P337 with 350hp TSIO-550s

[rhurt]

I flew an experimental P337 yesterday with 350 hp TSIO550 engines. WOW! 3000fpm climb on a 93F day with 5300 lbs gross wt. Cruise climb 2000 fpm. Cruise speed numbers are not in yet, as it was only flight 5. I did see 200 kt tas at 9500' and 65% power.

Incredible plane! 2000 hr tbo. He should have the STC by March 09.

[WebMaster]

If you get some pictures, please post them. That would be interesting to see.

[rhurt]

I should have some pics in the next couple of days.

I flew it again yesterday and I remain impressed. We did some takeoff roll and climb tests at 5500 lbs and 310 hp setting. Takeoff roll was 1350 feet and a five minute climb from 3000 feet put us at 12,500.

With the 3-bladed schmitar props the thing is quieter than a stock p337, so the gross weight increase should not be a problem. He's going for 5,700# with the 550s or with the Riley 520s.

Next week we'll take it up to fl 250 and do some speed tests. I'm expecting to see way more than 230 kts.

By the way, the flights were on a 87f day, but the cabin temp was 72 because of the Aviation Enterprises A/C system.

[rhurt]

I did not get to fly last Friday. I turned wrenches instead. The chief pilot flew it though, and at 5,700 lbs, with slightly more headwind and a more nose up attitude, he got the thing off the ground in 1150 feet. Still had good grond sound measurements, even at 800' agl and 310 hp power settings.

I should be taking it to fl 250 this Friday for a speed run. And I'll get some pictures.

Had an Aspen Avionics Pilot Pro PFD installed in my '66 -A, mated to an ARC 400 autopilot. I should have it back this week and will start another post to tell how well it works with the a/p and the 530.

Also, some of the mechanic work I was doing last Friday was on some 25-gallon underwing fuel tanks, four in all, mounted to the hard points used in the O-2's. May have some pics of those also.

[rhurt]

Some phone camera pix of the p337 with TSIO 550s. Obviously all the work is prototype.

[WebMaster]

Thank you for posting the pictures.

It looks like the intakes for the front engine are smaller than I would have thought. Also, it looks like there is a supplemental intake, on the front engine. The rear engine looks just really massive.

thank you again for posting the pictures.