Bellanca Viking / Super Viking
The Bellanca is a single-engine, piston aircraft with retractable gear. The Bellanca is a low-wing airplane produced by Bellanca Aircraft (now Alexandria Aircraft) between the years 1967 and 2002. It seats up to 3 passengers and 1 pilot.
Specifications 17-30 Viking 300
Exterior Dimensions
Wing span: 34 ft 2 in
Length: 23 ft 7 in
Height: 7 ft 5 in
Weights
Max TO weight 3,200 LBS
Empty Weight: 1,900 LBS
Maximum Load:
Fuel capacity: 58 GAL
Engine
Manufacturer: Continental Motor
Model: IO-520-D/K
Horsepower: 300 HP
Overhaul (HT): 1700 hr TBO
Years before overhaul: 12
Performance specifications on Model 17-30 Viking 300
| Horsepower: 300.00 | Gross Weight: 3,200 |
| Top Speed: 167 | Empty Weight: 1,900 |
| Cruise Speed: 163 | Fuel Capacity: 58 |
| Stall Speed (dirty): 54 | Range: 550 |
| Rate of Climb: 1,840 | Rate of Climb (One Engine): |
| Service Ceiling: 21,000 | Ceiling (One Engine): |
| Takeoff | Landing |
| Ground Roll: 450 | Ground Roll 575 |
| Takeoff Roll Over 50 ft: 890 | Landing Roll Over 50 ft: 1,050 |
VIEW SPECIFICATIONS ON OTHER MODEL BELLANCAS
History
The Viking is a derivative of the Bellanca Cruisair, a retractable gear taildragger with two extra vertical fins on the tips of the horizontal stabilizer. The aircraft fuselage is constructed from tubular steel overlaid with fabric while the wings are fashioned from spruce with a plywood skin.
The 14-13 Cruisair series was developed into the larger, more powerful 14-19 Cruisemaster in the early 1950s. After the original Bellanca company went out of business, Downer Aircraft took over the type certificate and built the 14-19-2 Cruisemaster by mating the airframe with a Continental O-470 of 230 hp.
(Read the whole story about J.K. Downer at the “Bellance Viking 17-30 Story“.
In 1958, Downer redesigned the airplane with a nosewheel and fuel injected IO-470 of 260 hp, and redesignated it the 260. The 14-19-3 260 retained the wire-braced triple tail into the 1962 model year. After that year the triple tail design was modified to a single tail with the same aggregate surface area, and manufactured as the Model 260A.
The later Vikings retain the oversized vertical fin that contributes to the distinctive flying characteristics of the aircraft. The Viking model was born out of discussions at Downer for a bigger version of the “Model 260” with at least 300 horsepower. The company was based in Minnesota and employed skilled craftsman who manufactured the wing from spruce and the new 300 hp model was named the “Viking” in respect to the many Scandinavians of the area.
Bellanca Viking
The first Model 17 Viking appeared in 1966 called the “17-30” and was equipped with a Continental IO-520-D. The first production aircraft were delivered as 1967 year models.
The model evolved gradually, but other than the engine, there were few major changes. The Continental-powered Viking was called the 17-30, while the 17-31, introduced in 1969, was powered by a 290-HP (later 300-HP) Lycoming IO-540, either normally aspirated or turbocharged. Either engine was available for much of the early production run; the 17-31 was discontinued after 1979 and in 1997, the Continental IO-550 was made available as an option. Some earlier airplanes have been retrofitted.
Super Viking
Over the years there were a number of refinements to the aircraft. The original hydraulic gear and flap actuation system was redesigned in 1968 introducing electric flaps.
In 1969 the FAA issued Type Certificate A18CE and the aircraft built under that design were designated the “A” series “Super Vikings” and were delivered as 1970 year models. Aside from refinements already made to late Viking 300 models, the new 300A Vikings (17-30A, 17-31A and 17-31ATC) had a gross weight increase to 3,325 lbs with an upgraded Continental IO-520-K 300 hp engines.
