March 5, 2003
WE'LL BE AT SUN 'N FUN
(Carlsbad, CA) -- If you are planning to attend the show at Sun 'n Fun,
we'll be there with a display aircraft at areas 33 and 34. It should be a
great show this year. Hope you can make it. If you are unable to
attend, please contact us and ask for a packet of material on our aircraft.
November 20, 2002
AOPA 2002 - WHAT A BLAST!
(Palm Springs, CA) -- This was a great show and we were prominently
displayed in front of the main auditorium. Several thousand
attendees made the Riley Super Skyrocket and the newest member of our growing
product family, the SMA diesel-engined 182, one of the most popular displays.
MEET OUR NEWEST FISHER-PRICE PILOT - BREANN
"Can we go for a ride now?" "Is everybody buckled in?"
"Now this is my idea of fun...."
October 11, 2002
SEE US AT AOPA 2002!
(Carlsbad, CA) -- A reminder - Riley will be at the static display area
in Palm Springs with a Riley Super Skyrocket. Riley staff will be taking
requests for demo rides for all potential buyers.
September 18, 2002
HARTZELL PROPELLER TEST
(Carlsbad, CA) -- Hartzell Propeller visited the Riley facilities to
test various propeller configurations for certification with the new SMA
SR305-230 engine. Hartzell representatives conducted a variety of strain
gauge tests using both the 2 bladed and 3 bladed props. The tests are
critical to determine the final propeller selection for use with the new engine.
Hartzell with make their recommendation in a few weeks.
September 12, 2002
DIESEL ENGINE IN YOUR FUTURE!!
(Carlsbad, CA) -- Riley and SMA (France) have joined forces to develop
the first FAA approved STC using the Jet A powered SMA engine in a general
aviation aircraft. Mr. Al Beech piloted the first cross country flight of
a general aviation aircraft using Jet A fuel when he flew the specially
outfitted 182 from Daytona Beach, FL to Carlsbad, CA in 16 hours. Beech
reported no unusual events during the flight other than some "wide-eyed fuel
operators". The aircraft was flown at 100% power, and averaged 200 hp.
Riley engineers are developing the STC to install the FAA certified SMA SR305-230 engine in the Cessna 182 aircraft. The engine will provide 40% greater fuel efficiency, meaning a 40% range improvement for most aircraft. The typical 182 burns AV gas at a rate of approximately 11 - 13 gph. The same airplane would burn 6.9 gph using the new SMA engine. Interest in the new development has been unusually high, states Riley representatives, with owners of various other general aviation aircraft expressing interest in installing the engine in their planes. The 230 hp engine received FAA approval in July, 2002. It is anticipated the FAA will grant the installation STC approval in the first quarter, 2003. The aircraft will be on display at AOPA 2002 in Palm Springs, CA in October.
In addition, Riley engineers are currently working on the SMA engine upgrade for the normally aspirated Cessna 337. The new 260 hp engine is scheduled for release by SMA next summer. Riley Managing Director Richard Honn says the early results of the new engine installation indicates significant performance improvements and durability. "This Jet-A engine marks the beginning of a new era in general aviation for the 182 and other aircraft currently under consideration for the upgrade". The company has been accepting REFUNDABLE deposits for a scheduling position for the installation of the engine on either the 182 or 337 aircraft. Please contact the Sales Department at 800 841-1115 for further details.
July 30, 2002
OSHKOSH UPDATE
(Oshkosh, WI) -- The turnout at Oshkosh was fantastic! Our Riley
Super Skyrocket display aircraft
was a hit. Many old friends and new ones met with Riley staff to
discuss the recent innovations with
the planes and plans for future technological changes. We were
particularly encouraged with the large
number of fans of the O2 that had not previously seen the Riley
conversions. The attendance at the
show was greater than expected and enthusiasm was everywhere.
August 10, 2001
OSHKOSH DISPLAY BRINGS KUDOS...
(Oshkosh, WI) -- Riley featured the newest Riley Super Skyrocket and Riley Skyrocket at the EAA Airshow this year. The turnout was exceptionally high and the reception given to the two new airplanes was gratifying. Over 2,000 pilots and interested parties visited the display area to see the new aircraft during the week long showcase.
A common remark heard over and over was the acknowledgement of the exceptional workmanship of the plush leather cabin area and the quality of avionics offered as standard features of both models.
Discussing the Riley Skyrocket
Riley Super Skyrocket on Display
This was the second public showing of Riley aircraft in several years and marks the beginning of ongoing displays at the bigger airshows in the future. The Company plans to have similar aircraft displays at the AOPA show in Ft. Lauderdale in November and Sun 'n Fun next spring.
October 24, 2000
GRAND OPENING A HUGE SUCCESS!
