N165M

N165M is a Rockwell International 500S, a twin-engine piston aircraft operated by SMITH STEVEN J. SkyMeter has tracked 206 flights totalling 65 hours of airtime via ADS-B. The most frequent segment is LL10 to LL10. Service window in our records spans 503 days. Of those flights, 54 (26.2%) carry at least one detected incident: a go-around, unstable approach, stall warning, or runway excursion. The Rockwell International 500S has a maximum takeoff weight of 6,000 lb, light wake category.

About the Rockwell International 500S

The Rockwell Aero Commander 500S, marketed as the Shrike Commander, represents the refined evolution of a twin-engine piston design that first flew in 1948 and became a workhorse for corporate, charter, and utility operators throughout the latter half of the twentieth century. Built by what became Rockwell International after several corporate mergers, the 500S variant introduced in the 1970s featured fuel-injected Lycoming IO-540 engines producing 290 horsepower each, giving the aircraft a maximum cruise speed around 215 knots and a service ceiling of 19,600 feet. Its high-wing configuration and rugged landing gear made it popular for operations into unimproved strips, while the pressurized cabin variants appealed to business operators seeking comfort without the operating costs of turbine power.

The Shrike Commander earned a reputation for docile handling and solid single-engine performance, though like many piston twins of its era it demanded respect during engine-out scenarios at high weights. Today the type survives primarily in training fleets, cargo operations, and with owner-pilots who value its combination of speed, payload, and relatively straightforward maintenance compared to more complex twins. SkyMeter has tracked flights across airframes and operators, with the largest observed operator.