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1. 06:28 AM - Re: Propellor Choices (pilot623)
2. 08:28 AM - Re: Propellor Choices (barrynorman@comcast.net)
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| Subject: | Propellor Choices |
Barry,
I've always heard that 3 blades are better for takeoff and climb but worse
for cruise speed than 2 blades. I believe this holds true for fixed pitch.
In a constant speed setup, I believe there are still probably some penalties
associated with more blades during cruise. This is all just my opinion and
I'm only an expert on my opinion.
Cliff made an important point in an earlier post about the braking ability
when the prop flattens out. Before I started flying a Pulsar, I heard many
comments about how hard it could be to get it slowed down for landing but
I've never had any problem in that respect. Of course I've always flown mine
with 3 blades and the ability to flatten out the prop for landing. Lastly,
I've always thought 3 blades looked better on a plane.
I have no experience with the GSC in-flight adjustable and only a few hours
behind an Arplast in Tim Rupp's plane. I looked at the Whirlwind but it
required a conventional governor and was quite expensive compared to Arplast
and Ivo at the time. I strongly considered the Arplast before choosing an
Ivo when originally launching my Pulsar. I liked the Arplast better but was
afraid of the fact they were in France and didn't have a solid support
structure in the USA. Bernie Berger and I bought Ivos at the same time (his
was 2 blade magnum for the 914) and negotiated a "volume" discount. And then
for my fire rebuild I bought the Airmaster from New Zealand, go figure. At
least they spoke my language even if their measurements were all weird.
Hope this provides some insight, at least from my expert opinion.
Jim
N623JF
Rotax 912S
Airmaster AP332 constant speed 3 blade
_____
From: owner-pulsar-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-pulsar-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of
barrynorman@comcast.net
Sent: Thursday, October 25, 2012 6:29 PM
Subject: Re: Pulsar-List: Propellor Choices
Jim,
Thanks for the info. Is there an advantage to a three blade vs two blade?
Barry
_____
From: "pilot623" <pilot623@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 25, 2012 5:34:15 PM
Subject: RE: Pulsar-List: Propellor Choices
Hi Barry,
I used the 3 blade Ivo medium before. The Airmaster is 3 blade as well and
uses Warp blades. I like the inlaid nickel leading edges but here in
Houston, have to keep a light coat of oil or grease on the nickel to avoid
corrosion. I have seen around 5 mph improvement with the Airmaster. It is
fully feathering but I haven't feathered it in flight. Something about
killing a perfectly happy engine in flight bothers me.
A rotating switch is used to select the Takeoff (5,800 rpm), Climb (5,500)
or Cruise (5,000) setting. There a Hold setting so you can select your rpm
if you don't want to use one of the standard settings. There is also a
Manual mode where you then use a toggle switch to increase or decrease
pitch. This prop only consumes an amp or two vs. the Ivo which consumes more
as it nears the stops, up to 10 amps or so. The Ivo achieves different pitch
settings by warping the blades rather than rotating them in the hub.
Jim
_____
From: owner-pulsar-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-pulsar-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of
barrynorman@comcast.net
Sent: Thursday, October 25, 2012 3:56 PM
Subject: Re: Pulsar-List: Propellor Choices
Jim,
What prop did you have before? Did you get the 2 or three blade version?
Was there in improvement in performance over the old one?
Barry
_____
From: "pilot623" <pilot623@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 25, 2012 12:17:53 PM
Subject: RE: Pulsar-List: Propellor Choices
I have to agree with Cliff. My Airmaster CS prop has been in use about 140
hours and as he says, it's simple to use in all phases of flight. I have not
had any maintenance issues. It's a bit heavier than most and certainly more
expensive but I love it and would buy it again. My previous experience was
with the Ivo in-flight adjustable. It worked fine but I did suffer a few
maintenance issues like replacing the internal drive motor twice. I'm no
aerodynamicist but the shape of the blades had me wondering if there were
some more efficiencies that could be had there. I've never operated my plane
with a fixed pitch prop.