(Porterville, CA) -- Over 400 pilots, community leaders and political representatives attended the Grand Opening ceremony of the new Riley SuperSkyrocket/Tule River Aero-Industries production facility today. Senator John McCain released a Press Release commending the "economic development venture for construction/manufacturing of light twin engine aircraft". It featured one of the largest gatherings of 337 aircraft in recent times with a meticuluous fixed-gear 336 all the way through the P337 Skymaster, P337 Riley Skyrocket and topped with a Riley Super Skyrocket. There was an airplane to whet any appetite, including a new Riley Skyrocket just off the production lines ready for delivery to its owner, Mr. Gene Micek!
Taking a Good Look at the
Riley Super Skyrocket
(Owner - Paul Trudeau)
Over 400 People Enjoying the
Great Food and Impressive Ceremonies in the 20,000 sq. ft. Facility
October 12, 2000
RILEY SKYROCKET ON DISPLAY
AT AOPA 2000
(Carlsbad, CA) -- Riley SuperSkyrocket will static display a brand new Riley
Skyrocket at the huge AOPA 2000 show in Long Beach, CA from October 20-22. This
airplane just came off the production lines and features a full stack of Garmin radios and
the latest in avionics from Avidyne and Bendix-King. Pilots will also note the
handsome leather covered glareshield with new strip lighting to fully illuminate the
instrument panel. The aircraft is powered by Teledyne Continental TSIO360CB engines
and McCauley props.
The pilot and passengers can relax in the comfort of the newly designed high-back seating made of the finest, supple leathers. The custom luxury interior is designed to color-coordinate with the aerodynamically smoothed exterior in the recognized Riley exterior paint scheme.
The airplane also features the Riley Air Conditioning System, the Riley Inflatable Door Seal, Riley Intercoolers and Riley Pressurized Magnetos.
The company invites all attendees to drop by and take a look at the newest Riley Skyrocket. Representatives of the company will be on hand to answer any questions.
August 30, 2000
GRAND OPENING CEREMONIES ANNOUNCED
(Carlsbad, CA) -- Riley SuperSkyrocket
has just announced the formal Grand Opening ceremony to introduce the GA world to their
new, 20,000 sq. ft. production facility in Porterville, CA. The festivities are
scheduled to last all day October 24 with fly overs, aircraft displays and plenty of good
food. Many State and Federal legislators are scheduled to attend the ceremony
marking the introduction of this newest addition to the aviation industry. The new
facility will be home to the Riley aircraft production and maintenance efforts. The
new facility is the result of a collaborative effort between Riley SuperSkyrocket and Tule
River Aero-Industries to bring the most innovative production techniques and highly
engineered products to the aviation industry.
Pilots of 337 aircraft are especially invited to bring their birds to
this festive occasion to look over the new plant and meet the highly qualified men and
women of the organization. Bring your friends and families and enjoy good times,
good food and good flying!! If you are interested in participating in the fly-over,
please contact: MaryAnn Kingsley at Riley SuperSkyrocket, 800 841-1115 for more
details.
August 30, 2000
"ATTA-BOY"FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE
(Manchester, NH) -- Dear MaryAnn and Dick,
I thought I'd drop you a note regarding some "real world" experiences with my 74/95 P-337 Riley Skyrocket.
APPEARANCE: There hasn't been a time when I'm on a ramp someplace other than home when someone doesn't come over and faun all over the Skyrocket. The paint has held up for 5 years, and today it still looks like new. People love the color scheme, and the leather/suede interior makes their mouths water.
PANEL: I call my plane...RoboPlane. On top
of the great original stack, I've swapped out for a new Garmin-530 GPS/Com/Nav. Then
I added a R. C. Allen Standby DC attitude indicator. I'm about to install the S-Tec GPSS
roll steering program to augment the rate-based S-Tec 65 AP/FD, with the 360 Altitude
Pre-Select. This addition will give me a complete de-powered set of instruments and
flight control not influenced by vacuum pumps.
People need to understand the safety of having their flight control set
up this way versus relying on notoriously unreliable vacuum pumps for the autopilot and
AI. Think about it...in just one "horizontal scan" I can read by T&B,
my DC-AI, and my HSI...all not influenced by vacuum! I honestly believe that this
fact alone makes the Skyrocket the safest twin in the sky!
Also in my panel are duel JPI's for engine EGT/CHT monitoring.
Plus, I STC'd out the Cessna fuel flow meter in favor of the Shadin Fuel Totalizer.
In my second scan, I can see engine temps, fuel flow, MP and RPM all in one small
area. When I say to myself "let's go flying" I can say it with confidence
in good engines.
