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Prop choice fp or vp?

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fireflier

Joined: 24 Jun 2012
Posts: 58

Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2013 3:01 am Post subject: Prop choice fp or vp?

I am almost at the point where I need to choose what prop to use on my aircraft.  Should I go for Fixed pitch or for a variable pitch prop? I would be interested to hear from others who have the different types of props and to compare performance figures etc.



This will be on a tri gear aircraft with 912uls  engine. I'm Looking at the woodcomp props and also the airmaster props, what are people's thoughts on these?



Is the performance figures worth the extra expense  for the variable pitch prop?



I'm currently swaying towards the woodcomp sr3000/3w prop, due to easy of returning prop for repair and back up of UK service agent if required etc.  



I shall look forward to hearing your thoughts and comparisons.



Many thanks

Donald

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_________________
Fireflier

davidjoyce(at)doctors.org
Guest

Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2013 3:48 am Post subject: Prop choice fp or vp?

A vp or better a CS prop would always be close to the top 

of my wish list if possibly affordable. Otherwise you face 

compromises on the size of field you can get out of and 

your cruise speed, top speed an range. The Woodcomp 

Sr3000W is my choice and it has served me very well. 

Regards, David Joyce, G- XSDJ



On Mon,  1 Apr 2013 04:02:02 -0700

  "fireflier" <fireflier(at)btinternet.com> wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   

<fireflier(at)btinternet.com>

 

 I am almost at the point where I need to choose what 

prop to use on my aircraft.  Should I go for Fixed pitch 

or for a variable pitch prop? I would be interested to 

hear from others who have the different types of props 

and to compare performance figures etc.

 

 This will be on a tri gear aircraft with 912uls  engine. 

I'm Looking at the woodcomp props and also the airmaster 

props, what are people's thoughts on these?

 

 Is the performance figures worth the extra expense  for 

the variable pitch prop?

 

 I'm currently swaying towards the woodcomp sr3000/3w 

prop, due to easy of returning prop for repair and back 

up of UK service agent if required etc.  

 

 I shall look forward to hearing your thoughts and 

comparisons.

 

 Many thanks

 Donald

 

 --------

Fireflier

 

 

 

 

 Read this topic online here:

 

 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=397514#397514

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Duncan McFadyean

Joined: 18 Jan 2011
Posts: 222

Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2013 5:12 am Post subject: Prop choice fp or vp?

That debate is rather like the mono vs 'other' types of undercarriage

debate; one best not entered as the battle lines are too fixed!



A vp obviously has the edge in performance on a fp. But at the cost of

capital investment, routine maintenance/stripdown, non-routine

maintenance(!) and yet another logbook to fill in.



The study on fp vs vp in the LAA mag a few years ago had one very poignant

conclusion: on an overpowered slippery aircraft (e.g.Europa with 100hp)

there is very little if any real advantage.



I have a fp and can climb fully loaded (1300 lbs) at >900fpm and cruise at

very nearly Vne (close to 150 knts (at) 5500rpm) if the 'plane is clean,

especially the propeller.

Routine shortfield performance (homebase is 375m grass strip) is OK, but

difficult fully loaded when the ground is wet and soft leaving little

contingency for other than full performance. But Sportcruisers and Rans S6's

have difficulty here! 



Duncan McF.



--

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clivesutton

Joined: 23 Jan 2013
Posts: 187
Location: KENILWORTH

Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2013 9:13 am Post subject: Re: Prop choice fp or vp?

Hello Duncan,



Quite happy with my Fixed pitch Warpdrive with a 912S and a trigear fitted with full speed kit.  



Reasons:-



1) Cost of circa £700 vs £3000 . . .

2) Can change individual blades is one gets damaged

3) Less to worry about/fewer logbooks and less maintenance

4) 19.5 degrees gets me in and out of short strips like Deanlands

5) Cruise is a reasonable 110kts at 4800 RPM

6) That setting produces around 14.5-15l/hr economy

7) Climb rate around 700FPM



I hope that helps!



Clive Sutton

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JonathanMilbank

Joined: 14 Apr 2012
Posts: 391
Location: Aberdeen area

Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2013 3:10 pm Post subject: Re: Prop choice fp or vp?

My Classic Europa was built when there was no 100hp Rotax available and so I installed the 912UL 80hp which is still the hp of my replacement engine. It was also built when there was no tricycle u/c option and I was pleased to cruise at 120kts using 15.5 l/hr.



However the take-off run and rate of climb left something to be desired while I was running a Warp Drive ground adjustable propeller. When Europa told we early builders that the Airmaster c/s v.p. was by far the best of several they had tried, I jumped at the opportunity to be one of the first 10 purchasers who got a 10% discount.



I was really impressed with the much better acceleration during take-off and the gain of 200ft/min in climb rate. The cruising speed and fuel consumption remained unchanged, but what a pleasure it is to cruise at the same speed with a lower engine rpm and appreciate the quieter, more serene cruise with lower vibrations.



I guess however that if you're using a 100hp engine, then a fixed pitch prop should be adequate.



Jonathan

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