Riley Super Skyrocket !
 

Hi,
I'm Michel Heintz, french new member of this forum (living in France).
For a long time ago, I have ever been very fond of Skymasters and, in particular, of Riley Super Skyrocket conversion.
Now, I'm about to purchase such a plane (purchase agreement signed, prebuy inspection in progress), though some people advise not to do so !
Are there any Super Skyrocket owners on this forum ?
If yes, is it really a bad idea ? Are they effectively money-pits, when they are flown enough frequently and well maintained ?
What about their reliabiliy ? Is it really so bad ?
Does rear engine always overheat or is it a matter of engine management ?
I know their fuel consumption is higher and payload lower than normal Skymasters, but in french we say "when you love, you don't count !"
One last question : the plane I look at isn't equipped with de-icing boots, is it possible to add them, though the presence of required Horton STOL kit (STC SA937CE) ?
Thanks for your answers !

Yes, deice boots can be added to the Horton STOL wing cuff. The real question would be, is the aircraft already "PLUMBED" for boots? If it was plumbed from the factory, has all the vacuum pressure lines already installed but never had boots or the boots were removed, then it would be cost effective to add the boots. But if the aircraft is NOT plumbed, in my opinion it's not going to be cost effective to retrofit the application.

Remember, NONE of the Skymasters ever built were certified for icing conditions

Thank you Herb

Michel:

I own a standard Riley Rocket which is the same aircraft as the Super Rocket with the exception of the engines. The systems are the same, the complexity the same.

If your aircraft is flown regularly and maintained appropriately, it will be reliable. And an incredible performer with the extra power. Single Engine rate of climb should be in excess of 500PFM.

The same drawbacks will exist: it is tight under both cowlings and access often requires removing other components and...patience.

You will need to find a mechanic who does not mind the challenge.

Payload will be in exchange of range. This is true of the Rocket as well but more so for the Super Rocket. Some of the Super Rockets have limited payload left at full fuel. So the payload comes off the fuel load.

It all depends on your mission.

Enjoy the Super Rocket!

Richard

Thank you for this positive testimony !

Hi Michel, a friend had one and he loved it...you will too! His ran a little hot on the rear and He added the cooling kit from Owen Bell which consists of about 3 more vents and an added scoop...but every plane is different so fly it first...if it made it this long without anybody adding it then its probably good. +1 one on everything Richard and Herb said. it's a plane that falls into the hot rod rule of "There's no replacement for displacement" lol.

Have fun,
Brent

Thanks Brent !

They're the same engines as the Cessna 340, so you can expect maintenance costs to be similar.

340s can cost upwards of $350,000 so owners aren't as surprised when they have a $25,000 annual.

337s often cost less than $100,000 so owners can be more surprised when an annual costs $25,000. (If a Rocket costs less than $100,000 it needs a lot of work!)

I've owned both a 340 and a 337. They each have their own uses. But don't expect one to cost less than the other.

Thank you Jim !

Correct me if I'm wrong, but IIRC, with full fuel, a Super Skyrocket has a payload of less than 200 lbs. There was supposedly an STC to increase grow weight to 5400 lbs, not sure if it ever happened: http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?d...4-6988ade12e5c

As an answer to Nate's (6498w) question :

"Hi Michel,
Did you end up buying the Super Skyrocket? I'm looking at one now and having the same thoughts you had when you started this post. I'm wondering if you have any insight you can offer after hopefully having a successful purchase!
Thank you,
Nate"

I finally did not buy the Riley Super Skyrocket I was looking at : it had lost it's Gross Weight increase to 5120 lbs.
With a 4700 lbs Gross Weight, it just isn't worth it : with 800 lbs useful load, you never can have full tanks (148 USG) : the aircraft becomes a Formula 1 !