Single-engine Endurance and Performance

[Paul Sharp]

I own a '67 Turbo, and we were flying back to Utah from Montana, over the mountains at 16,500' about 7-8 years ago. Fuel probably at about 80% of capacity at that point (using all 4 tanks), 3 adults plus baggae, in winter. I would WAG we were about 400-500 lbs. under 4300 gross.

The rear engine CHT began to creep upwards. There were no corroborating readings, but to be conservative I shut down the rear engine. The plane held 16,500 with no problem at all for half an hour to the nearest decent airport. (Turned out to be only a bad CHT probe.)

Of course, the non-turbo models are vastly different (which is why I don't own one).