History

In 1970 Rockwell designed and built two versions of a four-seat cabin low-wing monoplane; the fixed tricycle landing gear Commander 111 and the retractable tricycle landing gear Commander 112. Only two prototype Commander 111's were built; the company decided that only the Commander 112 would go into production. Delivery of the first production aircraft began late in 1972.

The 112 prototypes were powered by a 180hp Lycoming O-360 engine; this was replaced by a 200hp IO-360 engine in production aircraft. After 123 production aircraft had been built a number of improvements were made to the 112 in 1974, including an internally-redesigned wing with increased fuel capacity and a 100lb increase in maximum take off weight to 2,650lbs. 112s built to this standard were marketed as Commander 112As.

Rockwell introduced a new model of the 112, the Commander 112TC with a turbocharged engine of 210hp and another increase in maximum take off weight to 2,850lbs in 1976. Also introduced that year was the Commander 114 with a more powerful six-cylinder Lycoming IO-540 engine of 260hp. The 112, 112TC and 114 were all subsequently upgraded, to the 112B, 112TCA and 114A respectively. The final year of production was 1979, by which time the marketing name Alpine Commander was used for the 112TCA and Grand Turismo Commander for the 114A.

Following the end of production Rockwell sold the design rights to Gulfstream American in 1981 along with other designs in the Rockwell stable, but Gulfstream did not re-start production as it was only interested in the twin engine Turbo Commander. In 1988 Gulfstream sold the rights to Commander Aircraft. It was Commander Aircraft's intention to provide support for existing aircraft and build new aircraft. The new aircraft were designated Commander 114Bs, with deliveries commencing in 1992. Production ceased again in 2002 after about 200 114Bs and turbocharged 114TCs had been built.

In 1988, Robin Miley of Big Piney Aviation began the development of the 112 Hot Shot. Robin was frustrated by the performance of his own 112 at the high altitudes where he typically operated. Based out of Miley Field (named for his father), in Wyoming, Robin declared, “There has to be a better way to fly.” He placed his plane into the experimental class and began the three year process of recertification.

In February 1991 the FAA issued RCM Normalizing an STC for the installation of a turbo intercooler system for the 112 & 112B model aircraft. The “Hot Shot” was born. Robin's dedication to these beatiful aircraft remains to this day unparelleled. Today there are nearly 50 Hot Shots flying worldwide. They remain some of the safest, best performing, most sought after, and coveted aircraft in the world.