Jim Fillman
N623JF
Series 2
Rotax 912S
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-pulsar-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-pulsar-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of freedom4life
Sent: Monday, October 22, 2012 3:01 PM
Subject: Re: Pulsar-List: Propellor Choices
--> <freedom4life@xtra.co.nz>
Hi Bill
I have been using a Constant Speed Airmaster Prop for the last 1500 hrs on
my Pulsar XP. In the circle of friends that I fly with more than 15 run this
same propeller. I have not had to do anything to it other than replace
brushes. It transformed my plane and I wouldn't replace it with anything
else. The controller is simple to use and brilliant. There are others in
the group running this prop so it would be good to hear their experience
too. I'm not an agent for these but I certainly endorse them.
http://www.airmasterpropellers.com/
Cliff
Hello All,
I've been flying N168TM (Pulsar III - 912ULS) for almost ten years with the
Arplast PV50. The plane is ready for a new prop. What are folks using these
days with Pulsars? I must admit that the simplicity of a fixed pitch prop is
appealing, but I'm afraid I may have gotten used to the in-flight
adjustable's ability to optimize for climb and cruise.
During the last flight the pitch motor failed to adjust the prop pitch. This
time the electric motor is spinning freely so I suspect a stripped lead
screw. In past years I've had that happen one other time, plus two failed
electric pitch motors. Fortuntately the failure mode is always the same -
pitch is stuck where you last had it. So as long as pitch range is limited
to safe flight you're okay, but it does make the cross country longer when
top speed is 110mph due to engine rpm.
If anyone has old Arplast parts I'd consider buying. But something
completely different might be the best solution at this point.
Bill
_p; &n===================
href="http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Pulsar-List">http://www.matronhref
"http://forums.matronics.com">http://forums.matronics.com
href="http://www.matronics.com/contribution">http://www.matronics.com/c
arget=_blank>http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Pulsar-List
p://forums.matronics.com
blank>http://www.matronics.com/contribution
Message 2
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| Subject: | Re: Propellor Choices |
Thanks for all the info.=C2-Sounds like it comes down to where you want y
our performance much like gearing a race car. I like mine in cruise because
I take a lot of long trips.
=C2-
Jim, I finally mounted the RV front wheel pant on the Pulsar like yours. Lo
oks good and makes maintenance much easier.
=C2-
Barry
----- Original Message -----
From: "pilot623" <pilot623@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, October 26, 2012 9:27:58
Subject: RE: Pulsar-List: Propellor Choices
Barry,
=C2-
I've always heard that 3 blades are better for takeoff and climb but worse
for cruise speed than 2 blades. I believe this holds true for fixed pitch.
In a constant speed setup, I believe there are still probably some penaltie
s associated with more blades during cruise. This is all just my opinion an
d=C2-I'm only an expert on my opinion.
=C2-
Cliff made an important point in an earlier post about the braking ability
when the prop flattens out. Before I started flying a Pulsar, I heard many
comments about how hard it could be to get it slowed down for landing but I
've never had any problem in that respect. Of course I've always flown mine
with 3 blades and the ability to flatten out the prop for landing. Lastly,
I've always thought 3 blades looked better on a plane.
=C2-
I have no experience with the GSC in-flight adjustable and only a few hours
behind an Arplast in Tim Rupp's plane. I looked at the Whirlwind but it re
quired a conventional governor and was quite expensive compared to Arplast
and Ivo at the time.=C2-I strongly considered the Arplast before choosing
an Ivo when originally launching my Pulsar. I liked the Arplast better but
was afraid of the fact they were in France and didn't have a solid support
structure in the USA. Bernie Berger and I bought Ivos at the same time (hi
s was 2 blade magnum for the 914) and negotiated=C2-a "volume" discount.
=C2-And then=C2-for my fire rebuild=C2-I bought the Airmaster from Ne
w Zealand, go figure. At least they spoke my language even if their measure
ments were all weird.
=C2-
Hope this provides some insight, at least from my expert opinion.
=C2-
Jim
N623JF
Rotax 912S
Airmaster AP332 constant speed 3 blade
From: owner-pulsar-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-pulsar-list-serv
er@matronics.com] On Behalf Of barrynorman@comcast.net
Sent: Thursday, October 25, 2012 6:29 PM
Subject: Re: Pulsar-List: Propellor Choices
Jim,
=C2-
Thanks for the info. Is there an advantage to a three blade vs two blade?
