LYNN!  An O-550?  Why not a 3 rotor?  Everything else sound good.

Bob W.

The three rotor could do 300 HP for take off with a three bladed or a controllable pitch prop.

Cruise at 250 HP well lean of peak.  And it would be lighter than the Continental.

 

OK you talked me into it. A three rotor it is.

 

My friend who carts me to Sun&Fun each year in his Bonanza replaced the O-470 with an

O-550. That required a prop change as well so the new scimitar from Hartzell.

Down low he has to throttle back to stay below the red arc on the speed gage.

 

Take off is astounding. Climb out is at reduced throttle to avoid an uncomfortable angle.

The 550 can run well lean of peak where the 470 could not.  

 

A three rotor can do that with less weight.

 

Be sure you can still pull fuel during a Viking departure.

 

Lynn E. Hanover