RT vs Owen Bell Cargo Pod

[rhurt]

My POH for a T337G says the pod penalty is 3 kt airspeed, 50 fpm climb, and 1500' service ceiling. The service ceiling is a question in my mind though, since the plane is certified to 20,000' but I haven't found a service ceiling listed. I expect it would still do 20k with a pod, and probably 25k.

Does anyone know what the rules are about taking a plane past its certified ceiling? Does that make you a test pilot with void insurance?

I would buy the pod from Owen. I am biased though. He built the pod on my plane (337a), and one difference may be that he has an access door in the front of the pod for access to the front gear service panel. He's been doing fiberglass work for more than 30 years and has enough molds to make an O2 from scratch. You could even stop in Nashville and have him install it during your trip back.