TWIN COMMANDER UNIVERSITY UPDATE

With just about a month to go before the 11th Twin Commander University convenes, it’s time to matriculate if you haven’t already.

The three-day University begins Thursday, April 25 at the Scottsdale Marriott at McDowell Mountains just north of the Scottsdale, Arizona, Airport. More information about the seminar-rich conference, and an online registration form, can be found at www.twincommander.com. There’s also a link to a Marriott website where you can reserve your accommodations.

The Scottsdale Marriott is an attractive, full-service resort with all amenities including an onsite spa. It is within minutes of world-class golfing (the University Club Benders Scramble will take place Thursday on the great Camelback Golf Club), shopping, dining, and Arizona’s beautiful natural attractions. A university-style dormitory it is not.

Waiting to book your room at the Marriott could result in problems. March 29 is the cutoff date for reserving rooms in Twin Commander’s block at the University’s reduced daily rate. After March 29 the hotel cannot guarantee room availability or rate.

If you have children you’ve surely reminded them to get cracking on making arrangements for an important upcoming event like going off to university. Now it’s your turn to be reminded.

EAM – YOUR AIRPLANE’S UNIVERSITY HOME AWAY FROM HOME

You want to be comfortable while attending and enjoying the Twin Commander University. Why not demand the same for your airplane.

Executive Aircraft Maintenance (EAM), a factory authorized Twin Commander Service Center based at Scottsdale Airport (KSDL), is the host service center for the upcoming University. If you are flying yourself to Scottsdale for the University, plan on working with EAM to park and care for your Twin Commander.

EAM has arranged for University attendees to initially park at Scottsdale Air Center (SAC) on the northeast side of Runway 3 directly across the runway from EAM. SAC will tow the Commanders over to EAM’s ramp for parking during the University weekend. You can gain access to your aircraft through EAM’s offices/hangar during normal business hours, and through SAC after hours.

SAC is offering Commander owners a $1.50 per gallon discount on Avfuel. You can rent a vehicle through SAC for the University, and you can arrange to have your Commander washed/detailed or polymer treated by West Coast Wash Station. All of this information, plus contact information for EAM and SAC, can be viewed at http://www.eamaz.com/Twin_Commander_University.html.

The link also has a map showing the locations for EAM, SAC, and the Scottsdale Marriott at McDowell Mountains, where the University will be held.

EAM is a full-service Twin Commander Service Center and can perform inspections, upgrades, maintenance, and repairs on all model Twin Commanders.

To arrange comfortable lodging for your Twin Commander during the University, contact EAM at 480-991-0900; fax 480-991-3067, or click on the link above.

WANT TO BE MORE CONSPICUOUS? BETTER GET CK 182

Spring has officially sprung, and along with warmer weather we are enjoying daylight that increases about two minutes per day. But just because the sun rises earlier and sets later each day doesn’t mean there is less of a need for exterior lighting on your Twin Commander.

An important element of collision avoidance is conspicuity – making your aircraft more visible to other pilots – and the best way to be at your most conspicuous is with exterior lighting that will gain the attention of any aircraft on a converging course. That’s why you should consider installing Custom Kit (CK) 182 High-Intensity Discharge (HID) recognition lights.

The nose-mounted lights in CK 182 are far more efficient and effective than the previous generation of recogs, offering more candlepower at less amperage.

CK 182 is available in several versions for installation on most Twin Commander models, including all turboprops. CK 182-1 is for new installations on models 500S, 680W, 681, 685, 690, 690A and 690B. The Dash 3 kit is for airplanes that have the CK 151 recognition lights kit. The Dash 7 kit is for JetProp models (690C, 690D, 695, 695A, and 695B).

Contact an authorized Twin Commander Service Center for details, and to order and install CK 182.

SOUND OFF: SINGLE OR TWO-PILOT?

For our Sound Off poll this month we’re asking how you operate your Twin Commander in terms of crew complement.

COMMANDER OWNERS GO INTERNATIONAL

Our February Sound Off poll was on international flying. We asked if you have made a trip in your Twin Commander to a destination outside U.S. borders, and the vast majority of respondents – 79 percent – said they have.

Next we asked where you’ve flown internationally. The Caribbean was the most popular international destination, with 47 percent of respondents saying they have flown to Puerto Rico, Jamaica, the Turks & Caicos, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, or other Caribbean Islands. Tied for second on the list of most popular destinations were Central and/or South America, and the Bahamas.

Europe or other destinations involving an Atlantic crossing tied for third place with Canada. In fourth and last place among international destinations visited by Twin Commander owners was Mexico.

Thank you for participating in our Sound Off polls. Please be assured that we do not collect or distribute names or email addresses of respondents.