P337 with 350hp TSIO-550s

rhurt · #1 09-20-08, 03:12 PM

I should have some pics in the next couple of days.

I flew it again yesterday and I remain impressed. We did some takeoff roll and climb tests at 5500 lbs and 310 hp setting. Takeoff roll was 1350 feet and a five minute climb from 3000 feet put us at 12,500.

With the 3-bladed schmitar props the thing is quieter than a stock p337, so the gross weight increase should not be a problem. He's going for 5,700# with the 550s or with the Riley 520s.

Next week we'll take it up to fl 250 and do some speed tests. I'm expecting to see way more than 230 kts.

By the way, the flights were on a 87f day, but the cabin temp was 72 because of the Aviation Enterprises A/C system.

rhurt · #2 10-01-08, 02:06 AM

I did not get to fly last Friday. I turned wrenches instead. The chief pilot flew it though, and at 5,700 lbs, with slightly more headwind and a more nose up attitude, he got the thing off the ground in 1150 feet. Still had good grond sound measurements, even at 800' agl and 310 hp power settings.

I should be taking it to fl 250 this Friday for a speed run. And I'll get some pictures.

Had an Aspen Avionics Pilot Pro PFD installed in my '66 -A, mated to an ARC 400 autopilot. I should have it back this week and will start another post to tell how well it works with the a/p and the 530.

Also, some of the mechanic work I was doing last Friday was on some 25-gallon underwing fuel tanks, four in all, mounted to the hard points used in the O-2's. May have some pics of those also.

rhurt · #3 10-02-08, 08:53 AM

Some phone camera pix of the p337 with TSIO 550s. Obviously all the work is prototype.

WebMaster · #4 10-02-08, 10:06 PM

Thank you for posting the pictures.

It looks like the intakes for the front engine are smaller than I would have thought. Also, it looks like there is a supplemental intake, on the front engine. The rear engine looks just really massive.

thank you again for posting the pictures.

rhurt · #5 10-07-08, 07:28 PM

The front engine cools very well and the rear engine cools better than the front. Last Friday as I was climbing to 17,500 and noticed the rear engine chts were starting to creep up. I realized I left the cowl flaps closed and the engine immediately cooled down when I opened them. By the way, there are no cowl flaps in front, just cowl outlets/exhaust pipe fairings similar to the Piper Malibu.

At 17,500 I saw about 235kt tas at about 70% power.

I haven't gotten the "66 back yet. They are dialing in the Aspen PFD. During the test flight the compass swung 15 degrees off when we turned on the air conditioning. Aspen is sending a new module.

hharney · #6 10-07-08, 08:33 PM

What was the cost to install the Pro? This seems to be an unknown at most shops. It really depends on the aircraft and not too many 337 drivers are installing these yet. Do you know of any other 337's that have installed the unit? Who is installing yours?

rhurt · #7 10-08-08, 10:19 PM

The installed cost was quoted at $14k, including moving some of the vacuum instruments around. I don't know of any other 337's with it installed.

Chad, with Cumberland Avionics at KJWN (Nashville - John Tune) is doing the install, and has done work on several Skymasters, but this is his first pro in one.

A big part of the cost justification for me was getting GPSS in the plane, so my big question is how well it works with the old navomatic 400. We'll see.

Randy Hurt