Jetprop 900 vs 1000

[Steve binnette]

Not so crazy.

I pay $2000.00/month for my 60x60 hangar in Southern California?

Well worth it. Plane stays perfect.

[SKYFLYER]

Don is correct about the usage factor... Commanders like most other aircraft tend to develop "maintain-itis" when left to set and not be flown.  This I have found happens regardless being in a hangar or left out on the ramp exposed... Perhaps in the hangar a bit less but still happens ...  When I am on the upper East Coast (usually weekdays) the aircraft is in a hangar... then most weekends I fly down to South Florida.. where the aircraft is outside for the three or four days I am there...
I do about 400 hours a year over all and the aircraft stays very healthy..
I guess my point to all this is if you are using your Commander regularly... outside might not be so bad until you can get a spot in the hangar where you are....

[Bruce Byerly]

Is there anything about the Commanders that would make them less suitable for being stationed outside than other pressurized turbine aircraft of the same age?

All my aircraft have had hangars and I agree it's not smart to try to save money by letting it sit outside but sometimes there isn't any choice.

Nothing particular except they seem more susceptible to window leaks due to the typical lack of PRC sealant in those areas.  I'm a little sensitive to the environmental damage you get both from my experience importing planes from European operators as well those in tropical environments.  I have seen some nasty mold and damage.  A carpet alone is $5-10k and you can ruin that in a weekend or so if the plane leaks.  In terms of corrosion, a commander is typically better than most any other GA plane due to the mil spec zinc chromates and other quality build features, but they are aging and a little corrosion promotion can cause major issues. A brand new jet is a much better candidate to sit outside.  Airliners are designed never to see a hangar.  If you let your commander or whatchamacallit sit outside in FL during the rainy season, for example, you are eventually going to have terminal corrosion = junk.