My mother worked in the upholstery department at the BELLANCA aircraft factory at Alexandria Minnesota sometime in the 1960s then again in the 1970s & 1980s. She did all the seats and all the interior in crushed velvet so she knows this airplane very well. I've seen how the wings were put together.
It's good to see this video presentation again. My first introduction to high performance/ complex planes was the Bellanca Viking. I was getting ready for my first solo and my instructor's friend invited us to fly it to a nearby airport. My instructor let me fly it for a landing at dusk. A wonderful flying and powerful aircraft!
My brother, Retired AA MD-80 pilot, Jon Jefferies, now owns this very airplane. It is his third Bellanca. Retirement can be fun! This plane shows up at many fly'ns, especially in and around the Midwest, for Bellanca get togethers. He always flies it to Alexandria from his Chicago area base for it's yearly inspections. I have had my hands on the stick for a couple of few mins myself, under my brothers training, to get me familar with the feel and the controls. I was given quick instructions of what to do if my healthy brother took a turn for the worse. You're always hearing of people who are landing airplanes that have never flown before. Guess I'll have to pick-up a flight sim for my computer to get some more "time!".... Good to know these things. He loves that plane and keeps it purring and adding a couple of new things every now and then.
I spent a lot of time in the early 90s looking for my first plane. After flying the Viking, there was nothing else that I wanted to buy. The roll is so light and wonderful, you can't imagine until you fly one. I had a 1980 300, N28130 with all of the mods of the 1993 depicted here. There simply is no other high performance single that comes close to the balance and flight characteristics of a Super Viking.
I owned two Bellanca Vikings over a 15 year period. Finances forced me to sell my last Viking, N28128. I miss it every day. Often referred to as the general aviation fighter aircraft its handling characteristics are quite special. I took them both to the factory for annuals where I was welcomed like family. Referred at Bellanca as "this amazing machine", it's easy to understand why Bellanca drivers love them. If the opportunity presented itself, I'd buy another one in a heartbeat.
The Viking is the best handling 4 seat single ever made. I was a Bellanca salesman in the 70's and owned a 77' Turbo Viking for a period of time. One important correction, the proper pronunciation is Be-lawn-ka. I actually went to high school with Giuseppe's granddaughter and can confirm the correct way to pronounce the family name is with a "lawn", not a "lank".
Its a bit old and a bit boxy and a bit slow by modern standards but with 200 hours in one from age 14 to 18 I cant think of too many planes I would rather be in. Its got fantastic flight characteristics and a charm that is hard to find now. I switched to helicopters and 6000 hours later I still miss the Viking and the memories.
I believe BELLANCA aircraft used to make the crop duster back in the day and of course the Super Viking & the T250. Back in the day one aircraft came off the assembly line every 24 hours at the BELLANCA aircraft factory at Alexandria Minnesota. In the 1980s my mother was the only one left in the upholstery department at the Alexandria factory infect she was the upholstery department before she retired. I've been inside the factory when she used to work there out at Chandler Field Airport.
The actual credit for this video should go to the rightful party, which is Aviation Media, Inc. This video is from disk 17 of their "Wonderful World of Flying" series. Pinkney Aircraft has this video on their website, but it has nothing to do with them; it's about Bellanca and the Super Viking.
Piper Comanche 250 or 260. I wanted a Viking but ended up with a 250. It’s about 3” wider than the BL-17 with a 1200lb useful load. Tips tanks give me an easy 1000NM range at 157-160kts and 12.5gph above 9k feet. It doesn’t handle like a Viking but it’s no slouch.
@@gmonnig I bought my Super Viking late last year. We cruised at 165kts. Currently I haven't pushed her to full range but it's 1100nm range on 75 gallons. Useful load is just 1150lb. I don't really see myself reaching this load for the uses I have for her. But anyway, the purchase didn't break the bank and the hangar is now the ultimate mancave for me.
![Almost Totally Forgotten | Bellanca Aircruiser & 77-140 Bomber [Aircraft Overview #48]](/img/n.gif)
My mother worked in the upholstery department at the BELLANCA aircraft
factory at Alexandria Minnesota sometime in the 1960s then again in the
1970s & 1980s. She did all the seats and all the interior in crushed
velvet so she knows this airplane very well. I've seen how the wings
were put together.
It's good to see this video presentation again. My first introduction to high performance/ complex planes was the Bellanca Viking. I was getting ready for my first solo and my instructor's friend invited us to fly it to a nearby airport. My instructor let me fly it for a landing at dusk. A wonderful flying and powerful aircraft!
My brother, Retired AA MD-80 pilot, Jon Jefferies, now owns this very airplane. It is his third Bellanca. Retirement can be fun! This plane shows up at many fly'ns, especially in and around the Midwest, for Bellanca get togethers. He always flies it to Alexandria from his Chicago area base for it's yearly inspections. I have had my hands on the stick for a couple of few mins myself, under my brothers training, to get me familar with the feel and the controls. I was given quick instructions of what to do if my healthy brother took a turn for the worse. You're always hearing of people who are landing airplanes that have never flown before. Guess I'll have to pick-up a flight sim for my computer to get some more "time!".... Good to know these things. He loves that plane and keeps it purring and adding a couple of new things every now and then.
