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- Apr 24, 2012
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I'm currently running a Sensenich 76-56 prop on my S-1E. No electrical system, but I'm in the process of adding a lightweight starter system.
I'm thinking of switching to a lighter prop for 2 reasons: 1- I wanna keep it light, and make up for the weight gain with starter system. 2- smoother operation, esp with gyroscopic loads.
I like the Sensenich 56 pitch prop for the way it pulls/accelerates at low speeds. The only place I dislike it is in trying to maintain speed on a level line- even at WOT, I decelerate from 180 to 160 in a matter of seconds.
I spoke to Frank at Performance Props yesterday about his "almost-constant-speed" props. Apparently the blades flex as airspeeds vary, limiting RPM at high airspeed and maximizing RPM at low airspeed (hence "almost-constant-speed"). If I've got this right, the prop should pull well at low speeds (e.g. the top of a vertical) but will also allow a faster straight-and-level speed (e.g. driving across the box). My impression is that Performance Props are a bit more common on RVs, and the RV guys seem to speak highly of them; however, I can't find much info on their use for serious aerobatics.
Does anybody have any experience flying aerobatics with these things, especially on an S-1S or similar? Better yet, does anybody have any actual data as to how they perform compared to a metal prop?
Thanks,
EK
I'm thinking of switching to a lighter prop for 2 reasons: 1- I wanna keep it light, and make up for the weight gain with starter system. 2- smoother operation, esp with gyroscopic loads.
I like the Sensenich 56 pitch prop for the way it pulls/accelerates at low speeds. The only place I dislike it is in trying to maintain speed on a level line- even at WOT, I decelerate from 180 to 160 in a matter of seconds.
I spoke to Frank at Performance Props yesterday about his "almost-constant-speed" props. Apparently the blades flex as airspeeds vary, limiting RPM at high airspeed and maximizing RPM at low airspeed (hence "almost-constant-speed"). If I've got this right, the prop should pull well at low speeds (e.g. the top of a vertical) but will also allow a faster straight-and-level speed (e.g. driving across the box). My impression is that Performance Props are a bit more common on RVs, and the RV guys seem to speak highly of them; however, I can't find much info on their use for serious aerobatics.
Does anybody have any experience flying aerobatics with these things, especially on an S-1S or similar? Better yet, does anybody have any actual data as to how they perform compared to a metal prop?
Thanks,
EK
