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Author Topic: N980GR  (Read 2541 times)

grantacparks

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N980GR
« on: July 11, 2022, 06:22:34 pm »
Hey all-

Bought our Commander 980 from Eagle Creek last May. Got new avionics, interior, and five bladed props. The plane really is one of a kind. It's been giving us some maintenance headaches this year, with more AOGs than I would have liked. But I'm hoping these get ironed out the more I fly.

-Grant
N980GR
KSUS

donv

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Re: N980GR
« Reply #1 on: July 12, 2022, 11:53:46 am »
Welcome!

I think you will find the airplane will really become very reliable as you fly it more. Mine has been great, although this year I am suffering through a parts issue (fuel bladder)-- that said, it seems like everyone is having various supply chain issues, so not a surprise.

Please ask any questions that come up-- we have a great knowledge base here on this board.

Mark S

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Re: N980GR
« Reply #2 on: July 13, 2022, 10:58:45 am »
Welcome Grant,
What more can you say about the 5 blade props?
Consensus here appears they aren’t a valuable upgrade over the wide-chord 3 blade Hartzel’s due to the slower cruise speeds.
They look great. I suppose they could reduce noise too.

grantacparks

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Re: N980GR
« Reply #3 on: July 13, 2022, 01:11:24 pm »
I’d say that it’s the best upgrade you can do to the plane. My wife felt the plane was uncomfortably loud with more vibration than our Meridian. Our 3 blades weren’t perfectly balanced which contributed to the problem. Speed penalty is completely overcome by passenger comfort. Sounds like a louder jet inside now, with almost no vibration.

donv

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Re: N980GR
« Reply #4 on: July 13, 2022, 01:18:25 pm »
I've heard great things about the 5-blades, so it sounds like you are having a good experience. Barry Lane has told me the 5 blade is the best upgrade you can do... that said, I just overhauled my Hartzell wide chords, because I like seeing 300KTAS and don't mind the vibration.

How does the Commander compare to the Meridian on noise level? I'm guessing even with the 5 blades, Commander is noisier?

JMA

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Re: N980GR
« Reply #5 on: July 13, 2022, 03:50:06 pm »
Welcome Grant. 

Curious was 980GR a charter prior to your ownership?

Original owners of N515am, if you make it to PHL anytime let me know :)

Adam Frisch

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Re: N980GR
« Reply #6 on: July 13, 2022, 04:25:40 pm »
Welcome Grant! Love to see some pics of yours. Salivating over the 5-blades.
Slumming it in the turboprop world - so you don't have to.

grantacparks

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Re: N980GR
« Reply #7 on: July 14, 2022, 06:53:28 pm »
Welcome Grant. 

Curious was 980GR a charter prior to your ownership?

Original owners of N515am, if you make it to PHL anytime let me know :)

Don’t believe so. I think it was a partnership with a pro pilot in New Mexico. Sounds like they flew 400+ hours a year.

JMA

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Re: N980GR
« Reply #8 on: July 15, 2022, 12:15:56 pm »
I made an assumption seeing this pic of your bird on flightaware- actually quite a few of here on that site.


grantacparks

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Re: N980GR
« Reply #9 on: July 17, 2022, 10:17:32 am »
They had a pro pilot, so that probably explains the photo. Or one of the partners liked to play dress up?

JMA

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Re: N980GR
« Reply #10 on: July 18, 2022, 10:46:51 am »
We all have our vices! :)
Safe travels, and let me know if you end up on the east coast.

donv

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Re: N980GR
« Reply #11 on: June 03, 2023, 11:26:44 pm »
I see N980GR for sale again... looks like a great airplane!