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Aero Commander (aircraft)
Unanswered Questions
Encyclopedia
The Aero Commander 500 is the first in a series of light-twin piston-engined aircraft originally built by the Aero Design and Engineering Company in the late 1940s. In 1950 it became the Aero Commander company, and a division of Rockwell International
from 1965. The initial production version was the Aero Commander 520. Versions manufactured after 1967 are known as the Shrike Commander.
, a project engineer at the Douglas Aircraft Company
. Douglas was not interested, so in 1944 a group of company engineers formed the Aero Design and Engineering Company to design and build the proposed aircraft. Originally the new company was going to build three pre-production aircraft but as the first aircraft was being built they decided to build just one prototype. The final configuration was completed in July 1946 and was designated the Model L3805.
Registered
NX1946 the prototype first flew on 23 April 1948. The L3805 accommodated up to five people and was powered by two Lycoming O-435-A piston engines., it was an all-metal high-wing monoplane
with retractable undercarriage
.
The prototype flew successfully and the company obtained finance to build a new factory at Bethany
near Oklahoma City
to build a production version named the Commander 520. The first production aircraft was rolled out of the new factory in August 1951.
this was changed to U-4 for the USAF and U-9 for the US Army
.
One U-4B became a presidential transport aircraft for Dwight Eisenhower between 1956
and 1960
. This was the smallest "Air Force One
", and the first to wear the now-familiar blue-and-white livery.
As of 2004, Shrike Commanders remained in service with the United States Coast Guard
and United States Customs Service
.
A single 560F was operated by the Belgian Air Force
as the personal transport of the late king Boudewijn from 1961 to 1973.
regulations for certification of the 500, they chose a novel method of demonstrating its single-engine safety and performance: they removed one of the two-bladed propellers, secured it in the aft cabin, and flew from Bethany to Washington D.C. on one engine. There they met with CAA personnel, then replaced the propeller and returned to Oklahoma in the conventional manner. The flight received nationwide coverage in the press.
and subsequent cracking, and was believed to have resulted in a number of fatal crashes.
From approximately 1961–1993, 24 aircraft crashed when spar failures caused the loss of the wing in flight. 35 more spars were found cracked during inspections.
died in his Aero Commander 680 while flying in a thunderstorm over Roanoke
, VA on May 28, 1971. Five others and the pilot were also killed.
On June 19, 1964, Senator Ted Kennedy was a passenger in a Aero Commander 680 airplane flying in bad weather from Washington to Massachusetts. It crashed into an apple orchard in the western Massachusetts
town of Southampton
on the final approach
to the Barnes Municipal Airport
in Westfield
. The pilot and Edward Moss, one of Kennedy's aides, were killed. Kennedy suffered a severe back injury, a punctured lung
, broken ribs and internal bleeding.
Aero Commander L.3805: Prototype, one built.
Aero Commander 520: First production version, a developed L.3805 with taller fin
and larger cabin with two 260 hp Lycoming GO-435-C engines, 150 built.
Aero Commander 560: Model 520 with swept tail, increased take-off weight, seven seats and more powerful engines (two Lycoming GO-480B engines) and refined wing, 80 built.
Aero Commander 560A: New undercarriage, stretched fuselage and other numerous refinements, 99 built.
Aero Commander 560E: Larger wings and greater payload, 93 built.
Aero Commander 360: Lightened version of the 560E with four seats and two 180 hp engines, one built.
Aero Commander 500: Economy version introduced in 1958
, a 560E with 250 hp Lycoming O-540-A engines, 101 built.
Aero Commander 500A: First Aero Commander
model - new nacelles to house fuel-injected engines, 99 built.
: 560E with fuel injected engines Lycoming IO-540 engines, 217 built.
Aero Commander 500U/Shrike Commander: 500B with pointed nose and squared off tail, two 290 hp Lycoming IO-540 engines, replaced 500A, 500B, 560F and 680F, 56 built.
