New STC for Big Engines

[TomeHill79]

This is the company who now owns the STC.
Air USA

https://air-usa.com/

[DrZGard]

Originally Posted by TomeHill79

This is the company who now owns the STC.
Air USA

https://air-usa.com/

Thank you. I sent them an email.

[YankeeClipper]

That is some big money. Just the maintenance on an io550 alone would push me right out of that club. Even if I had it, I think I'd spend it on a turbo. By the time you get to 9 or 10k I imagine you're starting to surpass the N/A 550 in available power anyway. Then fuel consumption, range, weight...

On the other hand, every Riley Rocket owner can't be wrong.

[TimJ]

Originally Posted by YankeeClipper

That is some big money. Just the maintenance on an io550 alone would push me right out of that club. Even if I had it, I think I'd spend it on a turbo. By the time you get to 9 or 10k I imagine you're starting to surpass the N/A 550 in available power anyway. Then fuel consumption, range, weight...

On the other hand, every Riley Rocket owner can't be wrong.

What is wrong with maintaining an IO-550?

[general]

You also have to remember that those SkyMasters are flying under experimental category also.
A typical mission would be at 17,000 ft for a number of hours.
Very dependable

[mshac]

The twin 550's are a blast to fly no doubt, but the Airscan STC was for a specific mission. Apparently, that mission did not include carrying more than just the pilot at full tanks. They added plenty of power and some weight, but didn't ever get the gross weight increase.

Jack Riley was working on a GW increase STC to 5500lbs when he died. Increasing the GW to 5500lbs would've really made the 550 conversion attractive, but it never happened.

My guess is owners routinely fly them over gross weight with no ill effects whatsoever (except possibly an insurance issue or FAA violation).

FYI - O2A Skymasters have loading charts that go over 5500 lbs. And this is while performing low-level combat maneuvers.