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tonyk(at)kaon.co.nz
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 Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 12:19 am Post subject: Propellers |
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There is something that has been puzling me for a while.
Many people on this group suggest one CS propeller system vs the other based on weight, cost and increased performance yet not once have I seen anyone ask about what testing programme has been run with that particular prop on the Europa.
A few years ago I was priveleged enough to be the (unpaid) test pilot for Airmaster. Airmaster, when they were ready to go into production, went out and bought a Europa with a fixed pitch prop, fitted a US$5000 in flight data recorder and I then spent 30 hours flying the plane in just about every flight configuration you could imagine.
While this was going on Airmaster were having their hub tested at Auckland University to determine the blade pull out forces (I believe they gave up at 28,000lbs) and analysing the hamonics of the system.
They then fitted the Airmaster CS prop to the aircraft and I repeated the flight test process... right up to doing rapid throttle backoffs while flying the aircraft at 185 knots with a harmonic analyser strapped to the engine at the insistance of the PFA and thoroughly exploring the climb rate under all fail conditions so that a go around is actually possible in all conditions. While flying at that speed is something that I am unlikely to repeat and wouldn't recommend except under strictly controlled test flight conditions, flying the Europa at 185 knots in a steady dive from 10000 feet is the closest I can imagine to flying a jet fighter.
Doing this test flying gave me a real respect of how good a job Europa did with the design of this aircraft and how much work goes into the design, implementation and testing of a propeller system that I'd be happy to fly behind in all situations.
When you are considering a propeller system that is an alternative to the one that Europa recommend can I suggest that you ask for their test data and ask them what flight test programme they have flown on the Europa. If that can't be provided then you need to assume that you are going to be the test pilot.
As to performance of a Europa fitted with a CS prop... in 2002 I made a flight with the data recorder running and peaked at 149KIAS/ 151KTAS at 1500 feet straight and level... this with a 912 powered Europa and Airmaster propeller fitted. After this flight I came to the conclusion that the aircraft flies far batter with the CofG as far aft as practical and now, when I am doing high speed run testing always shift the CofG aft.
Regards
Tony
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terobo(at)tiscali.co.uk
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| Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 6:18 am Post subject: Propellers |
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| Quote: | From Tim Robertson
The Wilcksh Diesel company Europa has an MT three bladed prop and has been
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through it's approval testing by the MT company. I do not know any other
details. Hope my first posting works....
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ward.t(at)xtra.co.nz
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| Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 1:30 pm Post subject: Propellers |
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Welcome back Tony and well said. I certainly agree regarding the performance
of the Airmaster prop and the highly professional development and back up
service.
Cheers,
Tim
Tim Ward
12 Waiwetu Street,
Fendalton,
Christchurch, 8005
New Zealand.
Ph +64 3 3515166
Mobile 021 0640221
ward.t(at)xtra.co.nz
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