Wheeler - you bin smokin that weed again?
"I thought the 35B would do a bit better than that - could come close in the 182RG"
Been a while since I have flown a 182RG, but my recollection is I flightplanned 150kts. My FP program says 145 kt TAS at 50 l/hr.
"BTW did you mean 160kts TAS during the 12 min climb"
Not without a PT6 up front! I climb at 110 kts.
"isn't the S35 the best and fastest FTDK ever made?"
Certainly one of the fastest! The best (?) - dunno. The V35B carries more but has greater CofG issues.
"Getting back to the single vac pump in IMC issue, when it packs up in the poo I'd rather be in the Cessna - keeping an FTDK straight and level without George in tip top condition is challenging to a mere Cessna driver like me at the best of times!"
Yes, the aeroplane has neutral lateral stability. It will easily peel off into a spiral dive if your scan is not good. While I seem to be able to fly it around quite happily on partial panel during renewals, I would not launch into serious IFR without a functional AP.
Dr 