New Skymasters
 

Does anyone know if Cessna still owns the rights to Skymasters? Or did they totally sell it to the French?

The reason why I'm asking is because I'm looking into the possibility of manufacturing new Skymasters in Asia -- with possible sales to the US. Cheap labor, etc.


Rob

If you do, how about putting Thielerts on it and increasing GW to 5500 lbs.

The Thielert 350 HP engine would be a good fit for a Skymaster, and could be done through an STC. Unfortunately, increasing the GW to 5500 would be a bit more difficult.

The Thielert's weigh 600 pounds each. Add to that the weight of the heavier fuel, and a GW increase would be a good idea.

weight
 

It is my understanding that the gross weight limitation is based solely on the gear. Which is why we can't get a GW increase with the MIcro-VG's. FYI/Roger

My plan is not to change too much for the first few years -- with the only exception being those nice mods Riley made. So there would be two options for engines (IO-360's or 520's). Further market research might limit the first few years to Pressurized models only (or non pressurized). Bottomline, I think these machines can be built overseas and sold in the USA for around $500k a piece.

We put 550s on three of our birds. Two right now experimental, and the third being STC'd. First two then will be grought to conformity. Did repeated drop tests at 5120# finally from from 40 inches! No problem. Given 125% ferry limit and 130% AK ops, if the power is there, the wings will lift the additional weight fine.

John,
Please tell us more about 550's in a Skymaster. I remember the continental rep telling us that the 550 was a great engine.

I'm not working the project, but the first two are working fine. Needed modified cowlings, etc. Ducted exhaust aids cooling airflow. LOTs of power! I'm told first two are noisy inside. We'll know a lot more after the third bird is STC'd. I'll try to get pics to take to Bahamas.

John

Hasn't Owen Bell at Aviation Enterprises (615-865-1802, owen.bell@juno.com) been putting a bigger engine in the Skymaster? Anybody know which engine? He's got lots of data.

Ernie

given the announcement, or impending announcement about the rocket 2, this might be timely.