yakjock(at)gmail.com Guest
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Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 7:29 am Post subject: Metal props vs composite |
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I had a chance to fly Joe Howse's CJ with the Chinese 3 blade metal prop. Smooth with good performance. However, IMHO having 1,200 hours or so flying with the M14 and composite 3 blade props (first a Whirlwind and then an MT) I prefer the composite to the metal.
The composite is very smooth (when balanced) with excellent performance. It is lighter than the metal (which helps with CG - less weight in the stern), it has been flown in a wide range of applications, there are a lot of them in use and parts/maintenance are readily available.
My number one reason for not using metal is that the metal prop will lunch your engine with any prop strike. As has been demonstrated a number of times, the composite will shatter on impact and the probability is good that the engine will survive unscathed.
(It is my understanding that the 52 paddle prop has "cut to" markings on the blades that one can trim back to in the event of a gear up - and still fly the plane. True??)
Batman
(With folks now stealing wire, art sculptures and any other metal they can find to support various habits, would a big old metal prop be a target? Kind of a feather in their nest?)
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