Lastly, we come to the Power Pac Spoilers...perhaps one of the best
STC'd items available. I come down from altitude at full cruise power and
RPM...never having to "pull back an inch at a time" as you'd do in a normal
twin...because, the spoilers bring me down at 1000 FPM without exceeding the Green Arc.
This is a perfectly engineered solution to avoid shock cooling the engines.
RILEY INTERCOOLERS: Forget any story you might have heard about engines overheating on P337's...ain't so. Having read about Malibu's, Barons, Bonanza's and other turbocharged airplanes burning up engines well before TBO, I knew there was a better solution. Remember, I came from flying a 1980 C-340 Ram IV with American Aviation Intercoolers...perhaps the best mating of power and reliability factors in G.A. But again, I honestly think that the Riley Intercoolers with the TCM Factory Re-Man TSIO-360CB engines are a perfect engineering solution. I hold an awful high percentage of power all the way up to 20,000 thanks to the Intercoolers. When you read how many planes burn up engines and cylinder heads...isn't it amazing that any turbocharger engine is still in the air without Intercoolers? Climb, descent, cruise... look at the JPI's...they tell you the story...cool as a cucumber in the Skyrocket!
PERFORMANCE: Here's where the fun
starts. First off, the ergonomics of the panel layout and controls makes the
Skyrocket a perfect easy-fly in hard IFR. It's stable, stable, stable.
Everything is where you'd expect it to be, and it's very logical, thus requiring a minimum
of hand travel. Then there's visibility...all around it's quite a panorama going
VFR. Next is climb...like a wild ape! Go to BlueLine and you're at 2,000
FPM. Level out to 120 KIAS and you'll have a nice deck angle and you'll hit 1,450
FPM. Establish cruise and you'll be burning approximately 25 GPH TOTAL! For a
twin,... any twin, that's inexpensive flying.
Then look at your TAS, you'll be amazed. Hit 10,000 feet MSL and
you'll see about 185KTAS. Continue on up to 20,000 feet and Jack Riley was
right...217KTAS! I usually wave when I pass a 310 Malibu!
With the Horton STOL kit, this baby stalls at 48KIAS...48! It
lands easily in less than 750 feet without smoking the brakes, and take-off is greatly
enhanced...though for the sake of safety, I rotate at 85KIAS...usually about 1,200 feet
down the runway. Get the gear up at 750 feet AGL, and you're home free if you should
lose one engine.
Single engine performance training is a blast. No Vmc here.
the Skyrocket will NOT kill you unless you do something really stupid. If you lose
an engine and the gear is up...just keep on climbing...generally about 300 FPM average on
either engine. Lose one at altitude, and settle in at 18,500 feet cruising at
160KTAS. I've heard the joke that if you lose an engine in a Skyrocket don't declare
an emergency...declare an inconvenience! Just about right, I'd say.
The last element of performance is range. With the Flint
long-range tanks, I make it non-stop from Manchester, New Hampshire to Charleston, South
Carolina with 2 hours fuel still on board upon landing! And I get there in just over
4 hours of great, comfortable flying at 75% power. In reality, my butt gives out
long before the range of the plane.
PRESSURIZATION---2 KINDS: The P337 system is a
snap. Basically set it and forget it. No leaks, no adjustments, no real
worries. With the Riley pneumatic door seal, the cabin is tight and quiet. The
system gives you a 10,000 foot cabin at 20,000 feet. All things considered. it's
great. My C-340 had a light go on at 23,000 feet to tell me that the cabin was above
12,500 feet and that we need oxygen. In fact, most of us never really get much above
20,000 feet anyway...so a bigger pressure differential is not even needed!
The next part of the system is perhaps one of the most important to
me...The Riley Pressurized Magnetos. I used to tool around in a 1996 Piper Seneca
IV. It was great until we got to about 10,000 MSL. Then if just a whisp of
condensation was in the air...off they'd go. The mags would misfire like crazy!
In a brand new plane, yet. I'd secure the engine and land. The AP's
would look it over and tell me nothing was wrong. What they didn't tell me was that
unpressurized magnetos misfire a lot under those conditions. And the simple solution
of pressurizing them was something that the manufacturer didn't engineer into a $476,000
aircraft!
In the Skyrocket, I've never had a misfire...ever. I've never
felt for a moment that the engines were anything but reliable. After all, they were
intercooled, pressurized mag'd, never shock-cooled, and always treated gently...even in
training.
WORKMANSHIP: The plane is clean, and easy to work
upon. Look, I've owned three other twins and a single. None of them have a lot
of room, and even the famous RAM engines have stuff packed in there. All I can say
is put that nonsense aside and look at reality...the plane is no tougher to maintain than
any other twin.
Cessna parts are widely available, and SuperSkyrocket, LLC has been
very helpful in diagnosing problems and shipping parts special to Skyrockets.