Aero Commander 680 Super: Development of 560A with supercharged 340 hp Lycoming GSO-480-A engines and increased fuel capacity, 254 built.
Aero Commander 680E: Lightened 560E and 560A type undercarriage, 100 built.
Aero Commander 680F: 680E with new undercarriage and supercharged, fuel-injected Lycoming IGSO-540 engines and new nacelles, 126 built.
Aero Commander 680FP: Pressurized
version modified from 680F, 26 built.
Aero Commander 680FL Grand Commander: 680F with stretched fuselage and larger tail, 157 built. After 1967 known as the Courser Commander.
Aero Commander 680FL/P Grand Commander: Pressurized
version of 680FL, 37 built.
Aero Commander 680T Turbo Commander: 680FL/P with Garrett TPE331-43
turboprop
engines, 56 built.
Aero Commander 680V Turbo Commander: 680T with increased take off weight and slightly improved cargo capacity, 36 built.
Aero Commander 680W Turbo II Commander: 680V with pointed nose. squared off fin, one panoramic and two small cabin windows and weather radar, 46 built.
Rockwell 681 Hawk Commander: 680W with improved pressurisation, air conditioning system and nose, 43 built.
Rockwell 681B Turbo Commander: Marketing designation for economy version of the 681, 29 built.
Rockwell 685 Commander: 690 powered by two 435 hp Continental GTSIO-520K piston engines, 66 built.
Commander 690: 681 with new wing centre section and engines moved further outboard, two AirResearch TPE331-5-251K turboprops, 79 built.
Commander 690A: 690 with changed flightdeck layout and increased pressurisation, 245 built.
Commander 690B: 690A with improved soundproofing and internal lavatory, 217 built.
690C Jetprop840: 690B with increased wingspan, wet wing fuel tanks and winglets, two 840shp TPE331-5-254K turboprops, 136 built.
690D Jetprop900: Similar to 690C with internal rear cabin extension, improved pressurisation and five square cabin windows, 42 built.
695 Jetprop 980: Similar to 690C with 735shp TPE331-10-501K engines, 84 built.
695A Jetprop 1000: 690D with higher take off weight and more powerful TPE331-10-501K engines, 101 built.
695B Jetprop 1000B: 695A with minor changes, 6 built.
Aero Commander 720 AltiCruiser: Pressurized version of 680, 13 built.
YL-26 → YU-9A: Aero Commander 520 evaluated by the US Army, 3 built.
YL-26A: Aero Commander 560 evaluated by the US Air Force, 1 built.
L-26B → U-4A: Aero Commander 560A sold to the US Air Force, 14 built.
L-26B → U-9B: Aero Commander 560A sold to the US Army, 1 built.
L-26C → U-4B: Aero Commander 680 Super sold to the US Air Force, 2 built.
L-26C → U-9C: Aero Commander 680 Super sold to the US Army, 4 built.
RL-26D → RU-9D: Commander 680 for US Army aircraft fitted with SLAR (side looking airborne radar), two built.
NL-26D → NU-9D: One built
Air Force
Air Force
South Vietnam
Australia
Peru
Costa Rica
Serbia
United Kingdom
Brazil
Puerto Rico
Rockwell International
Rockwell International was a major American manufacturing conglomerate in the latter half of the 20th century, involved in aircraft, the space industry, both defense-oriented and commercial electronics, automotive and truck components, printing presses, valves and meters, and industrial automation....
from 1965. The initial production version was the Aero Commander 520. Versions manufactured after 1967 are known as the Shrike Commander.
Design and development
The idea for the type was conceived by Ted SmithTed R. Smith
Ted R. Smith was an American aircraft designer. He worked for the Douglas Aircraft Company, Aero Design and Engineering Company, and Rockwell Standard Corporation. In 40 years, his designs included the Douglas A-26 Invader , and the first all metal small twin engine business aircraft for Aero...
, a project engineer at the Douglas Aircraft Company
Douglas Aircraft Company
The Douglas Aircraft Company was an American aerospace manufacturer, based in Long Beach, California. It was founded in 1921 by Donald Wills Douglas, Sr. and later merged with McDonnell Aircraft in 1967 to form McDonnell Douglas...
