Preparing to buy a skymaster

[MCASS598]

Greetings everyone,

I'm a lowtime private pilot (110hrs) and I'm getting ready to do the required certs so I can work my way into a skymaster. Certs should be complete by June.

I guess my biggest question is there an airplaine that I should look at before moving into a skymaster?

Are they significantly different than flying a 182 or 210?

Is there any recommended amount of time under my belt before safely transitioning into a skymaster?

What about time with an instructor before going alone in the skymaster (I was figuring 15-20 hours)?

Are they capable of flying aerobatics at all?

I'll be utilizing the aircraft for business mostly.

Thanks
Mike

[WebMaster]

I was a low time pilot. They wouldn't touch me. I got around that. You need ME rating before going and looking.
They do not do aerobatics, well, some do, but they are not supposed to.

It's a good business plane. It's a blast to fly, you can land lots of places.

I went from renting 172's to owning a skymaster. You'll pay more the first year for insurance, but it's still cheaper than buying something you don't want to meet insurance requirements.

Talk to Scott Smith, www.skysmith.com

[MCASS598]

Thanks Larry,

I'm working on my ME, then I'm going to do my ME IFR.
I'm a photographer & mortgage broker (one's fun and exciting - the other pays better) and so I'd use the plane mostly for business travel.

Do you know if I can get some sort of observation door or windows installed?

I'm looking to use it for aerial photos & search+rescue work.

Thanks
Michael

[Jerry De Santis]

My first aircraft was a 1972 337F. At that time I had about 175 hours. I have a conventional ME rating with IFR. I use the plane for both personal use and business. Larry is right, the plane can go into a lot of different field hard surface or grass and it has a pretty good range.

The single engine manners of a Skymaster are unparalled and yes, some have been modified with a camera port.

Good Luck

Jerry
N34EC

[WebMaster]

Don Nieser can sell you a door with an opening window, and a camera port.

Don Nieser has several of these (and other) type of mods in stock and can help you with any install questions you may encounter. As we saw while we were in OKC, his inventory and experience is unmatched.

BTW, of all the 337 suppliers and dealers I have dealt with over the years . . . and there are plenty, Don is head and shoulders above them all in honesty, integrity, workmanship and price.

My experience has been that others advertise a lot, but Don consistently delivers.

I recently saw on this Board that his new website is:

http://www.02337parts.com/

P.S. Don, you can pay me later. ;-)

Keven Kenison
________
Cumshot Asian

[Jerry De Santis]

I second what Keven said!

Jerry

[WebMaster]

I think somewhere there are pictures of the camera and opening door. The door comes from the 0-2's, which had a window that would crank out 90 degrees, in flight.

[FRED-E]

If you would like to see pictures of camera ports, E-Mail me an I will send them to you.
Fred N358
femde@cox.net