Hello Out There
 

Hi all,

Just found this forum. Logged a couple hundred hours in a 337 in the early 1980s. Lost my medical about 4 years ago, sold my (ugh!) Mooney TLS. Doc says I should have my medical back in about 90 days. I anticipate looking for another airplane soon thereafter. I really liked the Skymaster (in fact I was looking at them when I bought the stinking Mooney - wouldn't fit in my hangar). More importantly, my wife really likes the idea of a 337 even though she's never seen one in real life (I explained the advantages of centerline thrust). So, I'll be mostly lurking for a while. I do have one question though. I've heard rumors of something variously referred to as a "tail boom AD" or a "wing spar AD" but haven't been able to find much information. Can anyone educate me on this matter? Thanks in advance!

Regards,
Jim

There is no tail boom AD that I am aware of.

There is a wing spar AD. From memory, I believe it goes like thisfor aircraft not used in rough applications such as power line patrol:

All 337s prior to 1973:

Inspect wing spar at 5000 hours, and every X hours thereafter, I think X is 500, but can't remember.

P337s from 1973 onward:

Inspect wing spar at 10000 hours, and every X hours thereafter.

Other 337s after 1973: can't remember.

The inspection requires special equipment, but folks on this board have found people to do it. Except for power line patrol and fire fighting aircraft, and I have never heard of any defects being found yet. (May have happened, I just haven't heard about it.)

Kevin

AD Number is #78-09-05 - Recurs every 500 hours. Look at the home page, this web site, for a link to info on Skymaster ADs. Use this for information only. The actual text of all AD's and accompanying data is available on www.faa.gov.

Wing Spar AD
 

Kevin
I have a copy of the AD if you want it, 5 pages,31 kb, I could E-Mail it or attach it here.
Fred N358

Skymaster
 

Jim (Hardball), If you live not far from Nashville, why don't you join us at our April meeting. Learn first hand from a lot of Skymaster owners what a great plane it is.
Jerry:D

AD
 

As you can see, after 5K hours for the non-pressurized models, the low flying thing has no application. As a safety issue, any plane that you buy, you should consider getting it done as part of the pre-buy.

Thanks everyone for the ad info. Jerry, Nashville may fit my schedule. Thanks for the invite.

Regards,
Jim