cruise speed non turbo at altitude

Son of Thor · #1 10-20-10, 09:21 PM

I'm looking at buying a 337 but cant decide if a non turbo might fit the bill. Can anyone tell me what speed a naturally aspirated 337 cruises at at 10,500? and 15,000?

hharney · #2 10-20-10, 10:10 PM

For the most part I plan for 160 kts at 10K. 15K is pushing the sweet zone but if winds were in favor it might make sense. The normal aspirated Skymaster likes 9 to 12K. Take a look on Flightaware once in a while. Granted you won't always know what vintage and power the aircraft has but you can figure it out most of the time with a little research.

Here is a good example, same day, round trip. Here we are going west into the wind and empty:
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N.../KRGK/tracklog

Here we are returning with the wind and full gross weight. Long cruise climb but pick up some speed at altitude:
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N.../KAZO/tracklog

WebMaster · #3 10-21-10, 08:53 PM

I remember this

dwbomber · #4 10-22-10, 03:02 AM

In my opinion, speed is no consideration when choosing to fly a skymaster. Safety was my only reason. If you do all of your flying from sea level to 5,000 feet, then a normal might fit your bill. You should compare the single-engine service ceiling numbers between the normal and turbos. To me, the main reason that skymasters are safe, is that right off the runway you blast through single-engine Vx & Vy. Turbos seem to fit my mission. Jim

Roger · #5 10-22-10, 10:33 AM

I completely agree with dwbomber. Define your mission, and pick the right plane.