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09-21-2011, 04:42 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Donie,Texas
Posts: 199
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All You Want to Know About Wood Propellers
Wood Propellers are a fantastic choice for your RV.  They are light,inexpensive,and low maintenance.
I've started this thread to help those who have questions about Wood Propellers.
A few topics to start are:
1)Maintenance- They are LOW maintenance Not NO maintenance. As always inspect you Prop before each flight.
a. Moisture is a slow destroyer of a wood propeller. Any sort of damage which breaks thru the finish should be addressed as soon as possible.
b. Torque should be checked at each annual-I suggest checking the torque on new propeller installations after the frist flight or at least after the first hour.
c.All Wood Propellers need to be refinished every few years to prevent moisture damage. Check with the Manufacturer to determine what process is used for the finish. some are simple varnish others are automotive clear coats.If you chose to refinish yourself check the balance. its easy to get off.
2)Cost-Wood propellers are the most economical of choices. Typically they start at 800.00 and go up to 2700.00 depending on application.(two or three blade)
3)Weight-A typical two blade weighs 11 to 12 pounds then you add the extension(6lbs), crush plate(2lbs) and bolts(2lbs). So the installed weight is around 21 pounds.
4)Aerobatics-
a.Wood propellers do not work fatigue like aluminum props. This is a big advantage with props used in aerobatic applications.
b.Wood propellers have a much lower polar moment of inertia which results in a lower gyroscopic effect thereby giving a more responsive aircraft.
These are a few bits of information on Wood Propellers. Please feel free to ask if you have questions. From time to time I'll be adding information.
__________________
Frank
RV6-N164FJ sold sadly
Legal Eagle w/Verner 3VW
Rans S7s
RV4- in progress
Last edited by PropMan : 11-14-2011 at 08:45 PM.
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09-21-2011, 08:40 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Albuquerque
Posts: 297
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wood prop
I absolutely LOVE my Sterba wood prop!
$655 delivered to my front door and it works great.
Also, its gorgeous to look at.
Of course, you can spend more (lots more) on a prop but I'd rather buy fuel and go flying....
Dave
-9A
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09-21-2011, 10:53 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Corvallis Oregon.
Posts: 680
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So how would a wood prop be on an RV-7.
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09-22-2011, 02:50 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Gilbert, AZ
Posts: 1,628
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I beg to disagree!
Wood props, properly sized are great for racing and you can hardly argue with the price. But for all-around use I would not recommend wood props for most RVs. You MUST slow down and reduce RPM at the first sign of rain or you risk destroying the finish on wood props. The first time your buddies leave you behind will convince you that perhaps a metal or composite prop would have been a better idea.
Before you flame me, note that I said "for all-around use". I will argue that wood props are definitely not preferred for SERIOUS aerobatics or formation flying where a CS prop is needed. Personally, I would never consider a wood prop on my RV.
(Let the flaming begin...  )
__________________
Ron Schreck
IAC National Judge
RV-8, "Miss Izzy", 2250 Hours - Sold
VAF 2021 Donor
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09-22-2011, 04:19 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Louisville, Ga
Posts: 7,840
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I'm with Smoky.
We used a three-blade Catto on our -6A and it bettered Van's numbers by a little...around 201 MPH, WOT, TAS at 7,500'.
Wooden props usually have a much thicker shank at the root and I've yet to see one outperform the Catto.
Can't adress the formation issue, although I've seen FP props flying formation as well.
Best,
__________________
Pierre Smith
RV-10, 510 TT
RV6A (Sojourner) 180 HP, Catto 3 Bl (502Hrs), gone...and already missed
Air Tractor AT 502B PT 6-15 Sold
Air Tractor 402 PT-6-20 Sold
EAA Flight Advisor/CFI/Tech Counselor
Louisville, Ga
It's never skill or craftsmanship that completes airplanes, it's the will to do so,
Patrick Kenny, EAA 275132
Dues gladly paid!
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09-22-2011, 05:56 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: na
Posts: 1,457
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Wood Props
No flaming required...but
No idea why anyone would think a wood prop or more specifically a FP prop hinders formation flying in any way? Unless maybe you are talking a max performance section take-off at high elevation..otherwise it is completely a non-issue. I can understand for airshows having all players matched in configuration would make it much easier for lead but for general point A to B formation flying not a problem. In fact, when formation flying was invented the planes all had wood props...
Curious what defines "serious aerobatics" in an RV? I would hope anyone performing aerobatics in their RV take them "seriously"?
