SIMCOM'S TWIN COMMANDER SIMS READY BY MID-JANUARY

SimCom Training Centers says it now expects to have its new Twin Commander motion simulator-based training program up and running at its Dallas center by mid-January 2012.

SimCom, which bought the 690 and JetProp 1000 motion simulators and pilot training programs from FlightSafety International, had hoped to have the simulators and training programs FAA-approved and operational by the end of 2011. When SimCom acquired the Dallas facility in November 2011, it had a Citation II Level A simulator and a King Air 200 Flight Training Device (FTD). SimCom then bought five FTDs, including a Turbo Commander, from CAE SimuFlite, and moved them to the Dallas center. In September 2011 SimCom began expanding its Dallas center further by installing seven of the 14 simulators and FTDs it bought from FSI, including the two Commander simulators.

"While our installation plan was aggressive, it was considered achievable and designed to minimize the interruption to our customers," Tracy Brannon, SimCom’s COO, said. "Unfortunately, we were delayed by unexpected permitting issues. Those issues are now behind us, and we expect FAA evaluation of the two Turbo Commander devices to take place in early January."

Customers who have a mandatory training event due prior to mid-January can train in the FTD, or even in the airplane. "We will do whatever we can to accommodate customers’ schedules," Brannon said.

When the two Commander simulators are online, SimCom will offer customers a choice of training in either a simulator or the FTD, with the FTD-based training costing somewhat less. SimCom also will be able to accommodate Part 135 charter operators, who must do a portion of initial and recurrent training in the airplane, Brannon said.

For more information contact SimCom Training Centers at 800-272-0211 or
407-275-1050, or visit the company's website at www.simcom.com.

SECOND GRAND RENAISSANCE FOR COLOMBIAN ARMY

The second of two Grand Renaissance Twin Commanders has been delivered to the Colombian Army by Eagle Creek Aviation Services, which performed the work. The first Colombian Grand Renaissance was delivered in August.

The two Grand Renaissance Twin Commanders—a Jetprop 980 (model 695) and, more recently, a 1000 (695A)—will serve dual roles in the Colombian Army as military executive transports and medevac aircraft.

Along with the extensive Grand Renaissance upgrade, Eagle Creek completed service bulletin work, interior refurbishments, and managed the exterior repainting of the two aircraft. Both aircraft received an extensive avionics panel upgrade including dual Garmin G600 Flight Displays; Garmin touch-screen GTN750 and 650 Comm, Nav, and GPS units; Garmin GMA 35 Audio Panel; dual Garmin GTX 33 Transponders; Garmin GWX68 Weather Radar; and a Meggitt Avionics Engine Instruments Display System. Eagle Creek devoted about 11 months and an estimated 14,000 man-hours to the two Grand Renaissance makeovers.

Twin Commander Aircraft has an interactive website that shows the extent of the work scope that goes into a Grand Renaissance completion (go to Grand Renaissance website) and the value that the finished airplane offers.

"We are extremely pleased with the results of the two Grand Renaissance completions for the Colombian Army," said Matt Hagans, Eagle Creek’s CEO. "They look, fly, and perform like brand new aircraft. They will serve the Colombian Army well for years to come."

"Congratulations to Eagle Creek on their superb performance in completing and delivering the two Grand Renaissance Twin Commanders," commented Twin Commander Aircraft LLC President Matt Isley. "Eagle Creek has been a leader in Grand Renaissance completions for both individual owners and government and military operators. The Grand Renaissance appeals to the full spectrum of operators because of its overall value. That’s why we are seeing continued interest in the program both domestically and internationally."

The delivery of the second Colombian airplane marks the fourth Grand Renaissance completion for Eagle Creek in less than three years. The Mexican Navy took delivery of a Grand Renaissance last year, and in early 2009 Eagle Creek delivered one to the County of Kern, California.

NATIONAIR NAMES NEW MANAGER FOR TWIN PROGRAM

Dale Barnard is the new representative for NationAir Aviation Insurance’s Twin Commander Aircraft preferred insurance program. NationAir offers exclusive access to the Twin Commander insurance program for owners and operators and service and sales centers. The company also is a strong advocate of mentoring and training for new Twin Commander pilots, and an important supporter of the Twin Commander University.

Barnard has 27 years of aviation insurance experience, and true enthusiasm for Twin Commanders and the people who fly them. At NationAir he has long specialized in developing single-pilot aircraft transition programs, and has represented aviation clients around the world.

A graduate of Oregon State University, Barnard is a former officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, and managed historic aircraft restorations for Crawford Auto Aviation Museum. Today he divides his interests among serving as an EAA Flight Leader and hunting, fishing, and skiing on water and snow.

Barnard can be reached at 800-552-3174 or at dbarnard@nationair.com. For more information on the preferred program, see www.twincommander.com/insurance.html.

NORTH TO ALASKA—IN A TWIN COMMANDER

Alaska may not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking in mid-winter about a travel adventure, but it’s not always frozen in Alaska, where the state slogan is "Beyond Your Dreams, Within Your Reach." In fact, Alaska by Twin Commander is a great concept.