. Douglas was not interested, so in 1944 a group of company engineers formed the Aero Design and Engineering Company to design and build the proposed aircraft. Originally the new company was going to build three pre-production aircraft but as the first aircraft was being built they decided to build just one prototype. The final configuration was completed in July 1946 and was designated the Model L3805.
Registered
Aircraft registration
An aircraft registration is a unique alphanumeric string that identifies a civil aircraft, in similar fashion to a licence plate on an automobile...
NX1946 the prototype first flew on 23 April 1948. The L3805 accommodated up to five people and was powered by two Lycoming O-435-A piston engines., it was an all-metal high-wing monoplane
Monoplane
A monoplane is a fixed-wing aircraft with one main set of wing surfaces, in contrast to a biplane or triplane. Since the late 1930s it has been the most common form for a fixed wing aircraft.-Types of monoplane:...
with retractable undercarriage
Undercarriage
The undercarriage or landing gear in aviation, is the structure that supports an aircraft on the ground and allows it to taxi, takeoff and land...
.
The prototype flew successfully and the company obtained finance to build a new factory at Bethany
Bethany, Oklahoma
Bethany is a city in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, United States, and a part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. The population was 20,307 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Bethany is located at ....
near Oklahoma City
Oklahoma city
Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma.Oklahoma City may also refer to:*Oklahoma City metropolitan area*Downtown Oklahoma City*Uptown Oklahoma City*Oklahoma City bombing*Oklahoma City National Memorial...
to build a production version named the Commander 520. The first production aircraft was rolled out of the new factory in August 1951.
Operational history
In military service, it was initially designated the L-26 though in 19621962 in aviation
This is a list of aviation-related events from 1962:- Events :* Early 1962 – In Operation High Jump, the United States Navy McDonnell F4H-1 Phantom II fighter sets a number of world climb-to altitude records: 34.523 seconds to 3,000 meters , 48.787 seconds to 6,000 meters , 61.629 seconds to...
this was changed to U-4 for the USAF and U-9 for the US Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
.
One U-4B became a presidential transport aircraft for Dwight Eisenhower between 1956
1956 in aviation
This is a list of aviation-related events from 1956:-February:* February 18 – An engine fire breaks out on a Scottish Airlines Avro York just after takeoff from Malta International Airport, Luqa, Malta...
and 1960
1960 in aviation
This is a list of aviation-related events from 1960:-January:* January 1 – Fiji Airways is reconstituted, becoming equally owned by BOAC, Qantas, and Tasman Empire Airways....
. This was the smallest "Air Force One
Air Force One
Air Force One is the official air traffic control call sign of any United States Air Force aircraft carrying the President of the United States. In common parlance the term refers to those Air Force aircraft whose primary mission is to transport the president; however, any U.S. Air Force aircraft...
", and the first to wear the now-familiar blue-and-white livery.
As of 2004, Shrike Commanders remained in service with the United States Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
and United States Customs Service
United States Customs Service
Until March 2003, the United States Customs Service was an agency of the U.S. federal government that collected import tariffs and performed other selected border security duties.Before it was rolled into form part of the U.S...
.
A single 560F was operated by the Belgian Air Force
Belgian Air Force
The Air Component, formerly the Belgian Air Force, is the air arm of the Belgian Armed Forces. Originally founded in 1909, it is one of the world's first air forces, and was a pioneer in aerial combat during the First World War...
as the personal transport of the late king Boudewijn from 1961 to 1973.
Single engine safety
In 1950, when the developers were working to satisfy CAACivil Aviation Authority
This is a list of national and supra-national civil aviation authorities.-See also:* Air route authority between the United States and the People's Republic of China* National Transportation Safety Board -External links:****...
regulations for certification of the 500, they chose a novel method of demonstrating its single-engine safety and performance: they removed one of the two-bladed propellers, secured it in the aft cabin, and flew from Bethany to Washington D.C. on one engine. There they met with CAA personnel, then replaced the propeller and returned to Oklahoma in the conventional manner. The flight received nationwide coverage in the press.
