Which model to buy.

[AV8ing]

The turbo could rise above all of that (couldn't resist--sorry). With only a POH to go on, it looks to me like a 71 C-model full of friends isn't making any hasty climbs out of bumpy stuff or ice.

Turbo in a 337 usually means a P337 and now we are talking about a very heavily loaded/equipped plane. The Riley Sky Rocket I look after has a measly 500lbs pay-load, so no-way you are filling it with friends !


On the other hand a nice NA 337 will have a payload closer to 900lbs, so you could indeed bring the buddies albeit, you're not going to FL200.

[YankeeClipper]

When you talk about "payload", I'm assuming that you're talking about what's left after the fuel weight. I assume, because the numbers I see put something like a 1400 useful on the P.

Regardless, I've been dissuaded by the local 337 A&P from getting into the P, in spite very appealing comfort. He put a number like 1.5-2x on the recurring costs (but I don't want to (re-)start those threads). So I'd be looking for that rare Turbo II, or putting up with hydraulic power-packs and doors that go like this <--[]-->.

[n86121]

I was a heli-chopter owner pilot first, and originally saw no valid reason to go over 1,000 ft. Nothing the see up there.

But when getting a 'thrasher years ago, original mission to/from WashDC/Boston, I experienced the anemic hot summer climb of a non-turbo above 9,000 ft with 3.5 people aboard up the east coast. One of my instructors could have been a linebacker, the other a skinny french guy.

So not sure, I got a turbo, and have had it for 25+ years (during which time, I must note, like Dorian Gray, I've not aged a day). It's a full RSTOL which has other advantages.

On hot summer days, it is really really really really nice to quickly pop up over the convective layer quickly with family, friends, kids, dog on board. Around Wash DC that's often 6-9k.

On a x country to OSH last year, below 9-10k it was hot and humid. Lots of near convection, bump bump bump.

We quickly popped up on top, dropped down for lunch in Port Clinton, popped up again. All nice an cozy, all the time thinking of the poor slobs stuck down below bouncing and sweating.

There was a line of WX between Clinton and OSH. Easily and quickly popped up briefly to 14k over the top, Piece of cake. Like skiing giant moguls at 200 mph.

Whole trip would've been a slog below 12k, or climbing to/from, coming and going.

That said, we have a beach house in NC. I often fly low along the shoreline, down the Potomac river, across the Chesapeake bay, wrap around NAS Oceana, along the NC beach, then climb UP (!) to pattern in Hatteras. (Re3member, a heli pilot. To us 1k ft is high).

When I do that, throttle back, music playing, turbos are just idling at lower power.

Things could be a lot worse...

[AV8ing]

Originally Posted by YankeeClipper

When you talk about "payload", I'm assuming that you're talking about what's left after the fuel weight. I assume, because the numbers I see put something like a 1400 useful on the P.

Yep, figure 150 gals@ 900 lbs, so you're left with about 500.

Regardless, I've been dissuaded by the local 337 A&P from getting into the P, in spite very appealing comfort. He put a number like 1.5-2x on the recurring costs (but I don't want to (re-)start those threads). So I'd be looking for that rare Turbo II, or putting up with hydraulic power-packs and doors that go like this <--[]-->.

I would agree with your A&P .

[n86121]

I thought the P models gross went up to 5100 lbs?

My T337D has a RSTOL increased gross takeoff of 4,700 lbs
About 3k empty, so about 1700 lbs payload.

Minus 128 gals x 6lbs/gal = 768 fuel, plus almost 1,000 lbs of people and stuff.

There was one trip to start the summer,
family of 4, (2 SMALL kids)
large afghan hound (skinny, but huge)
100 lbs of flowers,
two violins, a cello,
plus boxes of tiles to redo the kitchen
..AND a new kitchen sink.

I literally head everything in there INCLUDING the kitchen sink.
That was at gross.

D

[YankeeClipper]

Originally Posted by n86121

I thought the P models gross went up to 5100 lbs?

D

4630, without modification

[AV8ing]

Originally Posted by YankeeClipper

4630, without modification

And what mod allows more ?

(When I researched this, I found nothing but an empty sales pitch …)

[hharney]

Other than the proprietary increase that Air Scan did the only increase I am aware of is Robertson STOL. This was an increase gross weight for take off but defaulted back to certified gross weight for landing. It's a lot more work and money to change the weight for landing than it is for take off. VG's on the Skymaster did not gain any GW like a lot of other twins benefit with. There are some early (pre 73) Turbo models that have R-STOL but very few later model Skymaster had the R-STOL. It's cost prohibited to install an R-STOL system today, even if Sierra would do it. The P models are heavy birds and will work pretty good for 2 adults and gear with long range fuel but for 4 adults the fuel load is going to be compromised.