Riley Super Skyrocket !

[rrolland]

Michel:

I own a standard Riley Rocket which is the same aircraft as the Super Rocket with the exception of the engines. The systems are the same, the complexity the same.

If your aircraft is flown regularly and maintained appropriately, it will be reliable. And an incredible performer with the extra power. Single Engine rate of climb should be in excess of 500PFM.

The same drawbacks will exist: it is tight under both cowlings and access often requires removing other components and...patience.

You will need to find a mechanic who does not mind the challenge.

Payload will be in exchange of range. This is true of the Rocket as well but more so for the Super Rocket. Some of the Super Rockets have limited payload left at full fuel. So the payload comes off the fuel load.

It all depends on your mission.

Enjoy the Super Rocket!

Richard

[mikezen]

Thank you for this positive testimony !

[Red Air Rambo]

Hi Michel, a friend had one and he loved it...you will too! His ran a little hot on the rear and He added the cooling kit from Owen Bell which consists of about 3 more vents and an added scoop...but every plane is different so fly it first...if it made it this long without anybody adding it then its probably good. +1 one on everything Richard and Herb said. it's a plane that falls into the hot rod rule of "There's no replacement for displacement" lol.

Have fun,
Brent

[mikezen]

Thanks Brent !

[JimC]

They're the same engines as the Cessna 340, so you can expect maintenance costs to be similar.

340s can cost upwards of $350,000 so owners aren't as surprised when they have a $25,000 annual.

337s often cost less than $100,000 so owners can be more surprised when an annual costs $25,000. (If a Rocket costs less than $100,000 it needs a lot of work!)

I've owned both a 340 and a 337. They each have their own uses. But don't expect one to cost less than the other.

[mikezen]

Thank you Jim !

[mshac]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but IIRC, with full fuel, a Super Skyrocket has a payload of less than 200 lbs. There was supposedly an STC to increase grow weight to 5400 lbs, not sure if it ever happened: http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?d...4-6988ade12e5c

[mikezen]

As an answer to Nate's (6498w) question :

"Hi Michel,
Did you end up buying the Super Skyrocket? I'm looking at one now and having the same thoughts you had when you started this post. I'm wondering if you have any insight you can offer after hopefully having a successful purchase!
Thank you,
Nate"

I finally did not buy the Riley Super Skyrocket I was looking at : it had lost it's Gross Weight increase to 5120 lbs.
With a 4700 lbs Gross Weight, it just isn't worth it : with 800 lbs useful load, you never can have full tanks (148 USG) : the aircraft becomes a Formula 1 !