[alteredwalter]

The Beech Skipper is a far superior airplane than the Tomahawk. The only thing the Piper PA-28 has going for it is the STC 9.7:1 compression piston upgrade. There are no STC's of this type for the Skipper because only 312 were ever made and the Piper STC requires a larger oil cooler. The larger oil cooler will not fit in the cowling of the skipper.

As for speed, the Tomahawk is about 10kts faster due to the higher aspect ratio of the wing --- longer and thinner. However, it is less predictable in the spin.

I bought my Skipper for $19,000 in February of 2007. With the IFR upgrade, paint, glass, upholstery --much of what I did myself, I can say I'm in to it for just over $50,000.

I run about 95kts at 2,500 rpm and have taken it to 11,000 msl. For a guy that is 6'6" tall at 235lbs, it does the job for me OK. Although, like all light utility aircraft, the useful load can be a problem, but the Skipper can handle overloading pretty good. I can go 70lbs over with not much problem.

The difference in speed between 100kts and 125kts isn't much worth throwing money at. You don't notice the benefit of speed until you hit around 150kts.

I fly 250 mile trips at the 95kts and just add about 1/2 hour to my time than if I were to take an Archer at 120kts. I get under 6gph and sometimes 5.2gph. With the Archer, I can burn about 9gph.

The difference in horsepower on the Lycoming L-2C from the rated 115 at 2,700 rpm to the STC rated at 125hp at 2,800rpm will not give you anymore speed --only climb performance and take-off roll. Actually, the L-2C is rated at 118 hp according to the Lycoming manual, so you get a 7hp increase.

Since there is no STC, I would have to slip the 9.7:1 pistons in after my MOH late at night without telling my IA. Then keep an eye on the oil temperature and cyclinder head temperature because of not going to the larger oil cooler.

The O-320 engine option will add too much weight to the front. Even if you put a light weight starter on it and relocate the battery aft, you are going to spend more money than going straight to a Piper Cherokee 160.

I really love my Skipper and would never sell it. The fellow who sold me it has the Archer 180. We are insured for each others airplane and for the longer haul, I can take his airplane with kids and luggage. We both fly the Skipper for its low cost and fun for flights that only take and hour or two to complete.

No matter how fast or slow your airplane is, you will always want an extra 10-15kts. Sometimes that can be very costly and is definately not worth pursuing unless you can get the speed past 150kts.