Spectrum SA-550

{{Short description|Twin-boom single engined aircraft}}  {{Infobox aircraft | name = Basler Turbo 37<br>Spectrum SA-550 | logo = | logo_size = | image = Spectrum SA-550.jpg | alt = | caption = | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = STOL conversion | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = United States | manufacturer = Basler Turbo Conversions<br/>Spectrum Aircraft Corporation | design_group = | designer = | builder = | issuer = | status = production completed | owners = | primary_user = | more_users = | service = | major_applications = | proposals = | prototypes = | number_built = At least two | construction_number = | civil_registration = | military_serial = | radio_code = | requirement = | aircraft_carried = | flights = | total_hours = | total_distance = | construction_date = | introduction = 1983 | retired = | first_flight = 1 February 1983 | initiated = | in_service = | last_flight = | expected = | developed_from = Cessna Skymaster | variants = | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = }}

The '''Basler Turbo 37'''/'''Spectrum SA-550''' is a twin-boom single engined aircraft converted from a Reims/Cessna FTB337G Skymaster by Basler Turbo Conversions and Spectrum Aircraft Corporation. The aircraft first flew on 1 February 1983.<ref name="FlightGlobal">{{cite web|url =http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1983/1983%20-%200430.html|title = "Flying pick-up truck" takes off|accessdate = 2009-11-26|last = Flight International|authorlink = |date=March 1983}}</ref><ref name="Skymaster">{{cite web|url = http://www.skymaster.org.uk/spectrum.asp|title = Spectrum SA-550 / Basler Turbo 34|accessdate = 2009-11-26|last = Cessna Skymaster Website|date = n.d.|url-status = dead|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20090314002500/http://www.skymaster.org.uk/spectrum.asp|archivedate = 2009-03-14}}</ref><ref name="FAAreg">{{cite web|url = http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=337BF|title = FAA REGISTRY - N-Number Inquiry Results|accessdate = 2009-11-26|last = Federal Aviation Administration|authorlink = |date=November 2009}}</ref>

==Design and development== The Skymaster rear engine was replaced with a flat-rated {{convert|550|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 and front engine was removed and the cockpit was stretched forward. The aircraft is capable of taking off in less than {{convert|450|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} fully loaded. Basler had a deal with the government of Thailand to convert their O-2 Skymaster to SA-550 and to convert civilian Skymaster in Thailand as well. These plans appear to have never happened.<ref name="FlightGlobal" /><ref name="Skymaster" />

The aircraft is currently owned by Basler Turbo Conversions of Oshkosh, Wisconsin.<ref name="FAAreg" />

==Specifications (SA-550)== {{Aircraft specs |ref=Flight International<ref name="FlightGlobal" /> |prime units?=imp  |genhide= |crew=one |capacity=ten |length m= |length ft=36 |length in=10 |length note= |span m= |span ft=38 |span in=2 |span note= |height m= |height ft=9 |height in=2 |height note= |wing area sqm= |wing area sqft= |wing area note= |aspect ratio= |airfoil= |empty weight kg= |empty weight lb=2600 |empty weight note= |gross weight kg= |gross weight lb= |gross weight note= |max takeoff weight kg= |max takeoff weight lb=4800 |max takeoff weight note= |fuel capacity=125 US gallons (474 litres) |more general=  |eng1 number=1 |eng1 name=Pratt & Whitney PT6A-27 |eng1 type= |eng1 kw= |eng1 hp= |eng1 shp=550 |eng1 note= |power original= |thrust original= |prop blade number= |prop name= |prop dia m= |prop dia ft= |prop dia in= |prop note=

|perfhide= |max speed kmh= |max speed mph=250 |max speed kts= |max speed note=at 15,000 ft (4575 m) |max speed mach= |cruise speed kmh= |cruise speed mph=250 |cruise speed kts= |cruise speed note= |stall speed kmh= |stall speed mph=66 |stall speed kts= |stall speed note=flaps down, power off |never exceed speed kmh= |never exceed speed mph= |never exceed speed kts= |never exceed speed note= |minimum control speed kmh= |minimum control speed mph= |minimum control speed kts= |minimum control speed note= |range km= |range miles=900 |range nmi= |range note=with standard fuel |endurance= |ceiling m= |ceiling ft= |ceiling note= |g limits= |roll rate= |glide ratio= |climb rate ms= |climb rate ftmin=1600 |climb rate note= |time to altitude= |sink rate ms= |sink rate ftmin= |sink rate note= |lift to drag= |wing loading kg/m2= |wing loading lb/sqft= |wing loading note= |disk loading kg/m2= |disk loading lb/sqft= |disk loading note= |fuel consumption kg/km= |fuel consumption lb/mi= |power/mass= |thrust/weight= |more performance= |avionics= }}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20121114045758/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/basler-turbo-37-returns-to-the-market-40861/ Basler Turbo 37 returns to the market] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20120913095448/http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-All-the-Worlds-Aircraft/BASLER-TURBO-34-United-States.html Janes article abstract]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Spectrum Sa-550}} Category:Basler aircraft Category:Twin-boom aircraft Category:1980s United States civil utility aircraft Category:Single-engined pusher aircraft Category:Single-engined turboprop aircraft Category:High-wing aircraft Category:Aircraft first flown in 1983 Category:Twin-tail aircraft Category:Aircraft with fixed tricycle landing gear