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-   -   Vari-Prop...anyone use them? (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=90130)

TXFlyGuy 08-23-2012 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timothywhigginbotham (Post 692680)
I am the owner of the RV-4. Less than 2 hours on the prop when it failed. Both blades failed at the wooden blade-root. Please read the entire thread if you are considering this manufacturer.

If Jeff Bertuleit @ Props INC (or anyone else) made that statement, it's not true. He is probably referring to the RV-8 in OK that also lost a blade in-flight. The RV-8 was totaled and the owner was injured. Jeff got us mixed up repeatedly. He even sent my prop to the guy in OK by mistake. Jeff did feel one of the other props was abused because the owner planned to operate up to 3000 RPM. My prop never exceeded 2640 RPM before the event. My engine sure did when the prop came off though. Lots of damage to the valve train and other stuff.

I understand there was also a third prop that failed. At one point Jeff was being sued over this. I chose to not participate in a lawsuit. My insurance carrier indicated they may pursue damages.

I am not referring to the hub design. I have no experience with it. The wooden prop blade in the picture looks identical to the one I lost...

I had no knowledge of the other two Props INC failures before my 1st flight. I have nothing to gain or lose at this point. We don?t put the big experimental sticker on for nothing. You get to decide for yourself.

I have now eliminated Vari-Prop from my list of manufacturers. Thanks for your input...you must count your blessings every day!

ccrawford 08-23-2012 08:15 PM

Just for further info, I had seen that thread before which is very interesting. Vari-Prop uses their own blade retention mechanism (not the weird compression, whatever-it-is system the ground adjustable hub from Props Inc uses). There are 3-4 lag bolts going directly into the blade body which are epoxied in. The lag bolts fix a metal retaining ring around the base of the blade, which I believe is also epoxied.

I don't have a good picture of that, but I can get one if anyone is interested.

There are some folks successfully flying with these (and apparently lots of airboats), but certainly not as many as the mainstream brands.

smokyray 08-24-2012 11:32 AM

Testing, testing...
 
I have seen two in current operation installed on local airboats, both with composite blades per the website. Both had no apparent issues...

Smokey

http://www.variprop.com/

FYI, The hub/blade system VariProp uses and the ill fated Props Inc system previously mentioned are two completely different animals.

TXFlyGuy 08-24-2012 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokyray (Post 692861)
I have seen two in current operation installed on local airboats, both with composite blades per the website. Both had no apparent issues...

Smokey

http://www.variprop.com/

FYI, The hub/blade system VariProp uses and the ill fated Props Inc system previously mentioned are two completely different animals.

Perhaps I should reconsider...but their props are wood, maple I think.

N941WR 08-24-2012 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXFlyGuy (Post 692867)
Perhaps I should reconsider...but their props are wood, maple I think.

A number of the composite props us wood cores. Catto even uses a maple wood core. The difference is in how they are made.

David Z 08-24-2012 05:54 PM

MT
 
MT uses a wood core in their composite blades as well. I saw a cut-away of a MT blade once, and it was quite interesting.

smokyray 08-27-2012 02:00 PM

Prop me up...
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by TXFlyGuy (Post 692867)
Perhaps I should reconsider...but their props are wood, maple I think.

Myron,
Having been down the prop trail nine times and seen the current available options out there my choices for Ground adjustable based on inputs from friends flying them FYI:

1. Whirlwind GA (all composite blades)
2. Sensenich GA (all composite blades)

My favorites I flew many hours, owned and tested.

1. Catto 2 Blade wood/composite with nickel leading edges. www.cattoprops.com
2. MT Fixed Pitch wood/composite http://www.mt-propellerusa.com/en/mtusa/products.htm
3. Gary Hertzler wood/composite hertzler@yahoo.com

V/R
Smokey

TXFlyGuy 08-29-2012 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokyray (Post 693700)
Myron,
Having been down the prop trail nine times and seen the current available options out there my choices for Ground adjustable based on inputs from friends flying them FYI:

1. Whirlwind GA (all composite blades)
2. Sensenich GA (all composite blades)

My favorites I flew many hours, owned and tested.

1. Catto 2 Blade wood/composite with nickel leading edges. www.cattoprops.com
2. MT Fixed Pitch wood/composite http://www.mt-propellerusa.com/en/mtusa/products.htm
3. Gary Hertzler wood/composite hertzler@yahoo.com

V/R
Smokey

Thanks! This prop is a 4 blade 88" paddle prop that is constant speed hydraulically operated.

Jimauman 12-05-2016 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXFlyGuy (Post 692237)
The owner, Larry Morgan said there are a number of RV's and other planes flying with his prop. Just can't find any solid information on their performance and history. My friend bought one...sure hope he chose wisely.

Well, it is now 4 years later.

What are any of you doing with Vari-Prop?

Is anyone actually flying one successfully?

Capt Jim

scrollF4 12-05-2016 07:31 AM

The variprop.com URL is for sale on GoDaddy. I don't expect to see much customer support.


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