AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2016 - 36

PILOT BRIEFING
BUDGET BUY

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.

Low-cost speed

INSURANCE COSTS

Bellanca Super Viking
B Y A LTO N K . M A R S H

A TON OF SPEED in an inexpensive airplane, the retractable-gear Bellanca Super Viking benefited from decades of aircraft construction knowledge-steel-tube frames, fabric covering, and
spruce wings with plywood skin. For $50,000 to $80,000, more if it is a recent model (manufacturing stopped in 2003), you can have a 165-knot-true-airspeed airplane. While the aircraft is
out of production, six fans of the Viking bought the company and its type certificates and continue to produce and sell more than $500,000 worth of parts each year. Models with "TC" in
the designation are turbocharged. Minnesota-based Bellanca Aircraft/AviaBellanca made 1,356
Vikings and named them after the Scandinavian people of the area-Vikings, as in Minnesota
Vikings. The aircraft is a delight to fly.
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
WHOM TO CONTACT
rods, no springs involved; steering on the ground, therefore, is very
Bellanca-Champion Club, P.O.
sensitive. That can lead to a pilot-induced oscillation and if that
Box 100, Coxsackie, New York
happens, the result can be (will be) an excursion off the runway.
12051-0100, 518-731-6800,
www.bellanca-championclub.
Ryan has avoided that by adding power and getting back into the
com; Alexandria Aircraft LLC,
air for a go-around. "Most guys keep a hand on the throttle until
2504 Aga Drive, Alexandria,
they unbuckle the seatbelt," he joked.
Minnesota 56308, 320-7634088, www.bellanca-aircraft.
.
EMAIL alton.marsh@aopa.org

36 | AOPA PILOT July 2016

com. Or www.vikingpilots.com.

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?

http://www.bellanca-championclub.com http://www.bellanca-championclub.com http://www.bellanca-aircraft.com http://www.bellanca-aircraft.com http://www.vikingpilots.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - July 2016