Andrew Wilson Hired as Technical Service Manager
Twin Commander Aircraft has hired Andrew Wilson, a longtime aircraft technician and proven maintenance manager, as the company’s new Aerospace Technical Engineer and Manager. He replaces Geoffrey Pence, who is retiring. Wilson comes most recently from Dynamic Aviation where he served as a Maintenance Controller and Flight Operations Support for a fleet of Beechcraft King Airs and Bombardier Dash 8s, and other various aircraft on many government contracts. He has experience in onsite technical support, quality assurance, international operations and regulations, government accountability, and hands-on airframe, engine, avionics, and hydraulic work. In addition to his work as a maintenance technician and manager, Wilson is a certificated pilot and a member of the US Military. He has served in the middle east several times on various aircraft and projects, with the Department of Defense. He credits his lifelong love of wrenching with working on dirt bikes, motorcycles, and cars, starting from age 6, when he did hill climbing and track riding. The Aerospace Technical Engineer and Manager position is the focal point for many important responsibilities at Twin Commander, but one of the most critical is as a conduit between the factory and the Factory Authorized Service Centers. Wilson will be relied on for expertise on parts, service techniques, and troubleshooting. He starts June 1 and will be relocating to Twin Commander headquarters in Creedmoor, North Carolina.
The company has also hired Pam Moore as a librarian. Moore’s duties will include vault and printed document maintenance, maintaining the owner list, subscription information, service bulletin communications, and yearly reporting requirements. Moore starts June 15.
FAA Extends Currencies During Pandemic
With the publication of a 94-page special regulation in early May the FAA extended certain medical, pilot certificate, and currency requirements in light of the ongoing worldwide coronavirus pandemic. In doing so the FAA acknowledged that some currencies and requirements would be hard to complete during state shutdowns and social distancing requirements. Medical certificates that expire between March 31 and May 31, 2020 are automatically extended to June 30. Flight review requirements are more complex. If your flight review expires between March 1 and June 30 of this year, and you have logged 10 hours as PIC in the previous 12 months, you can now act as PIC for three additional months beyond the expiration date, assuming you complete three Wings credits. Finally, instrument currency also extends to June 30, assuming you have logged three instrument approaches within the preceding six months and performed and logged the tasks required by Part 61.57(c)(1) in the preceding nine months. Unfortunately, maintenance requirements have not been extended, so while you may be able to fly under the SFAR your airplane may not. The FAA document has all the details.
Save Big on Spring/Summer Deals!
With much of the country still locked down in various stages and most business still being conducted remotely, now is the time to take advantage of multiple offers on parts from Twin Commander and Aircraft Belts. Custom Kit 170 is being heavily discounted at 25% off. The shoulder strap kit increases crew safety and maintains the value of your airplane. While you’re installing front shoulder harnesses, take advantage of a 15% discount on all passenger belts from ABI. Custom Kit 190, a big upgrade to LED interior cabin lighting, is being discounted 25% while supplies last. Finally, Custom Kit 50, an upgrade to the control column and rudder pedal boots to improve cabin pressurization performance, is also being discounted at 25% off. Talk to your favorite Twin Commander Factory Authorized Service Center about these great deals to improve the look, safety, performance, and value of your airplane.
Maintenance Training Continues
The folks at Eagle Creek Aviation Services made a slight change in March to ensure the company’s Twin Commander maintenance training continued. Normally held in person, the course has been switched to an online format. A spring course had to be cancelled, and future classes will be evaluated based on current community health standards and rules. The training is mandatory for Twin Commander technicians who work at a Factory Authorized Service Center. Type-specific maintenance training is one of the many benefits of taking your airplane to a Twin Commander Factory Authorized Service Center. Each class lasts a bit more than a week and covers all the airplane’s systems. For more information on upcoming classes contact Eagle Creek’s Mike Grabbe at 317-293-6935 or [email protected]
One-of-a-Kind Commander
A Twin Commander 680F is a pretty rare bird. One that has been in the same family for nearly 60 years is unheard of. Ricardo Otaola’s 1962 680F is one of a kind. The airplane was recently imported from Venezuela, where Otaola’s family first started flying Commanders, even owning a dealership and service facility at one point. Otaola’s 680F is one of many highlights of the Spring issue of Flight Levels Online. In this latest issue you can also read about loading flight plans into your Garmin, plan ahead for tropical escapes, learn what’s involved in painting a Twin Commander, and the history and culture of excellence of Twin Commander Factory Authorized Service Center Byerly Aviation.
Find the full issue online here.
New Book Looks at Twin Commander History
Stars and Commanders, a new book about the history of Ted Smith’s iconic designs, is now available. Author Dave Duntz has created a beautiful coffee table book with more than 600 pages of incredible photographs and stories of the people and places that cemented the Twin Commander and Aerostar as the greatest culmination of speed and efficiency on the market. Duntz describes the book as, “the story of Ted Smith, the unrivaled twin-engine aircraft designer of the 1950s and 60s. How his dream, passion and determination overcame setbacks and sorrow. How he started two successful aircraft companies from the ground up. How his prescience, engineering acumen and courage gave the world some of the best airplanes ever built.” The book is available for $169 from the author’s website at www.starsandcommanders.com
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