Cessna 337 Skymaster... Engine failure over Biarritz!

[@MrNobody-ee9hp]

Great video. I would like to share a very important piece of information. I am an experienced 337 pilot. I was trained by a Vietnam pilot who flew the O2. It is virtually impossible to maintain Vyse under the following flight condition, rear engine windmilling, full flaps, and gear down. You cannot maintain blue line. Forget about climbing, forget about level flight. Start looking for a place to land. I loved my Skymaster. My $.02 worth.

[@theflyingfrog]

Thanks for sharing that information. I’ll pass it on to Peter the owner.

[@igclapp]

That's true for every light piston twin I'm aware of. You can only climb if you get the gear and flaps up. And even so you still might not be able to climb if too high, hot, or heavy.

[@MrNobody-ee9hp]

I agree but the 337 has an added misconception. The front and rear single engine performance is not the same and with centerline thrust you cannot bank into the good engine to manage asymmetrical thrust to eliminate some drag from cross controls.

[@igclapp]

@@MrNobody-ee9hp Yes, apparently it climbs better on the rear engine than the front. But the rear engine also has more tendency to overheat and fail from what I've heard.

[@gregfaris6959]

Well, true enough, but we have to be clear about what we mean by "full flaps". In the Vietnam War period, Cessnas had a ridiculous 40° flap setting, which basically attached two vertical barn doors to the wing trailing edge. This setting was great if you want to land on your own Koi pond, but otherwise would never be used unless your nosewheel is already over the runway threshold, so by the time you are "full flaps" you are neither looking to climb or looking for a place to land. But I don't know if this excessive flap setting (later eliminated and reduced to 30°) existed on the military 02's. I suspect it did.

[@rp4186]

Wonderful airplane. I flew one for about 2 and 1/2 years, flying bank checks back in the early 2000’s. Stable and reliable. Got about 1500 hours in them. Wouldn’t mind owning one. You have to monitor rear engine temperatures on the ground though, unless you get the rear engine scoop mods done or use the front engine to help keep rear engine cool on the ground.

[@theflyingfrog]

Thanks for your message! It’s a fabulous plane, and I hope I get to fly in it again soon.

[@Hottrader2000]

Might be the only UK Registered Airworthy 337 Currently, But not for long !!. We own G-BFJR, Very soon to be complete and certificated. Great video, very please to see it.

[@theflyingfrog]

That's great news Mark! I'll tell Peter... congratulations on your project. Bring it down to Arcachon or Biscarrosse when it's back in the air... that would make an amazing subject for a future video...

[@Hottrader2000]

@@theflyingfrog I may very well do just that, I will be mainly using to cross the channel to my home in Alderney.

[@theflyingfrog]

It’s a date!

[@Pilotc180]

I have a few hundred hours in the 337 and P337; both great airplanes that I enjoyed flying. Our home strip was 1800 feet of grass at 300’ elevation; never had an issue. They are just double barreled 182s-

[@theflyingfrog]

Thanks for watching and sharing your experience ✈️

[@videointercepter]

The venerable Mixmaster (one engine to dig the other to bury). I loved working on this aircraft. I only wish I could have put some time in the PIC seat.

[@williamedmonds9581]

I’m restoring my 1967 Cessna O-2 Skymaster. Thanks to Covid the funds are gone and having an incredibly hard time getting funds back or donations to help get the plane back on track. She flew several combat missions over Vietnam during the war and hasn’t flown since 1978 when she was delivered to the boneyard. It’s my dream to get her back in the air after 44 years of sitting and quietly waiting.

[@vzo8049]

I located 2 of these vietnam 02 skymasters dismantled in a shipping container, been there for 20 years.

[@williamedmonds9581]

@@vzo8049 Contact me. I’d love to know more.

[@vzo8049]

@@williamedmonds9581 im in the process of negotiation, i will contact you when i get them onto my property. Whats your contact details?, how do i get in touch?

[@theflyingfrog]

Hoping you get your project back on track, let me know how it’s going.

[@gary19222]

Lost the rear engine on a flight to Wyoming from California. Turned around and flew back to CA on front engine only.

[@gregfaris6959]

Hopefully you were still in California when this happened. I'm sure you would not make an error in judgement like that otherwise.

[@gary19222]

@gregfaris6959 it was my grandfathers plane and his call. He wanted to get it back to HIS mechanic. Engine was not completely lost just not running right.

[@gary412222]

Remembered our late friend Brian Arton. Gave me us a flip in his Sky Master in Hermanus South Africa in the late 1960's. .

[@theflyingfrog]

It’s a great plane, glad the video brought back some memories for you.

[@CaravanCircusBand]

Incredible setting, views, plane and music! Thanks for sharing this! Cheers

[@joeritota9073]

I love the MixMaster! Nothing like centerline thrust performance…of course, it’s a Cessna.

[@337pilot8]

For prolonged flight on one engine you might want to consider opening the cowl flaps on the functioning engine

[@theflyingfrog]

Thanks for the tip!

