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Thinking about buying a Firefly?

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Firefly2013

Joined: 24 Nov 2013
Posts: 3

Posted: Sun Nov 24, 2013 11:51 am Post subject: Thinking about buying a Firefly?

I was wondering if a firefly with a 447 engine plus parachute and 5 gallons of fuel will fly a pilot that is around 225lbs. I would be taking off at a elevation of around 80ft, airport in New Jersey.



Also which prop would be best for me, a 2 blade wood prop or a 3 blade powerfin?

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rvsimons

Joined: 18 Jan 2013
Posts: 22

Posted: Sun Nov 24, 2013 1:26 pm Post subject: Thinking about buying a Firefly?

The firefly will haul up aloft. You might find the plane a bit of a little tight fit for a guy your size but height seems a bigger issue than weight. I am 210 5'10 and was comfortable in the firefly I sat in.  

Personally I perfer a three blade over a two blade anyday. They say a two blade will give you better climb performance. I had a three blade GSC prop on a Phantom and switched to a two blade to achieve better climb performance. I was sorely disappointed. Although it did climb better vibration was more apparent and the climb performance was not worth what i gave up in smoother operation.  I went back to the three blade. I would recommend a three blade Warp Drive over the Powerfin if you can find one. Its the best prop I've ever ran. I have a Powerfin on a Phantom now and there is blade movement inside the hub with everything tourqued down to specs. I'm going to replace it with a Warp Drive once I run this engine out.  On Nov 24, 2013 11:55 AM, "Firefly2013" <jschepis(at)comcast.net (jschepis(at)comcast.net)> wrote:[quote] --> RotaxEngines-List message posted by: "Firefly2013" <jschepis(at)comcast.net (jschepis(at)comcast.net)>

 

 I was wondering if a firefly with a 447 engine plus parachute and 5 gallons of fuel will fly a pilot that is around 225lbs. I would be taking off at a elevation of around 80ft, airport in New Jersey.

 

 Also which prop would be best for me, a 2 blade wood prop or a 3 blade powerfin?

 

 

 

 

 Read this topic online here:

 

 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=413940#413940

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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_________________
Vance Simons
Post Falls, Idaho
Zenith 701

BARRY CHECK 6

Joined: 15 Mar 2011
Posts: 738

Posted: Sun Nov 24, 2013 5:10 pm Post subject: Thinking about buying a Firefly?

Vance:



If you consider what you, are expected from a 3 blade Vs 2 blade...  Then

YES - You will be disappointed.

The advantage of a 3 blade are:

Lower Tip Speed at the same RPM

Less noise

Better Vertical Speed (VSI)

More Ground clearance

Easier to do static prop balance.

Easier to do dynamic prop balancing



The advantages of a 2 blade are:

Higher IAS



Disadvantages of a 3 Blade:

Lower IAS.

A bit scary to Hand Prop.

In the winter you collect (more) snow & ice in the spinner.

When you ding  a prop you usually ding 2 or more blades of the prop.

Doing R&R of the cowling is a bit more tricky.



Even though your logic was not correct the main thing is you are happy with

the prop you chosen.



*Barry*

*“Chop’d Liver”*



NJ has taken the next step.  They are identifying cars with bad drivers.

You will notice some cars with a large red "R" on them.   That is to

identify the drivers as "R"estricted.  Restricted is just a polite way of

saying Bad Drivers.  Be cautious around them.

On Sun, Nov 24, 2013 at 4:25 PM, Vance Simons <vancesimons(at)gmail.com> wrote:



[quote] The firefly will haul up aloft. You might find the plane a bit of a little

 tight fit for a guy your size but height seems a bigger issue than weight

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Firefly2013

Joined: 24 Nov 2013
Posts: 3

Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2013 7:44 am Post subject: Re: Thinking about buying a Firefly?

[quote="rvsimons"]The firefly will haul up aloft. You might find the plane a bit of a little tight fit for a guy your size but height seems a bigger issue than weight. I am 210 5'10 and was comfortable in the firefly I sat in.  

