New STC for Big Engines
 

I don't know what possessed me to search the Skymaster STC's, but came accross this new one. Anyone know anything about this?

STC Number:
SA03618AT

This certificate issued to:
AirScan Inc

STC Holder's Address:
7017 Challenger Ave
Titusville FL 32780-8201
United States

Description of the Type Design Change:
Installation of Teledyne Continental Motors Model IO-550-N engines, Hartzell Model PHC-G3YF-2UF/F7663D-2R propeller front, Hartzell Model PHC-I3YF-2AL/FLC7663DF-2 propeller rear, front and back AirScan engine installations and 5120 pounds Maximum Gross Weight

Application Date:
09/05/2005

Status:
Issued, 09/04/2008

Responsible Office:
ACE-115A Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office Tel: (770) 703-6035

TC Number -- Make -- Model:
A6CE -- Cessna Aircraft Company -- 337G
A6CE -- Cessna Aircraft Company -- 337H
A6CE -- Cessna Aircraft Company -- T337H

Full Text of STC:

There was some mention of this, 2 years ago at the fly-in in at Lucaya. However, no real discussion because the person who was going to talk about it got last minute direction to not talk about it.

If you are interested in learning more, give AirScan a call.

My attempts to research this STC have all got to dead ends since Airscan went out of business a few years ago. Someone did mention in another thread that the STC had been bought. It would be interesting if the new owner would be willing to share the ability to utilize the gross weight increase approval.

This is the company who now owns the STC.
Air USA

https://air-usa.com/

Thank you. I sent them an email.

That is some big money. Just the maintenance on an io550 alone would push me right out of that club. Even if I had it, I think I'd spend it on a turbo. By the time you get to 9 or 10k I imagine you're starting to surpass the N/A 550 in available power anyway. Then fuel consumption, range, weight...

On the other hand, every Riley Rocket owner can't be wrong.

What is wrong with maintaining an IO-550?

You also have to remember that those SkyMasters are flying under experimental category also.
A typical mission would be at 17,000 ft for a number of hours.
Very dependable

No replacement for displacement
 

The twin 550's are a blast to fly no doubt, but the Airscan STC was for a specific mission. Apparently, that mission did not include carrying more than just the pilot at full tanks. They added plenty of power and some weight, but didn't ever get the gross weight increase.

Jack Riley was working on a GW increase STC to 5500lbs when he died. Increasing the GW to 5500lbs would've really made the 550 conversion attractive, but it never happened.

My guess is owners routinely fly them over gross weight with no ill effects whatsoever (except possibly an insurance issue or FAA violation).

FYI - O2A Skymasters have loading charts that go over 5500 lbs. And this is while performing low-level combat maneuvers. :D