[@thatguyalex2835]

@@theflyingfrog The pilot did a great job at flying the plane during a dicey situation such as an engine failure, props to him. :)

[@K1W1fly]

I've flown one. very solid feel to it, quite heavy on the controls but very stable. Huge amount of drag when the gear cycles, but its a very cool system.

[@sarahfitzpatrick6100]

Brilliant & informative video about this gorgeous warbird .

[@theflyingfrog]

Thanks Sarah

[@davidcartwright5591]

Reminds me of the time many moons ago when I was a passenger on a Robertson Stol Conversion variant of a C 337 from Guernsey down to Jersey . I seem to recall how noisy it was , music to the ears 😀. All my best wishes Mark .

[@theflyingfrog]

@@davidcartwright5591 Actually I was quite surprised at how quiet it was inside... it's a real mini-airliner, fully IFR equipped. I understand there are even some pressurised versions. Happy new year David.

[@brentcwong]

I grew up flying with my dad in a 337G. This brought back great memories. Thanks!

[@theflyingfrog]

Thanks Brent, I’m glad you enjoyed the video!

[@stefanoostan3744]

Amazing aircraft

[@Subgunman]

Excellent video! Brings back lots and lots of memories. Started in a 337 from the get go with a friends father who owned the aircraft and was a CFI. Went IFR certified within the same year. Flew u til the late 70’s and let my license lapse. Mid nineties went back for recertification and had to start in a 172(#%***^) kinda upset my instructor when I reverted to flying by instruments, had to find my old log book to show him why. Do miss the 337, had to drop training when daughter was born. Sure miss flying, if I could only find one of the rare pressurized versions……… Basler Air up in Osh Kosh (who do the turboprop conversions of the DC3 ) did a turboprop conversion of a 337. Odd to see no front prop.

[@theflyingfrog]

Great to hear your stories! It really is an incredible plane. I’m just glad that I’m not the one paying for the fuel consumption… My Jodel only has one engine and works out a lot cheaper! I hope you get back flying again soon.

[@schillaci5590]

Mercy buckets for a splendid demonstration of what happens when you fail an engine on a 337. SFA! ;-)

[@theflyingfrog]

Thanks for your comment! A bientôt

[@joserafaelgarciamorales8724]

I'm glad you guys are ok.

[@Edubarca46]

My favourite twin engine civil aircraft. I would have loved to own a real one. I am just finishing a balsa radio control scale Skymaster. Your version is really beautiful and very well kept and maintain. Congratulations. Greetings from Colombia.

[@theflyingfrog]

Thank you for your comments and welcome to the channel!

[@ErikssonTord_2]

@@theflyingfrog Is it a balsa kit, or just your own design?!

[@JodelFlyer]

That looked like great fun and what an airpark to live in!! 🙂

[@theflyingfrog]

Yes it's an amazing place to live. there's another one in France (Vendée Air Park), but Biscarrosse seems to be the best. Handy for the seaplane club too.

[@bill45colt]

hazel green international in alabama has homes along runway at affordable prices and no HOA

[@theflyingfrog]

@@bill45colt would be great to visit one day

[@nicolareims]

nice ride .. love that place and particularly fond of that aircraft

[@theflyingfrog]

Thanks for your comment! It’s a great place to live.

[@EtiRats]

How lovely! Always liked the 337 / O2 from Cessna, amazing that twin centreline thrust didn’t catch on more. Well done for keeping the last one (for now) going on the G register. Biscarrosse looks great. May I ask where the maintenance is done on your U.K. aircraft? We keep an even older PA24 Comanche in France, not far away, also G reg, always looking for local maintenance who are able to work on these aircraft. PS love watching the little dance the main wheels do on their way up into the gear bays.

[@SkibikeNW]

I had to mute this video. The music was really not that great. I'd rather hear the motor the whole time

[@theflyingfrog]

I’ve put less music in my videos since this one… I don’t take the criticism personally 😉

[@joedoakes8307]

Start the rear engine and WATCH it SMOKE like a 2 Cycle engine ! What's the correct oil\gas ratio ? 1 to 50 maybe like my Weed eater ?

[@NT4XT]

Cool music, song - never heard before. Original, sounds like👍

[@theflyingfrog]

Thanks!

[@ronwade5646]

Very nice!

[@theflyingfrog]

Thanks Ron!

[@wingandaprayer883]

Is this really the last Skymaster on the UK reg? Surprising and a little sad... it's a unique and well designed airplane.

[@theflyingfrog]

Yes it is, although there is another one being restored at the moment, so hopefully there’ll be 2 soon!

[@WilliamTallman]

Very, very nice!! Thank you for sharing. I always liked my 1985 Cadillac Biarritz's. May be they were named after the Biarritz you visited?

[@theflyingfrog]

Thanks! Could be… actually the town of Cadillac is only about an hours drive from where I live, down here in southwest France.