Wing spar fatigue
Beginning in June 1991, senior engineers met with FAA officials to discuss concerns over the Aero Commander's main wing spar, which was believed to be susceptible to stress fatigueFatigue (material)
'In materials science, fatigue is the progressive and localized structural damage that occurs when a material is subjected to cyclic loading. The nominal maximum stress values are less than the ultimate tensile stress limit, and may be below the yield stress limit of the material.Fatigue occurs...
and subsequent cracking, and was believed to have resulted in a number of fatal crashes.
From approximately 1961–1993, 24 aircraft crashed when spar failures caused the loss of the wing in flight. 35 more spars were found cracked during inspections.
Notable accidents
World War II hero and actor Audie MurphyAudie Murphy
Audie Leon Murphy was a highly decorated and famous soldier. Through LIFE magazine's July 16, 1945 issue , he became one the most famous soldiers of World War II and widely regarded as the most decorated American soldier of the war...
died in his Aero Commander 680 while flying in a thunderstorm over Roanoke
Roanoke, Virginia
Roanoke is an independent city in the Mid-Atlantic U.S. state of Virginia and is the tenth-largest city in the Commonwealth. It is located in the Roanoke Valley of the Roanoke Region of Virginia. The population within the city limits was 97,032 as of 2010...
, VA on May 28, 1971. Five others and the pilot were also killed.
On June 19, 1964, Senator Ted Kennedy was a passenger in a Aero Commander 680 airplane flying in bad weather from Washington to Massachusetts. It crashed into an apple orchard in the western Massachusetts
Western Massachusetts
Western Massachusetts is a loosely defined geographical region of the U.S. state of Massachusetts which contains the Berkshires, the Pioneer Valley, and some or all of the Swift River Valley. The region is always considered to include Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden counties, and the...
town of Southampton
Southampton, Massachusetts
Southampton is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. It was established first as a district of Northampton in 1753. It was incorporated in 1753. The name Southampton was given to it during its first town meeting in 1773. Its ZIP code is 01073...
on the final approach
Final approach (aviation)
A final approach is the last leg in an aircraft's approach to landing. In aviation radio terminology, it is often shortened to "final".In a standard airport landing pattern, which is usually used under visual meteorological conditions , aircraft turn from base leg to final within one to two miles...
to the Barnes Municipal Airport
Barnes Municipal Airport
Barnes Municipal Airport , also known as Westfield-Barnes Airport, is a tower-controlled joint civil-military public airport located three miles north of the central business district of Westfield, a city in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. This airport is owned by City of Westfield...
in Westfield
Westfield, Massachusetts
Westfield is a city in Hampden County, in the Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts, United States. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 41,094 at the 2010 census. The ZIP Code is 01085 for homes and businesses, 01086 for Westfield State...
. The pilot and Edward Moss, one of Kennedy's aides, were killed. Kennedy suffered a severe back injury, a punctured lung
Pneumothorax
Pneumothorax is a collection of air or gas in the pleural cavity of the chest between the lung and the chest wall. It may occur spontaneously in people without chronic lung conditions as well as in those with lung disease , and many pneumothoraces occur after physical trauma to the chest, blast...
, broken ribs and internal bleeding.
Variants
Aero Commander 520: First production version, a developed L.3805 with taller fin
Vertical stabilizer
The vertical stabilizers, vertical stabilisers, or fins, of aircraft, missiles or bombs are typically found on the aft end of the fuselage or body, and are intended to reduce aerodynamic side slip. It is analogical to a skeg on boats and ships.On aircraft, vertical stabilizers generally point upwards...
and larger cabin with two 260 hp Lycoming GO-435-C engines, 150 built.
Aero Commander 560: Model 520 with swept tail, increased take-off weight, seven seats and more powerful engines (two Lycoming GO-480B engines) and refined wing, 80 built.
