VIKING of the MONTH
July 1999
"Miss July"
N 147PH is a 1974 Super Viking owned by Ron Bianchi
This Viking is based in Leesville, Louisiana (L39)
Ron writes; "I purchased my 1974 17-30A in October of 1991 from Miller, after a two year search. Records say I am the third private owner of the plane. I bought the Viking with 2000 hours on it, took delivery with a first time overhaul after I had Miller fly it for 25 hours prior to delivery. From the get go I had erratic oil consumption. Found through the logs that the rear cylinder(closest to me feet) had been honed twice prior to overhaul at various shops. At about 400 hours that cylinder let go and cracked between the spark plug and valve. The mechanic said the cylinder bore was at the outer limits and had to be over bored or replaced. We replaced it. . I have had no problems since. Time on the engine is now 765. I am based at 275 above sea level, always pull the prop back to 2500 RPM but leave the throttle full in until I reach altitude which is generally over 7000 Ft. I lean to 16 gallons at 5000 Ft. on climb out. I run to the top of the lean on the EGT at cruise, seems I have two full turns (back) after I reach peak on the EGT before the engine even thinks about getting rough, Temps stay in the middle of the green. I use Philips oil and use about one quart in seven hours, one quart in ten hours on long flights. I always fill to ten quarts prior to any flight. *** As part of my pre-flight I include checking the gear fluid***, I found it doesn't need to be very low to have the gear motor work in flight trying to hold the gear up It took me two overhaul and a replacement of the gear motor to figure that out, (slow learner). N147PH is IFR certified in I or INDIA, has a full king panel to include a storm scope, Rnav, ADF, loran, century two auto pilot. I have installed a four way intercom, The new type compass that turn in the same direction as the plane, (can't remember the name of it), Bracket Air Filter, I have had the step removed, all tubing under he plane as well as the exhaust stacks cut short, wing tip strobes recessed, antennas removed from the top, beacon remove, gear doors re inforced, prop polished. Leading edge strips (black)added, Prop balanced at least every two years. Tach checked, mine is off 130 R.P.M. on the high side. Miller claims a 12 mile per hour increase, I think about eight to ten. On a GOOD day at 25/25 at about 7000 Ft. I will get a true 171 Knots. The guys at our airport say I am the only one they have ever seen clean an airplane with a "Q" tip. Not so, well maybe, but I do clean it up after every flight, at least get bugs off. I have a couple locals do a full polish and clean up every three months."
Ron can be reached at:
rbianchi@bellsouth.net
Picture YOUR Airplane Here
Send me photos and some history about your Viking, and I'll place it on this page for all Bellanca Fans to see! Snail mail photos to: 3741 N. Forgeus Ave, Tucson, AZ 85716 (all photos will be returned promptly)...or e-mail .jpg files to:
Vikingdrvr@att.net
Previous "Vikings of the Month"
N 1285R...Don Ame's 1972 Turbo Viking
N 93570...Larry Smalley's 1973 17-31A
N 39819...Jim Howell's 1973 17-30A
N 4081B...Tom Binder's 1975 17-31ATC
N 4052B...The DeFoe's 1976 17-30A
N 28067...Craig Gifford's 1979 17-30A
N 6578V...James Gryder's 1970 17-31ATC
N 93554...Troy Foster's 1974 17-31ATC
N 110CB...RJ Lint's 1974 17-30A
N 6639V...Michael Waiwood's 1970 17-30A
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