Production continued at a modest rate—in the peak production year, 1973, just under 200 were built—significant volume by modern standards, but a trickle for that era.
In 1974, the original complex fuel system with five tanks and two fuel selectors allowing eight possible combinations of selector settings was simplified to a left, right and auxiliary system. After that mod, the fuel mismanagement accident rate for Vikings dropped dramatically.
After several years of financial losses, Viking sales became profitable again in 1978. In 1979, Continental-powered Vikings sported a fully enclosed nosewheel thanks to a redesign of the engine mount. This necessitated the use of cowl flaps for the first time on the Viking but resulted in a 12 mph increase. In 1979 production of the Lycoming-powered 17-31A ceased.
Bankruptcy
Bellanca Aircraft Corp. went bankrupt in 1980, the year things turned sour for the entire industry. In 1984, the company got back on its feet and started building Vikings again on a limited, custom-order basis. Only nine were built in 1984 and 1985 and none in 1986. In 1996, the Continental IO-550 was made available as an option. About 38 were produced between 1984 and 2005.
In 2001, Bellanca went bankrupt again. In 2002, a group of six Bellanca enthusiasts bought the company from the state of Minnesota and established Alexandria Aircraft Co. LLC. Their immediate goals were to provide technical support and parts to owners and A&Ps in the field. They have sold one new aircraft, manufactured in 2005.
By early 2010, however, market conditions no longer supported this enterprise and the assets of the factory were put up for auction.
There are about 1360 or so Vikings in the fleet, most of which are Continental-powered. The owners of AALLC also reduced parts prices substantially and rewrote the type certificate for Continental-powered Vikings, which helped prospective buyers looking to replace a run-out 520 with a 550.
Variants
Bellanca Viking 300 Model 17-30 (1967-1970) Serial Numbers 30000 through 30262
The Viking model was born out of discussions at Downer for a bigger version of the “Model 260” with at least 300 horsepower. The company was based in Minnesota and employed skilled craftsman who manufactured the wing from spruce and the new 300 hp model was named the “Viking” in respect to the many Scandinavians of the area.
The first Model 17 Viking was designed in 1966 and delivered as a 1967 year model called the “17-30.” It was powered by a 300 hp Continental IO-520-D.
Over the years there were a number of refinements to the aircraft. The original hydraulic gear and flap actuation system was redesigned in 1968 introducing electric flaps.
Bellanca Viking 300 Model 17-31 (1969) Serial Numbers 3201 through 3214
In 1969 a Viking powered by a 290 hp (later 300 hp) Lycoming IO-540 (2000 TBO) was introduced, either normally aspirated (17-31) or turbocharged (17-31TC).
Bellance Viking 300 Model 17-31TC (1969) Serial Numbers 31001-31003
Four-seat light cabin aircraft, powered by a (300-hp) Lycoming IO-540 (2000 TBO) piston engine, the aircraft is fitted with turbocharger.
Bellanca Super Viking 300A Model 17-30A (1970-2002) Serial Numbers 30263 through 31033 & up
In 1969 the FAA issued Type Certificate A18CE and the aircraft built under that design were designated the “A” series “Super Vikings”. Aside from refinements already made to late Viking 300 models, the new 300A Vikings (17-30A, 17-31A and 17-31ATC) had a gross weight increase to 3,325 lbs. The 17-30A has a Continental IO-520-K 300 hp engine (1700TBO).
IO-550 power option starts with 1997 model.
Bellanca Super Viking 300A Model 17-31A (1970-1977) Serial Numbers 32-15 through 32-171
Four-seat light cabin aircraft, powered by a (300-hp) Lycoming IO-540-K1E5 (2000 TBO) piston engine.
Bellanca Turbo Super Viking Model 17-31ATC (1970-1979 ) Serial Numbers 31004 through 31155
Four-seat light cabin aircraft, powered by a 224-kW (300-hp) Lycoming IO-540-K1E5 piston engine, the aircraft is fitted with two Rajay turbochargers.