Aero Commander 560A: New undercarriage, stretched fuselage and other numerous refinements, 99 built.
Aero Commander 560E: Larger wings and greater payload, 93 built.
Aero Commander 360: Lightened version of the 560E with four seats and two 180 hp engines, one built.
Aero Commander 500: Economy version introduced in 1958
1958 in aviation
This is a list of aviation-related events from 1958:- Events :* Gulfstream Aerospace is founded in Savannah, Georgia, in the United States.* The Argentine Navy acquires its first aircraft carrier by purchasing HMS Warrior from the United Kingdom....
, a 560E with 250 hp Lycoming O-540-A engines, 101 built.
Aero Commander 500A: First Aero Commander
Aero Commander (aircraft manufacturer)
Aero Commander was an aircraft manufacturer formed in 1944. In subsequent years it became a subsidiary of Rockwell International and Gulfstream Aerospace. The company ceased aircraft production in 1986.-History:...
model - new nacelles to house fuel-injected engines, 99 built.
: 560E with fuel injected engines Lycoming IO-540 engines, 217 built.
Aero Commander 500U/Shrike Commander: 500B with pointed nose and squared off tail, two 290 hp Lycoming IO-540 engines, replaced 500A, 500B, 560F and 680F, 56 built.
Aero Commander 680 Super: Development of 560A with supercharged 340 hp Lycoming GSO-480-A engines and increased fuel capacity, 254 built.
Aero Commander 680E: Lightened 560E and 560A type undercarriage, 100 built.
Aero Commander 680F: 680E with new undercarriage and supercharged, fuel-injected Lycoming IGSO-540 engines and new nacelles, 126 built.
Aero Commander 680FP: Pressurized
Cabin pressurization
Cabin pressurization is the pumping of compressed air into an aircraft cabin to maintain a safe and comfortable environment for crew and passengers when flying at altitude.-Need for cabin pressurization:...
version modified from 680F, 26 built.
Aero Commander 680FL Grand Commander: 680F with stretched fuselage and larger tail, 157 built. After 1967 known as the Courser Commander.
Aero Commander 680FL/P Grand Commander: Pressurized
Cabin pressurization
Cabin pressurization is the pumping of compressed air into an aircraft cabin to maintain a safe and comfortable environment for crew and passengers when flying at altitude.-Need for cabin pressurization:...
version of 680FL, 37 built.
Aero Commander 680T Turbo Commander: 680FL/P with Garrett TPE331-43
Garrett AiResearch TPE-331
|-See also:-External links:* * *...
turboprop
Turboprop
A turboprop engine is a type of turbine engine which drives an aircraft propeller using a reduction gear.The gas turbine is designed specifically for this application, with almost all of its output being used to drive the propeller...
engines, 56 built.
Aero Commander 680V Turbo Commander: 680T with increased take off weight and slightly improved cargo capacity, 36 built.
Aero Commander 680W Turbo II Commander: 680V with pointed nose. squared off fin, one panoramic and two small cabin windows and weather radar, 46 built.
Rockwell 681 Hawk Commander: 680W with improved pressurisation, air conditioning system and nose, 43 built.
Rockwell 681B Turbo Commander: Marketing designation for economy version of the 681, 29 built.
Rockwell 685 Commander: 690 powered by two 435 hp Continental GTSIO-520K piston engines, 66 built.
Commander 690: 681 with new wing centre section and engines moved further outboard, two AirResearch TPE331-5-251K turboprops, 79 built.
Commander 690A: 690 with changed flightdeck layout and increased pressurisation, 245 built.
Commander 690B: 690A with improved soundproofing and internal lavatory, 217 built.
690C Jetprop840: 690B with increased wingspan, wet wing fuel tanks and winglets, two 840shp TPE331-5-254K turboprops, 136 built.
690D Jetprop900: Similar to 690C with internal rear cabin extension, improved pressurisation and five square cabin windows, 42 built.
