Southeast Commander Owners Fly-in

When I woke up this morning, I was a little torn about what to do today. I knew what I wanted to do, but I wasn't sure that my family, including my mom, who is visiting from Ohio this weekend, would enjoy what I had planned. I got out of bed, looked out the window, and immediately knew that I must take the family to River Ranch airport outside Lake Wales to meet some of the southeast Commander owners.

Earlier this week, Tom Ewing sent me an email inviting me to the fly-in. I wasn't sure at the time how my name got included, but I responded with a firm 'I'd love to, but we'll have to wait and see'. I was sick at the time, and I wasn't sure what else we might have planned for today.

The plan was for pilots to arrive between 9:30 and 10:30AM. I rallied the troops, programmed the GPS, and was on the road with a planned ETA of 9:30. When we arrived, Tom was already on the ground with his friend Sam. Richard Rolland was next to arrive in N4874W. I couldn't help notice how close the tail number is to our plane - N4857W. I later asked him about it and he told me his serial number. His plane rolled off the assembly line 17 planes after ours.

Richard's beautiful Commander 114

Although clear and sunny, it was a bit chilly outside, so we retreated into the FBO to get warm for a few minutes. I asked Tom how he picked me and he told me that he went through the list of members on the Commander Owners Group forum and sent an email to everyone in Florida. After a while, Jeffrey Boccaccio arrived in N1408J - a Commander 112A Hot Shot - and Pat & Kiko Picornell arrived in N1977J - a Commander 114.

Tom said that everyone he expected had arrived, so they arranged for some golf carts and we drove to the resort's restaurant; about a mile away. The restaurant was great. It had equal seating inside and outside on a large porch overlooking the Kississimee River. Breakfast included an omelette bar and a fresh waffle station.

After breakfast, we gathered for a quick group picture before heading back to the FBO.

Sam, Kiko, Tom, Jeffrey, Richard, Pat, and David

Back at the airport, everyone walked from plane to plane while the owner described his upgrades or problems and everyone else oohed and ahhed, or offered advice on how to fix a problem or find a part. It was very interesting to note that there were three different types of 3-blade propellers. Pat & Kiko's was by far the coolest with its custom paint job. Everyone was interested in Richard's wing tip LED recognition lights. I was most amused listening to Pat & Kiko discuss their wish list as more and more items were potentially being added.

I think the rarest and therefore the most interesting item was N6024P. It had arrived late and I didn't get a chance to meet the owner, who was now at the restaurant. This plane is a Commander 114B with the 'Super Commander' upgrade. As far as I know, there have been less than 10 conversions made so far. I think everyone wanted to go for a flight in this plane.

As you would expect, Andrew wanted to get inside the planes. First we asked Pat and she agreed to letting us look inside. What a fabulous interior. I don't think I've ever felt softer leather. Then we asked Richard and he agreed. Andrew wanted me to close the door so he could look out the opening in the side window, which by the way, was new, made from thicker-than-normal plastic, and looked fantastic.

On the way home, I asked if everyone had fun. I was especially curious what Mom would think of these folks. Some people think of GA pilots as rich and flamboyant people rolling in money, but that is generally far from the truth. Aircraft owners, in my opinion, are hard working folks who have a passion for aviation. Instead of fancy homes or RV's, they spend their extra money on their airplane and fly to their vacation destinations. Mom told me that she thought the owners were all very nice, easy to talk to people, like anyone else you might meet.

So, even though I didn't have the pleasure of actually flying in to the fly-in, I totally enjoyed my first Commander Owner's get together. It was also good to see that the old adage that GA pilots are all part of a big, happy, helpful, and sharing family is absolutely true. I'm looking forward to the next get together. There was some talk of flying into Vero Beach. Now that would certainly be convenient for us!