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NeilsenRM(at)comcast.net
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 Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 10:54 am Post subject: Powerfin Props |
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I was writing an article about my VW powered MKIIIC and wanted to give the best information possible on prop sizing so I called Stewart Gort Jr. at Powerfin. We discussed at length the performance figures of my three bladed 72 inch F model Powerfin prop on my VW powered MKIIIC. Since my climb rate is good no matter what pitch I had, I set the prop pitch more for cruise. But then the climb RPMs were 300-400 below optimum and maybe I could do better. Stewart figures my that my prop is too long. He recommended that the best prop for my engine/airframe would be a 70 inch three blade F model. I was and still am concerned about shortening the prop. Stewart's suggestion was that they would cut the prop to 71 inches for free and if needed they would cut again to 70 inches for free if it needed it. His only stipulation would be that I send them the performance figures for their data base. If cutting the prop reduced performance they would replace the prop with a longer one. Having nothing to loose I sent it in to be cut. Last week I got the prop back. To my surprise they had replaced all three blades and the hub with brand new parts. There was no charge for the prop or shipping. Now this was a prop that I had for almost six years of use with small dings on two blades (one blade was replaced two years ago because it won a battle with a 9/16 bolt).
I'm posting this only as a note of superior product support. It is extremely rare that anyone really stands behind their product and Powerefin does. I'm not trying to convert anyone from their prop because that is like trying to get someone to change religions.
Now I can't wait to get back to Michigan to try my new prop on my airplane. That will have to wait till May.
Rick Neilsen
Redrive VW powered MKIIIC
[quote][b]
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indyaviator(at)gmail.com
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| Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 2:33 pm Post subject: Powerfin Props |
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Rick,
I purchased a Powerfin prop several years ago. It took longer than promised
to arrive, and when it finally came, it had a flaw that I considered unsafe
to fly. I was upset and left a message at the factory for someone to call
me. My expectations for a call back were not high. This was late Friday
afternoon, a week before Oshkosh.
Well, not only did I get a call back from the factory, but it was from
Stuart Gort Sr., the company president. Unfortunately I did not hear the
phone ring. Stuart's message was very apologetic and included his HOME
phone number. How often have you been given the home phone number of any
company president? He made me a replacement prop quickly and shipped it
overnight UPS. I had it in 2 or 3 days as I remember.
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JetPilot
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 1246
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| Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 3:52 pm Post subject: Re: Powerfin Props |
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[quote="NeilsenRM(at)comcast.net"]
I'm posting this only as a note of superior product support. It is extremely rare that anyone really stands behind their product and Powerefin does. I'm not trying to convert anyone from their prop because that is like trying to get someone to change religions.
Rick Neilsen
Redrive VW powered MKIIIC
Nice report Rick, that pretty much agrees with my experience with the people at PowerFin, they are top notch. As far as brands of props go,
only an idiot would be so blindly attached to a certain brand of prop that they cannot compare or even change if something better were to come along. That goes for a lot of products, not just props.
That being said, I fly a trike that had a wooden prop, and we changed it to a powerfin. The powerfin prop is FAR superiorior than the expensive french wood prop that was on the 447 originally. The powerfin is # 1 Adjustable, meaning I can set it to work exactly like I need it to on the trike. The powerfin also gives much better performance, better climbs, and is much quieter and smoother. In a nutshell, the powerfin is better in every way than the expensive top of the line french wood prop ever was. I love the powerfin and would highly recommend it.
On my Kolb MK-III Xtra, I have a warp drive prop. I have a different need on this plane, which is for it to keep flying and stay together if a muffler, oil cap, or any one of 100 other things that can come off the engine go through it. The Warp Drive prop is rock solid, with a very strong hub, and I trust it to withstand the many hundreds of hours of the very strong power pulses of the Rotax 912-S.
In the end, it comes down to which prop offers the best performance for your needs on a certain application. And yes, some props are clearly better than others. Its not a matter of what brand you may " Like ", an intelligent person will consider all the facts and requirements and make a choice based on the facts, not on what they may " like " or are accustomed to.
Mike
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"NO FEAR" - If you have no fear you did not go as fast as you could have !!!
Kolb MK-III Xtra, 912-S |
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George Alexander
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 245
Location: SW Florida
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| Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 4:43 pm Post subject: Re: Powerfin Props |
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Mike:
Aren't there things that could come off your trike? Is it that there are more things to come off the 912 (assuming you don't have a 912 on your trike)? If you are worried about things coming off and destroying the prop AND you believe the Warp is bullet proof, why wouldn't you fly the Warp on your trike?
Just curious.
DO NOT ARCHIVE
| JetPilot wrote: |
<<<<SNIP>>>>
I have a different need on this plane, which is for it to keep flying and stay together if a muffler, oil cap, or any one of 100 other things that can come off the engine go through it.
<<<<SNIP>>>>
Mike |
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George Alexander
FS II R503
E-LSA N709FS
http://www.oh2fly.net |
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JetPilot
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 1246
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| Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 4:51 pm Post subject: Re: Powerfin Props |
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The 447 is much simpler than my 912, with a lot less, maybe 1/4 the amount of parts that could potentially come off and go into the prop, so its not as likely to happen on the trike.
And last but not least, the Warp drive is to heavy for the B-Box on the 447.
Mike
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_________________
"NO FEAR" - If you have no fear you did not go as fast as you could have !!!
Kolb MK-III Xtra, 912-S |
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John Hauck
Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 4639
Location: Titus, Alabama (hauck's holler)
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| Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 5:34 pm Post subject: Powerfin Props |
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> The 447 is much simpler than my 912, with a lot less, maybe 1/4 the
amount of parts that could potentially come off and go into the prop, so its
not as likely to happen on the trike.
> Mike
Mike:
Might be to your advantage to take a close look at your 447. I know it has
been many, many years since I have owned one, but I still fly the factory
two strokes on occassion. Last time I looked, there was enough stuff on a
447 to take down a 747.
john h
mkIII
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John Hauck
MKIII/912ULS
hauck's holler
Titus, Alabama |
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jb92563
Joined: 23 Mar 2007
Posts: 314
Location: Southern California
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