Hi everyone. I have a 71 Super Viking and I am looking for some ideas for speed modifications to put on my plane. Currently my plane does not have gear doors so I was thinking about starting there?? I have a limited budget so I am looking for the biggest bang for the buck. All ideas are appreciated.
Speed Mods on a Super Viking???
- Thread starter vikingman
- Start date
walter calloway
New member
Viking Man!
Hopefully this subject will jump off and run here as I'm always looking for new ideas! I'll start off the parade of things to consider here, bearing in mind that I'm a realative newbie to ownership myself. When I asked the same question some time ago my mechanic and I found:
- Keep it clean inside and out. I must have vacumed 5 lbs of "stuff" out of mine during my first effort after purchase. A good wax job works..albeit only for a knot or two, but it all adds up.
-On the outside, remove anything not in use. Here I found an adf wire running from the windshield to the tail. A previous owner had removed the step from the entry side of the aircraft.....I think I would have left it on.
-I have discussed the pro/con 's with a few pilots on gear doors. On the one hand they clean up the bottom and will gain speed here. On the other is the purchase and installation cost. Another point is it would be yet another item that has the potential for failure, and needs to be addressed in maint. of the plane.
-I've found that these planes are extremly "clean " to begin with!.
-One last thing I was considering were wheel caps, but havent done much research yet.
Ok guys, what else did I miss?
Hopefully this subject will jump off and run here as I'm always looking for new ideas! I'll start off the parade of things to consider here, bearing in mind that I'm a realative newbie to ownership myself. When I asked the same question some time ago my mechanic and I found:
- Keep it clean inside and out. I must have vacumed 5 lbs of "stuff" out of mine during my first effort after purchase. A good wax job works..albeit only for a knot or two, but it all adds up.
-On the outside, remove anything not in use. Here I found an adf wire running from the windshield to the tail. A previous owner had removed the step from the entry side of the aircraft.....I think I would have left it on.
-I have discussed the pro/con 's with a few pilots on gear doors. On the one hand they clean up the bottom and will gain speed here. On the other is the purchase and installation cost. Another point is it would be yet another item that has the potential for failure, and needs to be addressed in maint. of the plane.
-I've found that these planes are extremly "clean " to begin with!.
-One last thing I was considering were wheel caps, but havent done much research yet.
Ok guys, what else did I miss? Ya I get a lot of bug build up here in the NE in the summer time. What type of wax do you use? I have heard the arguement for the gear doors in both directions. Not sure since I don't have them if its worth it. Any idea what it adds to the plane for speed? Is there anything else out there?
cruiseair74372
Member
There are folks out there that have flown the same plane with and without doors. They say they could not tell much of a difference, There is not much you can do to speed it up without spending big bucks. Gear doors about $2000. recess wing tip lights $500 for STC. Remove step $100 for patch and paint. lower cowl with nose gear door $5000 if you can find one. Remove all antenas and hide them in the wings $? Make sure doors and windows seal. 2 bladed prop. I have a friend with all that except antenas and the last time we flew side by side from Dallas to plainview and back we were just about side by side most of the way. Both planes are 1974 I have the step, lights and antenas sticking out, 3 Bladed prop and doors that do not seal well. :lol: :lol: :lol: