Rockwell Commander Turbo 680

The Rockwell Turbo Commander 680T marks the transition of the legendary Aero Commander line into the turbine age. By swapping geared piston engines for Garrett TPE331 turboprops, Rockwell created a high-wing ‘pilot’s airplane’ with significantly improved climb and cruise performance. It retains the iconic high-wing design that allows for a low-to-the-ground cabin entry, eliminating the need for steep airstairs.

Key Features for GA Buyers

• Turboprop Reliability: The move to the Garrett TPE331 engines solved many of the maintenance headaches associated with the geared, supercharged piston engines of the earlier 680 series.
• Ease of Access: The high-wing configuration places the cabin very low to the ground, making it one of the easiest cabin-class twins for passengers to enter and exit.
• Visibility: Pilots enjoy a ‘cockpit with a view’ due to the high-wing design, and passengers benefit from an unobstructed view of the landscape below.
• Rugged Design: Known for being over-engineered, the Commander airframe is exceptionally sturdy and handles turbulence well.

Trade-offs

• Cabin Noise: Early TPE331 installations are notoriously loud on the ground and in flight due to the high-speed centrifugal compressors; active noise-canceling headsets are a must.
• Early Turbine Tech: As one of the first turbine Commanders, it lacks some of the aerodynamic refinements (like the pointed nose and larger windows) found on the later 690 series.
• Pressurization Limits: While pressurized, the differential is lower than modern high-altitude turboprops, typically limiting comfortable long-range cruise to the low 20s.