Rockwell Commander Turbo 680

Twin Turboprop· 1 globally registered

The Aero Commander 680 is a twin-engine piston utility aircraft that became a workhorse for corporate, government, and charter operators from the late 1950s through the 1980s. Built by Aero Design and Engineering Company (later absorbed into Rockwell), the 680 series featured a distinctive high wing, tricycle landing gear, and pressurized cabin seating six to eight passengers. Its rugged construction and reliable Lycoming engines made it popular with state agencies, air ambulance services, and small airlines operating in challenging environments where jet economics didn't pencil out. The type earned a reputation for dependability in roles ranging from executive transport to aerial survey work, with many airframes accumulating tens of thousands of hours over decades of service. The 680's operating envelope reflects its utility mission: a never-exceed speed of 230 knots, normal cruise around 190 knots, and relatively benign stall characteristics with full flaps at 69 knots. Maximum takeoff weight of 6,750 pounds allowed useful loads sufficient for full fuel and passengers on typical missions under 500 nautical miles. While not fast by turboprop standards, the Commander's pressurization system enabled comfortable cruising altitudes above most weather, and its twin-engine redundancy provided safety margins valued by operators flying over mountainous terrain or remote areas. Production continued through various model improvements until the early 1980s, with several hundred examples built. SkyMeter has tracked 1 flights across 1 airframes and 1 operators, with AFK CORP the largest observed operator.