Personally I perfer a three blade over a two blade anyday. They say a two blade will give you better climb performance. I had a three blade GSC prop on a Phantom and switched to a two blade to achieve better climb performance. I was sorely disappointed. Although it did climb better vibration was more apparent and the climb performance was not worth what i gave up in smoother operation.ï¿½ I went back to the three blade. I would recommend a three blade Warp Drive over the Powerfin if you can find one. Its the best prop I've ever ran. I have a Powerfin on a Phantom now and there is blade movement inside the hub with everything tourqued down to specs. I'm going to replace it with a Warp Drive once I run this engine out.  On Nov 24, 2013 11:55 AM, "Firefly2013" <jschepis> wrote:[quote] --> RotaxEngines-List message posted by: "Firefly2013" <jschepis>

 

 I was wondering if a firefly with a 447 engine plus parachute and 5 gallons of fuel will fly a pilot that is around 225lbs. I would be taking off at a elevation of around 80ft, airport in New Jersey.

 

 Also which prop would be best for me, a 2 blade wood prop or a 3 blade powerfin?

 

Thanks  Rvsimons, I'm 5' 10" so I guess it would be ok for me. I was looking to buy a firefly I saw forsale, but I think I am going to wait and get sport pilot licence as that would give me more choices. I want to fly something with a 4 stroke, that I can trailer to avoid paying hanger fee's in case I don't have time for flying allot, I don't want to be stuck paying for things I'm not using. 

 

The phantom is the plane that I would really want, they look like a well constructed ultralight. I believe I read you have to inspect those wire's good to make sure the tangs or whatever they are called do not become elongated. How do you like the Phantom? It would be my first choice except for the need for a hanger. 



I think a firestar with a rotax 912 or someother 4 stroke would work for me because I could keep it trialered in my yard and hook it up when I want to go flying? And hopefully sell it if I get bored with it. 

 

Thanks

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Firefly2013

Joined: 24 Nov 2013
Posts: 3

Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2013 7:54 am Post subject: Re: Thinking about buying a Firefly?

The  "R" on New Jersey Licence plates  is showing support the Rutgers University Scarlet Knights.

Also the big Red "R" any where on the vehicle are for the College.

http://www.alumni.rutgers.edu/s/896/2col.aspx?sid=896&pgid=349



https://www.govtrack.us/states/nj/bills/2012-2013/s753



Thanks for the info

[quote="BARRY CHECK 6"]Vance:



If you consider what you, are expected from a 3 blade Vs 2 blade...  Then

YES - You will be disappointed.

The advantage of a 3 blade are:

Lower Tip Speed at the same RPM

Less noise

Better Vertical Speed (VSI)

More Ground clearance

Easier to do static prop balance.

Easier to do dynamic prop balancing



The advantages of a 2 blade are:

Higher IAS



Disadvantages of a 3 Blade:

Lower IAS.

A bit scary to Hand Prop.

In the winter you collect (more) snow & ice in the spinner.

When you ding  a prop you usually ding 2 or more blades of the prop.

Doing R&R of the cowling is a bit more tricky.



Even though your logic was not correct the main thing is you are happy with

the prop you chosen.



*Barry*

*ï¿½Chopï¿½d Liverï¿½*



NJ has taken the next step.  They are identifying cars with bad drivers.

You will notice some cars with a large red "R" on them.   That is to

identify the drivers as "R"estricted.  Restricted is just a polite way of

saying Bad Drivers.  Be cautious around them.

On Sun, Nov 24, 2013 at 4:25 PM, Vance Simons <vancesimons> wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   The firefly will haul up aloft. You might find the plane a bit of a little

 tight fit for a guy your size but height seems a bigger issue than weight

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henry.voris

Joined: 02 Mar 2007
Posts: 116
Location: Pueo Field, Kula, Maui

Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2013 6:04 pm Post subject: Re: Thinking about buying a Firefly?

Firefly 2013...



I drive a Firefly powered by a thundering 447. But at 155 lb. and at 3,800 ft. our mileage will vary...



You may want to try you question on the Kolb List...



Aloha,

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Henry
Firefly Five-Charlie-Bravo

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