Looking for fast single piston aircraft

Mooney or Bonanza? SR20 getting close in price. But full fuel and 4 seats full at 160? We just attended the FCA national meet at about 464sm and chartered a Mooney N261R for that very reason. Plus got in some good IFR training. We had three seats full fuel. Loved the big side windows in the Mooney. Flight is on flightaware under N261R. Comfortable enough and I am told the cockpit is actually about an inch wider than the Bonanza. It is not as tall and you are much closer to the floor. Plus in the 9.5 GPH range.
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I think the last "single piston aircraft" was Wright brothers plane they built in 1903.

Sorry, couldn't help myself.....

 

That engine had four pistons, I believe.

 

An older Bonanza A36, or a straight 36. The 1968-69 36s were light, would hold at least 4 people, and cruise at 160 all day long. Expect legacy avionics, verge paint and interior though.

Art

 

Yep.

Fours....

Four cylinders, four inch stroke, four inch bore.


No fuel pump, no carb, no throttle, no spark plugs.

 

A Beech Debonair with an IO-470-N conversion (which are fairly common) should fit the bill. A Debonair with only 225HP will fall short in a couple areas. You specifically mention a single engine, otherwise I'd say take advantage of piston twin values being in the toilet. My Baron can very comfortably haul four adults and about 125 pounds of luggage with full tanks which gives me 5.5 hours of range at 180 knots.

 

I was mistaken.
Single cylinder engines are used in remote control model plane only I believe.

 

I like the Debonair idea. Or how about a Turbo 182RG?

 

Can you get a decent turbo 182RG that doesn't need an overhaul for $100k?



Mark

 

Here's a good comparison of fast piston singles. Mooney M20K 231 would be my choice for your criteria.

The Need For Speed! | PlaneAndPilotMag.com


Mark

 

How about a Navion? Perhaps a bit slower than your desired top speed, but a stylish and relatively inexpensive ride.

 

Bellanca Super Viking 17-31ATC. Post 1974. 170kts.

 

This one is asking $109k with 79 hours since factory overhaul:

1981 CESSNA TURBO R182RG SKYLANE Piston Single Aircraft For Sale At Controller.com

 

Super Viking would be very cool, if you are looking for something stylish and a bit different. Will the normally aspirated one do 170kts or do you need a turbo to get that?

 

You need the turbo. The 31ATC has twin rajays. The normally aspirated Super Viking will do 160 kits all day long. The post '74's have the much improved fuel management system. Simple left / right. Pre 74 had something like eight tanks and so many switches it made a Lockheed Jetstar's system look simple. These are fast planes for pretty cheap money. Mahogany wing, spar, and rags 'n' sticks construction require a very through ppi however. I use to fly a '79 31ATC. Absolutely loved it. Of course a Bonanza or Debie are much more stable, and hold their value much better but the Super Viking is a lot more fun and will out handle the Beech all day long.

 

Circa 1947 when I was working at Sarasota-Bradenton Airport I assisted a mechanic who was attempting to get 155 MPH cruise out of a Bellanca 14-13 by fiddling with the prop weights. We flew the airplane many times and I got familiar with it and really got to like the way it flew even though I was low time. He got some more speed out of it but not quite 155 MPH and this was with a 150 HP Franklin. They are incredible airplanes and I will always like the little "Cardboard Connie". In 1974 I flew with an airline pilot in a 230 Cruismaster and its cruise speed was over 200 if I remember. I would have one if I was rich, young, and single.

 

This may be close to what you are looking for....inexpensive on the front end.

1970 MOONEY M20E W/FACT J CONV • $59,000 • PRICED TO SELL • 70 Mooney M20e w/fact J front. TT 2844, 200hp FI Eng SMOH 887, Hartzell Scim Prop TTSN 639, 7 hr on top end; mags; and fuel Inj, 201 windshield, new ¼”glass all around, LED Lighting; Flap gap seals, Dorsal Fin w/Seals; Tail Root Fairing; Garmin 340 Audio Panel; Garmin SL30 Nav/Com with GL106 VOR/Glideslope indicator; JPM 830 Engine monitor/analyzer; Gami Injectors; Helm 650 GPS w/Trueflight, LED Panel Lighting; New Lthr int 2012, removable rear seats Brittain wing lvl w/ Accutrack A/P. Hangrd ELP. Times will change. $59k /trade for Sonex or 2 place tailwheel + cash. Jorge Briones • Contact Jorge L. Briones, Owner - located El Paso, TX USA • Telephone: 915-241-1652 . 9152411652 . • Fax: 9152411652 • Posted June 19, 2014 •
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Wow, I wish I was in the market.

Mark

 

I vote with Art. Bonanzas are great flying airplanes that hold their value well...

 

What kind of annual maintenance/operating budget does a plane in this category require?