695 Jetprop 980: Similar to 690C with 735shp TPE331-10-501K engines, 84 built.
695A Jetprop 1000: 690D with higher take off weight and more powerful TPE331-10-501K engines, 101 built.
695B Jetprop 1000B: 695A with minor changes, 6 built.
Aero Commander 720 AltiCruiser: Pressurized version of 680, 13 built.
YL-26 → YU-9A: Aero Commander 520 evaluated by the US Army, 3 built.
YL-26A: Aero Commander 560 evaluated by the US Air Force, 1 built.
L-26B → U-4A: Aero Commander 560A sold to the US Air Force, 14 built.
L-26B → U-9B: Aero Commander 560A sold to the US Army, 1 built.
L-26C → U-4B: Aero Commander 680 Super sold to the US Air Force, 2 built.
L-26C → U-9C: Aero Commander 680 Super sold to the US Army, 4 built.
RL-26D → RU-9D: Commander 680 for US Army aircraft fitted with SLAR (side looking airborne radar), two built.
NL-26D → NU-9D: One built
Military operators
- Argentine Air ForceArgentine Air ForceThe Argentine Air Force is the national aviation branch of the Armed Forces of the Argentine Republic. , it had 14,606 military and 6,854 civilian staff.-History:...
(500U)
- Belgian Air ForceBelgian Air ForceThe Air Component, formerly the Belgian Air Force, is the air arm of the Belgian Armed Forces. Originally founded in 1909, it is one of the world's first air forces, and was a pioneer in aerial combat during the First World War...
(1 x 560F)
Air Force
Military of Benin
The Benin Armed Forces constitutes the army, navy, air force, and national gendarmerie of Benin. For a number of years, the Belgian Armed Forces have had an active programme of co-operation with Benin, offering training and coaching, donating redundant military equipment and using the county for...
Air Force
Military of Burkina Faso
The branches of Burkina Faso's military include its Army, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Police, and People's Militia. Being a landlocked country, Burkina Faso has no navy....
- Ejército (EJC)Colombian National Army AviationThe Colombian National Army Aviation is an aviation combat arms unit in the Colombian National Army. Its history dates back to December 31, 1919, but was not fully developed until August 25, 1995 when this unit is officially activated under the name "Aviación Ejército" The Army Aviation was...
- Fuerza Aérea de Colombia (FAC)Colombian Air ForceThe Colombian Air Force or FAC is the Air Force of the Republic of Colombia.The Colombian Air Force is one of the three institutions of the Armed Forces of Colombia, charge according to the 1991 Constitution of the work to exercise and maintain control of Colombia's airspace to defend the...
- Dominican Air ForceDominican Air ForceThe Air Force of the Dominican Republic or Fuerza Aérea Dominicana, is one of the three branches of the Military of the Dominican Republic, together with the Army and the Navy.- History :...
- Air Force of HondurasMilitary of Honduras-pre-1979:During the twentieth century, Honduran military leaders frequently became presidents, either through elections or by coups d'état. General Tiburcio Carías Andino was elected in 1932, he later on called a constituent assembly that allowed him to be reelected, and his rule became more...
- Greek Air Force
- Greek Navy
- Air Force of GuatemalaMilitary of GuatemalaThe Military of Guatemala consists of National Army of Guatemala , the Guatemalan Navy and the Guatemalan Air Force ....
- Indonesian Air ForceIndonesian Air ForceThe Indonesian Air Force is the air force branch of the Indonesian National Armed Forces.The Indonesian Air Force has 34,930 personnel equipped with 110 combat aircraft including Su-27 and Su-30.-Before Indonesian independence :...
- Indonesian ArmyIndonesian ArmyThe Indonesian Army , the land component of the Indonesian Armed Forces, has an estimated strength of 328,517 regular personnel. The force's history began in 1945 when the Tentara Keamanan Rakyat "Civil Security Forces" served as paramilitary and police.Since the nation's independence struggle,...
- Imperial Iranian Air Force
- Islamic Republic of Iran ArmyIslamic Republic of Iran ArmyThe Islamic Republic of Iran Army is the ground force of the Military of Islamic Republic of Iran. In Iran, it is also called Artesh, which is Persian for "army." As of 2007, the regular Iranian Army was estimated to have 465,000 personnel plus around 350,000 reservists for a total of 815,000...
- Islamic Republic of Iran NavyIslamic Republic of Iran NavyThe Iranian Navy has traditionally been the smallest branch of Iran's armed forces and is designed mainly for securing its own ports and coast.- Overview :...
- Kenyan Air Force
- South Korean Air Force
- Lebanese Air ForceLebanese Air ForceThe Lebanese Air Force is the aerial warfare branch of the Lebanese Armed Forces. The seal of the air force is constituted of a Roundel with two wings and a Lebanese Cedar tree, surrounded by two laurel leaves on a blue background.-History:...
- Mexican Air ForceMexican Air ForceThe Mexican Air Force is the aviation branch of the Mexican Army and depends on the National Defense Secretariat . Since 2008, its commander is Gen...
- Mexican NavyMexican NavyThe Mexican Navy is the naval branch of the Mexican military responsible for conducting naval operations. Its stated mission is "to use the naval force of the federation for the exterior defense, and to help with internal order". The Navy consists of about 56,000 men and women plus reserves, over...
- Pakistan ArmyPakistan ArmyThe Pakistan Army is the branch of the Pakistani Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The Pakistan Army came into existence after the Partition of India and the resulting independence of Pakistan in 1947. It is currently headed by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The Pakistan...
- Peru Air Force
- Royal Thai Air ForceRoyal Thai Air ForceThe Royal Thai Air Force or RTAF is the air force of the Kingdom of Thailand. Since its establishment in 1913, as one of the earliest air forces of Asia, the Royal Thai Air Force had engaged in many major and minor battles. During the Vietnam war era, the air force has been developed with USAF-aid...
- Royal Thai Army
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationNational Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationThe National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , pronounced , like "noah", is a scientific agency within the United States Department of Commerce focused on the conditions of the oceans and the atmosphere...
- United States Air ForceUnited States Air ForceThe United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
- United States ArmyUnited States ArmyThe United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
- United States Coast GuardUnited States Coast GuardThe United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
- Uruguayan Air ForceUruguayan Air ForceThe Uruguayan Air Force is one of the three main branches of the Armed Forces of Uruguay under the Uruguayan Ministry of Defense. The current head of the force is General of the Air Enrique A...
South Vietnam
- Vietnam Air ForceVietnam Air ForceThe Vietnam Air Force began with a few hand-picked men chosen to fly alongside French pilots during the State of Vietnam era. It eventually grew into the world’s sixth largest air force at the height of its power, in 1974...
Civil operators
- CenterLine Aerospace INC Aerial Surveys
- United States Customs ServiceUnited States Customs ServiceUntil March 2003, the United States Customs Service was an agency of the U.S. federal government that collected import tariffs and performed other selected border security duties.Before it was rolled into form part of the U.S...
- Central Air Southwest – Kansas City, MO
- Clemson UniversityClemson UniversityClemson University is an American public, coeducational, land-grant, sea-grant, research university located in Clemson, South Carolina, United States....
Australia Peru
- Tecnológica de Alimentos S.A. (TASA)
Costa Rica
- Government support, law enforcement and civil duties
Serbia
- FORTIS Air
United Kingdom- Scillonian Airways
- Centerline Aerospace Aerial Surveys
Brazil
- Real Transportes AéreosReal Transportes AéreosReal Transportes Aéreos was a Brazilian airline founded in 1945. It was merged into Varig in 1961, when Varig bought the Consórcio Real-Aerovias-Nacional, of which Real was the main carrier....
Puerto Rico
- Aerolineas de PoncePrinairPrinair was a Puerto Rican airline. It was Puerto Rico's domestic and international flag carrier airline for almost two decades.- History :Services began in 1966, under the name Aerolíneas de Ponce , with Aero Commanders...