[hharney]

Here is what I have learned:

You can expect the Golden Hawk conversion to be in the range of $340,000, based on using an existing customer-owned Skymaster that has no major defects and is moderately low time (i.e., like 2,500 to 3,500 TTAF) since zero-timing it is an option to add and above the base price. That includes a wide range of modifications, so it isn't just the engines that you get.

(Of note, this is not far from the Riley Rocket II pricing which they say "starts at $250,000" but some say in reality is more like $300,000 once you add in the equivalent modifications package that the Golden Hawk includes as standard.)

The standard Golden Hawk modifications package includes the following in the base price: new Hartzell propellers that have been custom-engineered and designed for the aircraft and engine; electrical strip tape anti-icing on wing leading edges and props; the gear door STC; dual electrical systems; an updated electrically actuated hydraulic system; fuel heat and engine block heat (for cold weather and high altitudes); modified cowlings, wrap-around front windshield without the central support; Horton STOL; an MVP-50P avionics system that is customized for the aircraft and engines; plus wing spoilers to allow the plane to descend more rapidly, and more.

All Golden Hawk aircraft will undergo an extensive 101-point inspection program, including the wing spar inspection that has been a widely discussed issue in the forum -- so this is a good way to get the inspection done and a major transformational upgrade at the same time.

Performance is essentially the same or better than the military version, which gives (based on the TFHawk.com website): more than 12 hours endurance on just 166 gallons of either Jet A, Russian TS-1 or diesel truck fuel from a regular truck stop, or any mixture thereof with no changes to engine settings; normal operating altitudes of up to 25,000 feet; no loss of power/manifold pressure up to FL185; and climb rates that are out of this world.

The plane can fly non-stop from Kitty Hawk to San Diego.

The company will offer the conversion in both non-pressurized and pressurized versions, though they state that the PRESSURIZED version may be preferred because of the typical high altitude operating profiles. Of note, this means that for the first time in Skymaster history, the heavier pressurized version of the plane (the P337) is superior! With the diesel conversion, there is sufficient power in the engines so that the extra weight of the P isn't a problem. Thus the Golden Hawk converts the old dog of a pressurized Skymaster into a little high altitude sportscar, giving the passengers extra comfort without having to wear masks or tube-based O2 in the plane. This will inject some life back into the Skymaster market, no doubt.


They are looking for some qualifying aircraft to convert..........don't forget the checkbook.