=C2-
Barry
----- Original Message -----
From: "pilot623" <pilot623@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 25, 2012 5:34:15 PM
Subject: RE: Pulsar-List: Propellor Choices
Hi Barry,
=C2-
I used the 3 blade Ivo medium before. The Airmaster is 3 blade as well and
uses Warp blades. I like the inlaid nickel leading edges but here in Housto
n, have to keep a light coat of oil or grease on the nickel to avoid corros
ion. I have seen around 5 mph improvement with the Airmaster. It is fully f
eathering but I haven't feathered it in flight. Something about killing a p
erfectly happy engine in flight bothers me.
=C2-
A rotating switch is used to select the Takeoff (5,800 rpm), Climb (5,500)
or Cruise (5,000) setting. There a Hold setting so you can select your rpm
if you don't want to use one of the standard settings. There is also a Manu
al mode where you then use a toggle switch to increase or decrease pitch. T
his prop only consumes an amp or two vs. the Ivo which consumes more as it
nears the stops, up to 10 amps or so. The Ivo achieves different pitch sett
ings by warping the blades rather than rotating them in the hub.
=C2-
Jim
<blockquote>
From: owner-pulsar-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-pulsar-list-serv
er@matronics.com] On Behalf Of barrynorman@comcast.net
Sent: Thursday, October 25, 2012 3:56 PM
Subject: Re: Pulsar-List: Propellor Choices
Jim,
=C2-
What prop did you have before?=C2- Did you get the 2 or three blade versi
on? Was there in improvement in performance over the old one?
=C2-
Barry
----- Original Message -----
From: "pilot623" <pilot623@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 25, 2012 12:17:53 PM
Subject: RE: Pulsar-List: Propellor Choices
I have to agree with Cliff. My Airmaster CS prop has been in use about 140
hours and as he says, it's simple to use in all phases of flight. I have no
t
had any maintenance issues. It's a bit heavier than most and certainly more
expensive but I love it and would buy it again. My previous experience was
with the Ivo in-flight adjustable. It worked fine but I did suffer a few
maintenance issues like replacing the internal drive motor twice. I'm no
aerodynamicist but the shape of the blades had me wondering if there were
some more efficiencies that could be had there. I've never operated my plan
e
with a fixed pitch prop.
Jim Fillman
N623JF
Series 2
Rotax 912S
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-pulsar-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-pulsar-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of freedom4life
Sent: Monday, October 22, 2012 3:01 PM
Subject: Re: Pulsar-List: Propellor Choices
--> <freedom4life@xtra.co.nz>
Hi Bill
I have been using a Constant Speed Airmaster Prop for the last 1500 hrs on
my Pulsar XP. In the circle of friends that I fly with more than 15 run thi
s
same propeller. =C2-I have not had to do anything to it other than replac
e
brushes. =C2-It transformed my plane and I wouldn't replace it with anyth
ing
else. =C2-The controller is simple to use and brilliant. =C2-There are
others in
the group running this prop so it would be good to hear their experience
too. I'm not an agent for these but I certainly endorse them.
http://www.airmasterpropellers.com/
Cliff
Hello All,
I've been flying N168TM (Pulsar III - 912ULS) for almost ten years with the
Arplast PV50. The plane is ready for a new prop. What are folks using these
days with Pulsars? I must admit that the simplicity of a fixed pitch prop i
s
appealing, but I'm afraid I may have gotten used to the in-flight
adjustable's ability to optimize for climb and cruise.
During the last flight the pitch motor failed to adjust the prop pitch. Thi
s
time the electric motor is spinning freely so I suspect a stripped lead
screw. In past years I've had that happen one other time, plus two failed
electric pitch motors. Fortuntately the failure mode is always the same -
pitch is stuck where you last had it. So as long as pitch range is limited
to safe flight you're okay, but it does make the cross country longer when
top speed is 110mph due to engine rpm.
If anyone has old Arplast parts I'd consider buying. But something
completely different might be the best solution at this point.
Bill
_p; =C2- =C2- =C2- =C2- =C2- =C2- =C2- =C2- =C2- =C2- &
n====================
href="http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Pulsar-List">http://www.matronhr
ef="http://forums.matronics.com">http://forums.matronics.com href="http
://www.matronics.com/contribution">http://www.matronics.com/c
arget=_blank>http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Pulsar-List p://forums.ma
tronics.com blank>http://www.matronics.com/contribution href="http://www.
matronics.com/Navigator?Pulsar-List">http://www.matronhref="http://forums
.matronics.com">http://forums.matronics.com href="http://www.matronics.co
m/contribution">http://www.matronics.com/c
</blockquote>
==
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