I did the interior on that plane and a lot of others.
Where is the plane now?
I grew up flying in a Bellanca 260. Nothing flies like a Bellanca. Great video!
I spent a lot of time in the early 90s looking for my first plane. After flying the Viking, there was nothing else that I wanted to buy. The roll is so light and wonderful, you can't imagine until you fly one. I had a 1980 300, N28130 with all of the mods of the 1993 depicted here. There simply is no other high performance single that comes close to the balance and flight characteristics of a Super Viking.
Beautiful plane, amazing shots.
I owned two Bellanca Vikings over a 15 year period. Finances forced me to sell my last Viking, N28128. I miss it every day. Often referred to as the general aviation fighter aircraft its handling characteristics are quite special. I took them both to the factory for annuals where I was welcomed like family. Referred at Bellanca as "this amazing machine", it's easy to understand why Bellanca drivers love them. If the opportunity presented itself, I'd buy another one in a heartbeat.
Richard Elliott If you don't mind, what was the monthly and yearly cost of your SV?
Richard Elliott and the
Do you cropdust in ND
@@zeroplague there’s an article online somewhere that states the cost of ownership is somewhere around $130 per flight hour.
Bellanca, the very best personal aircraft you can own or fly. It makes a Cirrus seem like an old woman. Both airplanes are made in Minnesota.
11lbs bs 14 in the cirrus. Pretty impressive
My uncle owned one. Dream to fly. As said; very forgiving but truly high performance. If I could afford one, I'd buy it in a heartbeat!
A wonderful job of showcasing a memorable, still in production airplane.
Beautiful plane, and great performance for a plane made out of wood and fabric.
Thanks for the video, great airplane. Always wanted to own one.
The Viking is the best handling 4 seat single ever made. I was a Bellanca salesman in the 70's and owned a 77' Turbo Viking for a period of time. One important correction, the proper pronunciation is Be-lawn-ka. I actually went to high school with Giuseppe's granddaughter and can confirm the correct way to pronounce the family name is with a "lawn", not a "lank".
*_"...three people plus toothbrushes..."_*
🤭🤭🤭
{Great video...👍}
Its a bit old and a bit boxy and a bit slow by modern standards but with 200 hours in one from age 14 to 18 I cant think of too many planes I would rather be in. Its got fantastic flight characteristics and a charm that is hard to find now. I switched to helicopters and 6000 hours later I still miss the Viking and the memories.
Brilliant video.
I co-owned two SUPER VIKINGS with my brother back in the 70's. Nothing flies like a Viking.
Great video
Great informative video.
Bellanca wings have removed annoying telephone poles from the ends of runways with little damage.(to the wing, that is)
I remember some Flying Magazine (I think) ads in the 60's with all the people from the factory sitting on the wings..
@@dave991122 And the Kilgore Rangerettes
I believe BELLANCA aircraft used to make the crop duster back in the day
and of course the Super Viking & the T250. Back in the day one aircraft
came off the assembly line every 24 hours at the BELLANCA aircraft factory
at Alexandria Minnesota. In the 1980s my mother was the only one left in
the upholstery department at the Alexandria factory infect she was the
upholstery department before she retired. I've been inside the factory
when she used to work there out at Chandler Field Airport.
Such a great bird!
very nice
IT IS THE BEST MANUIVABLE LIGHT WIEGHT PLANE EVER BUILT!
A 41 inch wide cabin is too narrow for me, but this Bellanca looks fast and sporty and beautiful. Just watch out for termites in the wings!
6:22 he really got into it.
LOL. “ROTATE!!!!” Tries to pull the yolk off
The actual credit for this video should go to the rightful party, which is Aviation Media, Inc. This video is from disk 17 of their "Wonderful World of Flying" series. Pinkney Aircraft has this video on their website, but it has nothing to do with them; it's about Bellanca and the Super Viking.
I can't imagine another 160 knot plane obtainable today for less than $50k. I could go for a bonanza but that'll cost me 150k at least.
Piper Comanche 250 or 260. I wanted a Viking but ended up with a 250. It’s about 3” wider than the BL-17 with a 1200lb useful load. Tips tanks give me an easy 1000NM range at 157-160kts and 12.5gph above 9k feet. It doesn’t handle like a Viking but it’s no slouch.
@@gmonnig I bought my Super Viking late last year. We cruised at 165kts. Currently I haven't pushed her to full range but it's 1100nm range on 75 gallons. Useful load is just 1150lb. I don't really see myself reaching this load for the uses I have for her. But anyway, the purchase didn't break the bank and the hangar is now the ultimate mancave for me.
An emergency takoff?
Short field t/o.
Running from the wife!
Name 1 airplane built by robots…
পিেগূককপরচু
Interesting planes. It's a shame they are so damn ugly.
They aren't
Bellancas are one of the most beautiful aircraft ever made without question.