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Dear Sirs,
With regards to an engine failure before getting the gear up.
With the original main gear doors climb rate will reduce to near zero (or perhaps a slow descent) on one engine while the gear is in transit. If the gear doors are remove by way of the RT Aerospace deletion kit this will not be the case, and the climb will be virtually unaffected durring gear retraction. The kit also offers the benefit of a much simpler system and a quicker cycle time (approx half).
Please bear in mind that the flap setting many Pilots use for takeoff is a double edged sword. While is does reduce the takeoff speed and distance it also adds significant drag. This is generally not a factor twin engine, but may make all the difference when single engine. Most manuals for the 336/337 clearly state the reduction in single engine climb rate due to various flap settings.
I installed the Horton STOL kit on my 336 a few years ago, and found the takeoff performance with Zero flaps to be better than it previously was with Takeoff Flaps. Single engine climb for my aircraft also improved 100 Ft/Min under sea level 80 degree conditions (full fuel one pilot).
I believe that the best information available will be obtained by spending an hour or two finding the true performance of your own aircraft under various conditions and configurations.
I for one know that my 336 will takeoff (gross weight 80 degrees sea level) with the either the front or rear engine windmilling and climb at least to 1000 ft AGL at 350 and 250 ft/min respectively.
Good to know when the passengers are the wife and kids.
If any of you get any numbers on this please let us all know
Regards
James T.Grant
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