The 690-A is part of the Rockwell Turbo Commander series, a pressurized version of the Grand Commander, first appearing in 1965. This turboprop aircraft is known for its twin engines and has a reputation as a sturdy and reliable business transport.
Aero Commander was founded in 1944 in Culver City, California, by Ted Smith and a team of engineers, originally as Aero Design and Engineering Company. The company’s focus was on light twin-engine transport aircraft, with the first model flying in 1948. In 1958, Rockwell-Standard acquired the company. Production of aircraft under the Aero Commander name continued through subsequent ownership by Rockwell International and Gulfstream Aerospace until 1986. The brand legacy continues today as Twin Commander Aircraft, LLC, focusing on parts, service, and support for the fleet.
A variety of height access solutions support maintenance across the 690-A. Platforms and stands, including Reach Deck Platforms, Modular Stepover Platforms, Super Trestle Scaffold, and Ultraraise, provide access to the Nose Section for radome and avionics work, and the Forward Fuselage for cabin and ECS access.
Larger platforms and maintenance stands are ideal for the Middle Fuselage/Wing Box Area, allowing thorough access to fuel tanks and the wing box. These solutions are also critical for the Wing & Engine Pylon section, where detailed work is required on the engine (inlet/exhaust), fan, and compressor components. Cantilever platforms are valuable for reaching around the engine body and flap. For the AFT Fuselage and Tail Section (Empennage), including the vertical and horizontal stabilizers, specialized stands such as Bridge Decks and A Frame Aviation Platforms ensure methodical access for rear avionics and APU maintenance. The portable Aviation Chock and Cone Trolley and Platform Ladder Warthog provide general access throughout the aircraft.
