GSIO or GSO 480 STC

[yukonranger]

Hello, I have a 295 and think I recall that there was an STC for a 340hp supercharged 480 (Twin Commander engine) STC for the Helio but I can't find it.  Can anyone help?

Thanks

Mike
N295H

[Doug Johnson]

I think this is what you are looking for.

SA900WE,"Western Commander, Inc",Amended,05/20/1970,"16300 Daily Drive","Van Nuys","CA","91406","United States","Installation of turbosupercharged Lycoming GSO-480-F2D6 engine.","1A8,","ANM-100L Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office Tel: (562) 627-5200","Alliance Aircraft Group, LLC\H-295 (USAF U-10D); Alliance Aircraft Group, LLC\H-395 (USAF L-28A or U-10B); "

Possibly Hartzell HC-93Z20-2B/10151 propeller

I have this much on most of the Helio STC's.

Doug

[yukonranger]

Thanks Doug!  Another question:  my 500hr SMOH engine just sheared the coupling that drives the alternator.  My mechanic says this part is not in the Lycoming parts book and I have been told that it may be hard to find.  We have called around but no luck so far.  Does anyone know the part number for this coupler and if anyone is making them now?

Thanks

[jmetzler]

Assuming you have a Prestolite alternator, the PN is LW14464. Check with GT Aero LLC or Midwest Aircraft Services Inc. They show stock.

[airshiptv]

We have had a lot of experience with couplers over the past 14 years.  They are not available from Lycoming.  This spring they sent out a service bulletin about couplers stating that they had a shelf life of 10 years.  We think the last ones built are now older than that.  Last price was around $3,000 !!  Duke rebuilt couplers but no longer do so.  The answer is to use the Jasco (sp?) alt.  They are 50 amp units.  It has a built in coupler and comes with a separate voltage regulator.  Its the way to go.  In fact it is the only option you have.

[Gordon Cragg]

I took the Prestolite off my H-295 and installed the Jasco. I got the core alternator and the plate back. I don't remember there being a spring??? I can look when I get back from this trip.
Gordon Cragg
713-502-7274

[airshiptv]

I seem to remember a spring mentioned in some early versions of the coupler.  Maybe saw it in an old Lycoming SB.  We never used a spring but I"m sure there was a part number for one.

[gearedone]

Hello, I have a 295 and think I recall that there was an STC for a 340hp supercharged 480 (Twin Commander engine) STC for the Helio but I can't find it.  Can anyone help?

Thanks

Mike
N295H

Hello Mike,

Helio built a couple of the "Strato-Couriers" in 1957, one for sure that set an altitude record in October of that year with Luis Struck over Mexico @ 31,200 feet. The engine installation used more from the Twin Bonanza than the Aero Commander 680. N420B never went into production and was converted from an H-391B. That STC still exists and I'll look it up and find it for you.

Cheers
Stephen

[Doug Johnson]

Stephen,
If the Helio Factory developed an STC while N4207B had an experimental CoA it doesn't seem to be in the FAA paperwork if there is one I'd also like to at least know the STC number because I've been collecting them be nicer to see a copy because there are several that FAA no longer lists in their Data Base. Usually all 337's, STC's, and Modifications  are listed but only the up-gross for landing gear, camera port ans aux fuel is listed for c/n 010 (later structural changes were added to the landing gear and it became an STC).

The only stc I was able to find was SA900WE by "Western Commander".

Doug

Below is a partial copy of c/n 010 FAA file


N4207B, Helio H-392 Strato Courier, Serial Number 010

08Feb57  Converted from an H-391B

14Feb57 modified, with accommodation for a Wild RC-5 camera, installation of a reserve fuel tank system and landing gear changed to the heavy duty 3,000lb standard gear

15Feb57 Statement of Conformity

19Feb57 Certificate of Airworthiness (Experimental - R&D)

Engine :
Lycoming GSO-480-A1A6, with Hartzell HC-93Z20-2B/10151 propeller

20Feb57 Certificate of Airworthiness (Restricted - Aerial Surveying)

14May57 Registration cancelled, exported to Mexico

[gearedone]

I didn't say that the factory developed the STC. The factory built up the H-392 from the 391B and including the installation of the GSO-480-A1A5 which was borrowed from the "supercharged" version of the T-Bone and Queen Air 65. JAARS was behind this for airplanes being flown in high altitude exporting countries.

Western Commander no longer exists, but the STC does!!

You have to chase down the paperwork

[Doug Johnson]

Misunderstood your statement on the STC I thought there was another one besides the one developed by "Western commander" that I spoke about at the top this post.

Do you know if Jaars acquired the H-392 after Louis about all I have is he exported it to Peru in '63, (OB-LKG-714 ntu) Peru, OB-M-714 '64, OB-T-714 '66, dbr crash 9/66 Chamaya Jaen, Cajamarca, Bolivia dereg 11/67

I don't know who owned it after Louis but Jaars had lots of Helio's in Peru.

Doug

[gearedone]

It was my understanding that airplane was developed for high-altitude, oblique photographic missions. To what extent that played with utilization from JAARS standpoint is unknown.

I think that airplane is long gone..

[Doug Johnson]

destroyed crash 9/66 Chamaya Jaen, Cajamarca, Bolivia dereg 11/67

[gearedone]

Shame that happened, very historic airplane..

[Doug Johnson]

Stephen,

Good to see your back. What have you been up to? You must have been busy because you weren't posting much.

Doug