus 4–5 passengers.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

The Commander 700 was developed in the mid-1970s as a step up from the smaller Commander 111/114 singles, targeting the corporate piston twin market. Subaru's North American subsidiary became involved with the type during this period. Production was limited and the aircraft did not achieve commercial success comparable to rivals from Piper or Beechcraft.

Variants

No significant production variants were developed; the type remained a single-series aircraft.

Where you'll see it

Used by private and corporate operators in North America in small numbers.

Related aircraft

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