Rockwell 685 (Aero Commander 685)
Aero Commander · United States · first flew 1971 · light aircraft
The Rockwell 685 (marketed as the Aero Commander 685) was a twin-engine high-wing piston executive transport introduced in the early 1970s, offering turbocharged performance and a pressurised cabin to business travellers. It was the top-of-the-line piston model in the Commander family.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 13.08 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Twin-engine pressurised high-wing business piston twin
- Counter-rotating Continental TSIO-520 engines in long nacelles
- Large oval airstair cabin door on the left side
Distinctive high-wing twin with tapered wings, twin engine nacelles, a large oval cabin door, and a conventional tail; the pressurised fuselage is noticeably deeper than earlier unpressurised Commander models.
Specifications
- The Rockwell 685 (Aero Commander 685) has a length of 13.08 m (43 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 14.19 m (47 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 449 km/h (279 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The Aero Commander line originated with the 520 in the early 1950s and grew into a family of high-wing twins. By the time the 685 appeared in 1971, Rockwell had acquired the Commander brand; the model featured turbocharged Continental TSIO-520 engines and a pressurised cabin, competing with the Cessna 421 and Piper Navajo Chieftain.
Variants
The 685 was the pressurised pinnacle of the piston Commander family; the turboprop-powered Commander 700 and 840 were later successors.
Where you'll see it
Operated by business owners and charter operators across North America throughout the 1970s; examples remain in private hands today.
Related aircraft
- Commander 700
- Aero Commander Lark Commander 180
- American Aviation AA-5
- CERVA CE.43 Guépard
- Cessna 340
- Cessna XMC
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