Rob:

** the blanket statement that a mechanically driven supercharger will result in a slower airplane,**

I have never heard George say that. That would be an incorrect statement from my perspective. Speed is not the driving issue as George's comments have gone. George has referred to efficiency and the inherent plusses and minuses of each system. There are some significant drawbacks which seem to be overlooked by people when examining the operational implications of supercharging with gear/belt-driven units.

Walter