Budget Buy: Low cost speed
Bellanca Super Viking
THE REAL WORLD
Ken Ryan, 62, a resident of Alexandria, Minnesota, owns a nonturbocharged 1973 Super Viking 17–30A and estimates fixed costs—including hangar (he pays $125 per month), insurance, annual inspection, and an engine overhaul fund—at $4,800 a year. In addition to that, he and his partner each pay $125 an hour. His airplane was restored in 2001 with new fabric, windows, upholstery, and engine cylinders for $130,000 by the previous owner, but Ryan paid only $75,000 for it.
Handling qualities are one of the aircraft’s strong points with responsive ailerons that can take the aircraft from a left 60-degree bank to a right 60-degree bank in 1.5 seconds, if you need that. Another plus is speed, and Ryan files for 165 knots true airspeed at 11,000 feet. He flies about 100 to 120 hours per year. If he flies lean of peak he expects 160 knots true airspeed from the Continental IO-520 engine. He keeps it at 65 knots on final and 95 knots in the pattern.
The nosewheel is connected to the rudder pedals by welded rods, no springs involved; steering on the ground, therefore, is very sensitive. That can lead to a pilot-induced oscillation and if that happens, the result can be (will be) an excursion off the runway. Ryan has avoided that by adding power and getting back into the air for a go-around. “Most guys keep a hand on the throttle until they unbuckle the seatbelt,” he joked.
Email [email protected]
Whom to contact
Bellanca-Champion Club, P.O. Box 100, Coxsackie, New York 12051-0100, 518-731-6800, www.bellanca-championclub.com; Alexandria Aircraft LLC, 2504 Aga Drive, Alexandria, Minnesota 56308, 320-763-4088, www.bellanca-aircraft.com. Or www.vikingpilots.com.
Vref value
Vref, the AOPA partner offering aircraft value estimates, suggests a base retail value for the Bellanca Super Viking ranging from $63,000 for a 1980 model to $24,000 for a 1967 A model and $30,000 for an A/ATC model of the same year.
Recent advertised prices
Listed in Trade-A-Plane when this was written were 15 Bellanca Vikings priced at $49,950 to $115,000, with most in the $50,000 to $80,000 range. Most were Super Vikings. With the exception of a 1997 model ($115,000) and a 1980 model ($65,000), all were built in the 1970s.
Insurance costs
AOPA Insurance Services estimates a $75,000 (purchase price) Bellanca Super Viking will cost $2,800 per year to insure for pilots with 200 hours total time, no retractable time, and no make-and-model time.
How many in the fleet?
AIRPAC PlaneBase shows an FAA-registered fleet of 775 Bellanca Viking aircraft.
Financing
AOPA Finance estimates $521 per month for a $75,000 (purchase price) loan at 5.5 percent for 15 years, with 15 percent down.
Airworthiness directives
AD on the tail for an inspection every 50 hours where the horizontal stabilizer attaches to the vertical stabilizer.
Biggest plus
Speed.
Biggest minus
Slowing it down.
Things to watch out for
Sensitive nosewheel steering can result in pilot-induced excursions on the runway.
What else to consider
Hmm, still thinking. What airplane costs $75,000-$80,000 used but goes 165 knots?
Related Articles