[@gregfaris6959]

Peter needs to learn more about flying his 337, before it is no longer on the British Registry in flying condition. Specifically, gear retraction in all Cessnas using this type of 310 landing gear must not be performed anywhere near the ground, because of the prodigious drag it induces. Try this on a warm day at anything above sea level, where the density altitute comes into play and it will send you into the trees faster than you can correct it. 1000' AGL is a more prudent gear retraction height in the 337.

[@theflyingfrog]

@@gregfaris6959 thanks for commenting

[@danielcarlson800]

I saw a nice '71 F model for $60K, about 19 years ago.

[@julianhogan6510]

I didnt know David Attenborough was narrating aviation clips now.

[@theflyingfrog]

Thanks Julian, that's a big compliment ! 😂

[@kvan27]

now what if you lose the rear engine instead? Same process I'm assuming?

[@theflyingfrog]

I guess so… I’ll have to ask Peter to try that next time we fly together!

[@ErikssonTord_2]

@@theflyingfrog As Mr Nobody above points out the rate of climb with a dead rear engine is close to nil!

[@roughsurface]

Always start the front engine first. Shorter battery cable and will keep you out of trouble. Book even suggests this procedure

[@jimdigriz3436]

Actually, no. Rear first. You can hear it start and run smoothly BEFORE you cover its sound with the front. Prime it properly, and the battery handles the rear just fine.

[@roughsurface]

That’s if the battery is in good shape and you kick it over right away. But why? Just start the front first and then there is no worries.

[@rinzler9775]

Twin engine, without the dreaded "dead leg dead engine" reaction that threatens to put you into a death spin on engine failure.

[@ErikssonTord_2]

The Swedish Coast Guard had a handful of 337s, but several were lost when flying in bad weather. Most likely wing spar failure over the North Sea.

[@jonathanludgater5621]

The link below takes you to another war use of the Rheims built C337

[@theflyingfrog]

Hi Jonathan, can’t see the link

[@av8tore71]

They call the Cessna 337 "suck & blow" at least here in the states or "push me, pull me" This was my 1st twin I ever owned however, I traded it plus some $$$ for my Mooney Ovation I have now

[@danielcarlson800]

Oscar Deuce!!!!!!

[@bill45colt]

that wasnt failure,,,,it was pilot playing with engines on and off

[@theflyingfrog]

True… but it’s better clickbait 😃

[@user-xz9hu4rd2v]

That was an engine shutdown, not a failure.

[@theflyingfrog]

@@user-xz9hu4rd2v yes I know, but unfortunately if you want people to watch you have to put a click bait title… Anyway, it’s a simulated engine failure… 😉

[@aesma2522]

Not an economical plane to fly in Europe with 100LL costing 2,5 euros per litre.

[@pirateatfourty]

i have a 1977 p model i love it i wont sell it for love or 3 naked strippers lol maybe 4 but not 3, i had the 300 hp engine upgrade a few years ago. some vgs i looked at a baron and a cessna 340 the 340 test flight almost killed me, the right eninge failed on the test flight the owner had no clue what to do. i said i got it.. landed and said thanks i will let you know when you get it fixed let me know., i went hmmmmmm maybe i should just buy another 337 p model, i found one 1800 miles from my home. took my old stinson voyager to go see it. had my buddy with me well he was asking 150 grand for it.new paint new leather interior. fresh annual very very low time engines. ith the 300 hp upgrade and a reverseable rear prop it cruises at 260 mph, stable. safe known ice amd a/c now the 340 is a nice plane as is the 310 a few others but im getting older and having to step down to get in them is hard.andif you lose a engine you can be in big trouble. the 337 if you lose a engine? it keep going straight. no yaw. andno wing to block your view. so buy one lol i also have a 336 i restored completely 25 years ago, all original with wheel pants. i keep up with the annuals but ihave not flown it iin over 15 years. when i say original i mean the original radios lol they work but not very good compared to todays radios. but they are wonderful safe airplanes

[@theflyingfrog]

Thanks for your comment! Really great to have your insight.

[@jimdigriz3436]

Yawn. I once had a front engine fail on approach to Naples FL. Didn’t even tell the tower, feathered it and landed. End of story

[@theflyingfrog]

@@jimdigriz3436 yup, an engine failure really is a non-event in this aircraft. That’s the point of this video.

[@donaldpedigo296]

... The Creator of "What-a-Burger" ...a large Hamburger-Chain headquartered in Texas... crashed and died in one of these planes .. Please Be Careful ...🙏😇

[@theflyingfrog]

I didn’t know that…!

[@Jerry_SWMO]

Kinda click bait title, yes?

[@theflyingfrog]

Absolutely 👍🏼

[@kevinnickel6356]

would love to here all commentary and thaught processes of the flight and any future flight you may do with him. love the 337=and am trying to learn all i can about operation and ownership of the 337. Thanks

[@theflyingfrog]

@@kevinnickel6356 thanks for your comment. I hope to do another video with Peter and his fantastic plane in the near future.

[@rogersmart1766]

This is a good 160ktas airplane isn’t it?