PlaneFox tracks 3 Commander 500 Shrike aircraft for sale and re-reads every one of them from the broker and dealer sites it watches, so the figures below move when the market moves. Every number on this page is measured from those live listings, not taken from a published price guide.
A Commander 500 Shrike flies about 936 nm, roughly 1,733 km, which is about 5 h 19 min in still air at typical cruise.
A Commander 500 Shrike costs about EUR 5,717 a month to run, or about EUR 486 for every flight hour when it is flown 150 hours a year.
The Commander 500 Shrike, more formally the Aero Commander 500S Shrike Commander, is a piston twin developed from the Aero Commander 500 line and built by Aero Commander and later Rockwell. The Shrike version entered production in the late 1960s and remained in the catalog into the 1970s. It is a pressurization-free, high-wing, light twin aimed at owner-pilots, business transport and utility operations.
Its importance comes from the combination of a wide cabin, excellent low-speed handling and twin-engine redundancy in a relatively simple airframe. The 500 Shrike should not be confused with the larger turbine Commanders or with the higher-powered 560 and 680 series. It is the normally aspirated piston member of the family, valued for its stable handling and practical cabin rather than high-altitude speed.
The Shrike’s high wing, large flaps and robust landing gear make it suitable for a wide range of regional missions. Buyers should evaluate real-world payload with full fuel, as installed avionics, interiors and modifications can materially affect empty weight.
The cabin typically seats five or six occupants, including the pilot, with a broad cross-section compared with many light twins of its era. Large windows, a high wing and a flat-floor feel give the aircraft a practical business and personal transport layout. Baggage capacity and loading access are strong points within the piston twin category.
Avionics vary widely because the 500 Shrike predates integrated glass cockpits. Original panels were conventional analog layouts. Many used examples now have Garmin GNS or GTN navigators, modern audio panels, ADS-B equipment, engine monitors and updated transponders. Garmin G1000 or Garmin Perspective installations are not typical for this model.
In the used market, the Commander 500 Shrike usually sits as a cabin-focused alternative to more common piston twins, trading outright speed for comfort, handling and distinctive Commander utility. Aircraft condition matters more than model year. Important review items include complete logbooks, compliance with airworthiness directives, corrosion inspections, landing gear maintenance, fuel system condition, propeller times and Lycoming IO-540 engine health.
Common value drivers include upgraded avionics, documented engine and propeller overhauls, a clean interior, paint condition and the quality of long-term maintenance support. Buyers comparing variants should confirm that the aircraft is a true 500S Shrike Commander and not a different Aero Commander piston or turbine model with different performance, systems and operating economics.