336 Owners

[roger336rc]

Want to let all the interested 336 folks that I have flown a 336 for 30 years and know the plane in and out. I am parting out my 336. It has always been hangared and all the parts are in excellent shape. For example - 400 altitude hold autopilot with all paperwork recently yellow tagged by Autopilot Central. Cost nearly $10,000 to get all the right parts with the correct part numbers and to service and yellow tag them. A knock out 6 seat interior and dual flight instrument panels. Thought you would be interested. roger@tekoa.com

[Richard]

Well, I went ahead and purchased the 336. Love it. Simple, easy, and familiar. This is Skymaster #4 that I've owned. So far my impressions are that performance will be missed, but the cost of ownership on the 336 is welcomed. Climb at sea level with 1/2 tanks and me is 2200fpm, oh my! Empty weight is under 2500lbs, wow. This is the first Skymaster I've owned that didn't have a Horton STOL kit on it, I wonder if I'll miss it.

What, if any, mods really improve the performance?

[roger336rc]

I made custom fairings for the wheel that enclosed the brake caliper - also an airfoil fairing for the main struts - in fact I still have the molds for all 3 wheel fairings.

I used the Mid America STOL kit and really liked it.

[David Dixon]

Congrats Richard.
Glad to hear it.

[Richard]

A few details on this new bird.
It has 1102 hours total time on the airframe and engines. Yes, the engines are original and never overhauled or had any jugs changed. It was stored in a hanger for 27 years without any activity, but in the last 10 years it has seen monthly activity. To some (including me) this would worry them about the engines being so old. I was skeptical, but amazingly enough, the engines don't leak a drop. Driest IO360s I've ever seen. Compressions are great and the plane flies book figures. In a 6 hour flight, we started with a full 10 qts, after the flight we had burned 1.5 qts in each engine. I'm happy because I'm used to seeing cracks and patches all over the baffle pans. This is like having a new plane.

Things I've noticed:

I miss the visibility of the 337
Rear engine burns almost 1 gph more than the front
Vibration from the rear engine is noticeably different from and 337
Elevator authority is better with the 336
Climb rate is flat out amazing

Even though the plane is under a new annual, I'm having my trusted IA go over it again. He has found a few minor corrosion issues on some of the fuel lines are are replacing them. A few other leaks and minor things, but pretty small for a craft approaching 50 years of age.

Everything is functional on the plane except for the thrust warning system. So I'm faced with having the system removed or find the missing parts to make it functional. Any advise? Is it a system that comes in handy? I've noticed that every 336 I have seen has the system removed. Reason?

[David Dixon]

Richard, best you contact Roger who is parting out his amazing 336.
I'd love to one day see your fantastic machine, It's a bit far at the moment, but one day when I'm over there from Australia.
Regards
David