Everything has held up for five years now. Like I said, I generally spend ten
minutes or so everyplace I stop answering questions and accepting praise at what a
beautiful and interesting ship she is.
CONCLUSION: Amazingly, in 1971 Cessna was way
ahead of the world with the engineering on this airplane. Riley took it one step
further, and Riley SuperSkyrocket takes it even further in terms of engineering and
reliability.
Remember back to the 1970's. No one was building safety...Volvo's
didn't sell very well then. You had to have fins, chromed exhausts, carburetors up
through the hood, and four-on-the-floor shifting feeding those big "hemis" and
muscle cars. The engineering mindset at the Cessna Pawnee Division was on the edge
of something special, the world just wasn't ready yet.
Now in the new millennium, look what is being proposed by Embry-Riddle
design students and the new Adam Mark-20 from Scaled Composites and Burt Rutan. New
designs are starting to look like P337's! After decades of bad basic twin design,
center-line safety is winning.
The Riley Skyrocket is as much a marvel of engineering, craftsmanship, and evolution as it is a work of art. A lot of people must agree because the most often heard statement I get is "Hey, if you ever have an open co-pilot seat, I'd love to fly in your Skyrocket".
All in all, the P-337 Riley Skyrocket is a superb blend of engineering and art. Keep up the good work.
Gary M. O'Neil
AirAlexia, LLC
N56S
1974/95 T-337G Riley Skyrocket
April 25,2000 (Official Press Release)
RILEY PUSH-PULL ENGINEERED TO NEW HEIGHTS !!!
(Carlsbad, Calif.) -- Jack Riley's vision for Cessna's innovative 337 Skymaster centerline thrust aircraft is reality! Riley SuperSkyrocket, LLC (SSR) was formed to turn Jack's creative ideas into engineered products. SSR acquired Riley's 337 Skymaster Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) in September, 1996 upon Riley International's bankruptcy. The new owners, Mary Ann Kingsley, Richard Honn, and R. Patrick McCullogh, are focused on engineering and production of Jack's vision.
The owners are convinced that the 40-year reputation of Riley as a premier producer of general aviation products will catch the attention of serious aviators who endorse the Riley 337 modifications. Both the Riley Skyrocket and Riley Super Skyrocket aircraft products feature innovative modifications that have gained widespread market acceptance.
SSR has combined degreed engineers with the best of the Riley airframe, powerplant and avionics/electrical experts to transform the Riley 337-based aircraft into a sustainable business. The focus is on creating production aircraft , with repeatable parts quality and assembly interchangeability. This required the investment of thousands of engineering man-hours spent reviewing the Riley STC's as well as the building of initial Skyrocket and Super Skyrocket products (see Private Pilot Magazine, November, 1998). In the Riley tradition, these products are FAA-approved and feature factory-remanufactured engines, custom avionics and the all-new paint and leather upholstery that identify the airplane as a "Riley." Both products offer the Riley air-conditioning system, pressurized magnetos and inflatable pneumatic door seal. The Super Skyrocket further enhances the aircraft with 310-hp engines, 3-bladed props, new electrical charging system, new pressurization system, and structural improvements. These aircraft are designed to reach higher altitudes at faster speeds using twin engine power without the safety concerns of other twin engine aircraft.
"Although we have made a conscientious effort to delay heavy promotion of both the Skyrocket and Super Skyrocket products," says Mary Ann Kingsley, "we are getting calls from people who are thrilled to hear that the Riley aircraft are available. We have been dedicating our efforts to working with profession al engineers to computerize the parts and drawings needed to produce the airplanes. Our goal is to produce a high quality, FAA-approved, affordable product that not only flies faster and higher, but also is the safest aircraft in the general aviation marketplace." To ensure state-of-the-art engineering, Riley SuperSkyrocket has developed close affiliations with the University of California at San Diego and six European engineering Universities located in Germany and France. Richard Honn, the Managing Direct or and technical head, states "our objective is to incorporate the latest technology into the 337 aircraft by utilizing the best engineering skills available globally." Riley SuperSkyrocket, located in new quarters at the Palomar Airport, continues to expand both its engineering and production capabilities. Our vision is to produce a revolutionary twin-engine aircraft for the discerning pilot.
December 31, 1998
400 HOUR MAINTENANCE-FREE SUPER SKYROCKET !!!
We have just received a call from an owner of one of our Riley Super Skyrockets. He has just announced that his airplane has flown 400 hours with no maintenance required other than the annual!!! The FBO stated that the airplane as a Skymaster was in the shop regularly for maintenance and now he sees the airplane just flying overhead since its conversion.
This is a great testimony to the quality workmanship of the Riley conversions.