Where it fits well
- 299 kt cruise supports fast regional travel.
- 717 nm advertised range creates a practical planning radius of about 480 nm with 4 occupants.
- 450 kg realistic payload proxy and 6 seats define the usable cabin mission.
Photo: Crane, William M. · Public domain · representative variantKey figures
Indicative planning data, compiled 2026-07. Verify against the AFM and records.
| Seats | 6 |
| Realistic payload with mission fuel | 450 kg |
| Advertised range | 717 nm |
| Practical planning radius (4 people) | 480 nm |
| Cruise speed | 299 kt |
| Runway need | ~950 m |
| Pressurised | Yes |
| Fuel | Jet A-1 |
| Fixed annual base | €120k |
| Direct cost per flight hour | €1990 |
The ownership trade-off
The Twin Commander 980 combines 6-seat turboprop capability with about 717 NM reported range and about 299 kt reported cruise, while payload, runway and operating-cost figures remain indicative and should be verified for the specific aircraft before making a decision.
Cost picture at different usage
- 40 hours/year: about €421k per year ( €10515 per flight hour all-in)
- 80 hours/year: about €500k per year ( €6253 per flight hour all-in)
- 120 hours/year: about €580k per year ( €4832 per flight hour all-in)
- 180 hours/year: about €699k per year ( €3884 per flight hour all-in)
Older examples add calendar-driven maintenance: a 2011-built airframe is estimated at €312k per year at 80 hours. Condition, engine time remaining and avionics matter more than the year itself — price the aircraft in front of you, not the model.
Limitations to price honestly
- The Twin Commander 980 combines 6-seat turboprop capability with about 717 NM reported range and about 299 kt reported cruise, while payload, runway and operating-cost figures remain indicative and should be verified for the specific aircraft before making a decision.
- €120k fixed annual planning base before flying a single hour.
- Approximate 950 m take-off requirement must be checked against runway, surface, slope, temperature and loading.
Recommended missions
- Family and small-group touring with a weight-and-balance check for every trip.
- Short and medium regional trips, accepting fuel stops when conditions require.
- Time-sensitive business travel where dispatch reliability justifies the cost.