BeechTalk - BT

Username Protected · **Posted:** 08 May 2015, 08:39

Does anybody have any first hand experience with them? Any insight into maintenance costs, idiosyncrasies and actual performance and handeling would be much appreciated. I am particularly interested in the NA version but any info on the others would be equally appreciated. Thinking of basing it on grass stip-3000' SL

Username Protected · **Posted:** 08 May 2015, 08:41

Ken Reed just got one, you should PM him.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 08 May 2015, 08:43

Never buy an airplane whose designation is the same as the FAA form for a major repair or alteration. :duck:

Username Protected · **Posted:** 08 May 2015, 08:59

yep, I did my first solo in one and then flew pipeline inspection in them. They were ok for that, and i didn't know any better. Then I got the fly a 310 and saw what actual airplanes are like, there was no going back.

I also did a fair bit of wrenching on those, it retrospect it was good preparation for the frustration of maintaining old russian-built turboprops later on.

the company i worked for had among it's small piston fleet a dozen aztecs, 15ish 310's, couple senecas, couple 337's. When the 337's went away and were replaced by 2 more aztecs, fleet-average dispatch reliability saw a noticeable improvement.

In addition to being a basic POS and slow thirsty pig, it doesn't have any room in it for bags. It's a 4+ seat airplane in that regard, basically the same as a twin comanche. But it goes slower than the twin comanche while using bigger engines. If you want a small twin with nowhere to put anything just get the pinnacle-of-efficiency PA30.

Being young and bored we played all kinds of games with our 337 box haulers. For example, we found it took a little more than 5km of straight road to takeoff and stagger out of ground effect on only the rear engine, but it could be done. With only the front engine running, don't even count on maintaining altitude if you're heavy.

If you want a preview of flying a 337, just put a metal trash can over your head and get your kids to beat on both sides with broom handles.

The used airplane market is pretty efficient at assigning value, there are no undiscovered bargains. And you can't give away a C-337.

As for grass runways, this being a beech forum and all, we have 2000ft at the farm and I never mow the whole thing for our travel air. The travel air isn't quite as fuel efficient as the twin comanche but it does have a nose baggage compartment.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 08 May 2015, 09:40

^^^^^Hillarious, great read for my cup of coffee this morning, thanks. :thumbup:

Username Protected · **Posted:** 08 May 2015, 14:50

Maybe twelve hours in factory new, NORDO SkyMasters (back when Cessna/ARC was in the avionics business).

A lot of complexity crammed into a mighty tight airframe. An AOG mx kit should include an assortment of band-aids, anti-bacterial (burn) ointment, gauze and Valium.

If you've got a favorite mx shop, chat with them before buying ... to determine if your relationship can continue at a reasonable price.

ANR headsets and spare batteries would be on my personal MEL.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 08 May 2015, 14:56

One of my AF buds flew his first tour as a FAC flying 337s/O-2s over the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos. After that, he figured no other mission the AF threw at him could make him nervous.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 08 May 2015, 15:51

Brutal.... :coffee:

Username Protected · **Posted:** 08 May 2015, 16:24

Cessna.org is the place to go. Worth the $55.

Don't think twin cessna flyers has much expertise.

Cessna Pilots Society might have some expertise.

What is your mission? They're decent planes, but don't do much that a 210 won't do except burn more gas.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 08 May 2015, 17:06

I had a 75 Skymaster Non-Turbo for 4 years, then went to my current Baron.
If you would like to discuss, give me a call.
They are very under appreciated and very ugly on the ground, but man can they carry a load.

Rick
410-916-0039

Username Protected · **Posted:** 08 May 2015, 22:36

Username Protected wrote:

Never buy an airplane whose designation is the same as the FAA form for a major repair or alteration. :duck:

So you're sayin' the fixed gear version is the way to go.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 08 May 2015, 23:27

As someone in construction, I frequently wonder how and why architects get "approval" for certain designs. Sounds like the 337 is similar.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 12 May 2015, 00:35

Username Protected wrote:

The used airplane market is pretty efficient at assigning value, there are no undiscovered bargains. And you can't give away a C-337.

Well that efficient aircraft market just rewarded me with a wad of cash tonight for my C-337. YES!!!!

viewtopic.php?f=43&t=104503&p=1368296#p1368296

Username Protected · **Posted:** 12 May 2015, 01:32

Over the years I have done the baffle seals kits for all models 336-337-T337
P337 and the Riley later models with the very large engine...

I now only see a few baffle seals kits per year...

GB