altitude use C337
 

All.
Always loved the 337, and I can afford one now.
I have a survey company, primarily large solar installations.
Fly 3 to 4 cameras simultaneously , and currently using a C182P for that purpose. 3 thermal cameras and one RGB, it all fits in the baggage compartment of my C182, made 4 5 inch holes with doublers.

I have some work coming up where the customer demands 2 engines.
Still need to see how to add camera holes. but also some altitude issues.
For simplicity and cost at TBO I prefer a Natural aspirated c337.
Now 95% of my work is at altitudes below 5000 ft, but lately I have gotten a fair amount of work in Utah and Colorado.
With my C182 I routinely had to climb to 13000 ft, but it gets there.(seen 16,000ft), no turbo.
At a few airports density altitude was over 10,500 ft, The C182 was ok with it, 200 below gross typically, does require a light touch, typically 250 FPM.

How would this be with a C337 (none turbo) , 300 below gross ?

Thanks.
Henri.

The 337H model (non-turbo) Pilot Operating Handbook gives the service ceiling as 16,300 ft and the maximum weight climb speed as 405 fpm at 12,000 ft pressure altitude and 20C. The single engine service ceiling is about 7000 ft. I normally operate a low altitudes, but have had it to 11,600 on a couple of long cross-country flights. It performs similar to your C182. It's easy to handle and a safer choice than a conventional twin engine airplane.

Here a 337 for sale with camera holes: https://www.barnstormers.com/classif...th-io-360.html

The cargo pod I just bought has an old camera hole in it. I bet the cheapest and fastest way to put 4 camera holes in a skymaster is to add a belly pod and put 4 holes in the pod.