"This past summer my wife and I took our Commander 980 from Boston to Alaska. Bottom line is I fell in love with the place!" So said David Tenenbaum in an early December post on Twin Commander’s Community Forum in the "Commander Travels" section. (Go to www.twincommander.com and click on the "Join the Discussion" button.)

"We overnighted in Anchorage, actually rented a loft over a hangar at the airport," Tenenbaum continued. "Checked out the Lake Hood seaplane base, then headed to Denali first thing the next (thankfully, severe clear and windless) morning. We had studied the maps around Mt. McKinley before leaving...and went up the Ruth Glacier starting at 6,000 feet and ended up lapping the summit at just under 18,000. Then landed at Healey River, spent a few days in a lodge in the Denali Park, hiking and biking. Flew from there to Homer, drove to Seward and spent three days there (hiked to a glacier, helo ride to ride a dogsled team on another glacier, boat trip to see Orcas, humpbacks, dolphins, seals). Then flew to King Salmon; then via floatplane to Brooks Lodge to see bears."

Tenenbaum’s enthusiasm was matched a day later by Buddy Herzog, who posted this: "Flown to Alaska three times in my 840. Gone as far as Nome and Fairbanks. One of the best airplane trips. We had no specific itinerary. Decided where we go next on an ad hoc, day-to-to-day basis. Alaska is spectacular. Unbelievable vistas, especially special when viewed from the air in your own aircraft. The glaciers and mountains and multiple 16,000-foot-plus peaks are indescribably fabulous. A Turbo Commander is ideally suited for an aviation Alaska adventure. I would go back over and over; can't get enough of the place. It is so majestic."

Tenenbaum went on to say that "You have to watch the weather and be adaptable (we had planned to land at Seward but the weather didn't cooperate, so we headed back to Homer), and a lot of preparation is wise (there are webcams online at pretty much every Alaskan airport so you can see actual conditions before taking off), but otherwise felt safe and well supported. The place is amazing, there are moose everywhere, we saw salmon running, aviation is huge in Alaska, and all in all, it lived up to and exceeded our expectations as one of our dream trips."

Their travelogues were prompted by a post from Dave Gerrish, who wrote, "I have been thinking about joining an Air Journey trip to Alaska next June. A long way from Virginia, but probably a trip of a lifetime for myself and my family. It would be wonderful if there were enough interest from the Twin Commander community that we put the trip together for us Commander drivers. I don't know how many it would take, but now seems like the time to explore that possibility...Please give it some thought and let me know."

You can respond to Gerrish’s request by going to the Community Forum, and you can see what Air Journey is proposing in the way of an escorted trip to Alaska by going here: http://www.airjourney.com/journey_detai ... djourney=5

AID GROUP HOPING FOR MERRY CHRISTMAS FOR HAITIAN CHILDREN

Airlift Flyers Aviation, a Miami-based humanitarian relief organization focused on sending medical equipment, water purification systems, and hygiene kits to Haiti, has taken on a new holiday mission—delivering donated Christmas gifts to children in the earthquake-devastated country. "A load of toys is piling up waiting for a lift to Haiti's Port-au-Prince International (MTTP) airport," says Airlift Flyers Aviation Corp. (ALFA) Coordinator Rick Sante. "We need a Santa Crew and a fixed-wing sleigh to airlift the precious cargo."

Sante says the Twin Commander community "can make the difference in getting the toys airborne before Christmas. It's all for the sake of kids bearing the scars of the horrific earthquake, many of them in orphanages and others still living in cramped shacks and tents."

According to Sante, ALFA has some 1,000 soccer balls, teddy bears, Lego sets, and educational games that have been donated, with more to come. "The toys are not gift-wrapped but should be boxed for transport and will be individually presented in pristine, factory-packaged condition to each boy and girl," he says. The gifts should be flown to Haiti by December 20-22 to ensure the shipment clears Haitian customs in time for distribution Christmas morning.

"We’re calling on schedulers and flight departments, pilots and aircraft operators and owners," Sante says. "We'll arrange trucking the toys to any hangar, ramp, or FBO. Loading should take about an hour. Ground time at Port-au-Prince about an hour as well. If fuel cost is a decisive concern we may seek and get a steep discount or free top-off. And, remember, the direct flight expenses may be accounted as tax-deductible contributions to a 501(c)(3) charity."

Sante asks that anyone capable of helping on this or future relief missions contact him at rick@alfa.aero, or telephone 305-470-1500; cell 305-607-4282.

HOLIDAY GIFTS FROM TWIN COMMANDER

Still looking for holiday gifts to give—or receive? Check out Twin Commander clothing and other items available from Lands' End. The exclusive Lands' End Twin Commander online catalog includes a full range of men's and women's apparel, cases, bags, totes, towels, throws, and other gear, many of which can be embroidered with the distinctive Twin Commander logo.

Plus, when you register with the site you'll receive offers for discounted Twin Commander merchandise and deals on embroidery.

To view the complete catalog, go to the Twin Commander Aircraft LLC website and click on the "Commander Gear" button at the bottom of the home page or click here.