I've been working on the Primary and many of the Sportsman figures all summer with my FP wood sensenich and nothing bad has happened - should I be afraid now 
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09-22-2011, 06:07 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Chesterfield, Missouri
Posts: 4,514
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I had 2 Clark Lydic props with a pusher airplane that cruised faster than the RV's and they held up quite well. Yes, they had to be refinished about every year but that was no big deal and easy to do with spar varnish or clear epoxy. Rain does a much worse job on the Catto than it did with the Performance prop. It has a tough leading edge which the Catto does not have (before the stainless option).
Laminated wood is very strong for its weight. The first prop lost a blade when a piece of exhaust pipe went through it, the other 2 blades while damaged did not depart. The light weight of the unit limited vibration to the point where there was no damage to the engine. If that had happened with a metal prop, the engine would have departed.
Over all, you get what you pay for. The Catto or this prop are very good compromises and show excellent performance - but not as excellent as a CS unit, especially on take off. There days I wish I had 2700 rpm for take off. The Performance design is quasi CS in that static rpm was 2350-2400 whereas the Catto runs at 2200. (mine is actually about 2180 most days but it gets wound up quick once in the air)
__________________
RV-12 Build Helper
RV-7A...Sold #70374
The RV-8...Sold #83261
I'm in, dues paid 2019 This place is worth it!
Last edited by David-aviator : 09-22-2011 at 06:13 AM.
Reason: added FP rpm stuff
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09-22-2011, 06:26 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Gilbert, AZ
Posts: 1,628
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RV8R999
No flaming required...but
No idea why anyone would think a wood prop or more specifically a FP prop hinders formation flying in any way? Unless maybe you are talking a max performance section take-off at high elevation..otherwise it is completely a non-issue. I can understand for airshows having all players matched in configuration would make it much easier for lead but for general point A to B formation flying not a problem. In fact, when formation flying was invented the planes all had wood props...
Curious what defines "serious aerobatics" in an RV? I would hope anyone performing aerobatics in their RV take them "seriously"?
I've been working on the Primary and many of the Sportsman figures all summer with my FP wood sensenich and nothing bad has happened - should I be afraid now 
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Yes, you can fly formation and aerobatics with wood props. SERIOUS formation pilots enjoy the rapid acceleration AND deceleration that only a CS prop provides. High speed descents will leave fixed pitch airplanes behind as they throttle back to avoid overspeeding their engines. Similarly, SERIOUS aerobatics demand high speeds and propeller braking in the RV. Team RV enters over-the-top maneuvers at 200KTAS, too fast for fixed pitch props. The CS provides the braking action needed to avoid exceeding Vne on downlines and during formation aerobatics the CS provides the braking action to avoid overtaking the lead aircraft while rolling out of a barrel roll from the outside position.
All Team RV aircraft have CS props. Some converted from wood or metal FP props. None have gone back!
I am not discouraging anyone from flying formation from A to B or doing aerobatics with their FP prop. But if you take either formation flying or aerobatics to the edge of the aircraft envelope, you will eventually find that the FP propeller will be a limiting factor. If you stay well within the center of the envelope you may never exceed the capabilities of your FP propeller and will continue to enjoy the benefits described in the leading post to this thread. It's your airplane. You make the choice.
__________________
Ron Schreck
IAC National Judge
RV-8, "Miss Izzy", 2250 Hours - Sold
VAF 2021 Donor
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09-22-2011, 07:45 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Donie,Texas
Posts: 199
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Rivethead-Yes, they work Great on all the RVs
Smokey-No flaming here
I don?t want this to become a mine is better thread- just want to help inform people.
I have many customers who use their Wood propeller for all around use. And yes, you throttle back when entering rain but at 2300rpm and indicating 165mph I can hardly call that slow, I would suspect most would not enter rain at speeds near Vne.
All Around Use:
When a Wood prop is used in IFR conditions it Will need to be refinished more often. Some have this done at Annual and the propellers have been in service for well over ten years.
Note: If the propeller doesn?t have any sort of leading edge protection Do Not fly thru rain! It will erode the propeller away.
I install a polymer-alloy leading edge and glass the tips to protect against damage. This holds up very well for all around use.
Aerobatics: Properly designed- the wood propeller is great for aerobatics.
I can limit the overspeed problem on th down side with proper design.
RVs, OneDesign, Pitts, Laser, Bucker Jungmann & Jungmiester, Skybolt, and Starduster are some of the airframes that have Performance Propellers on them. I would venture to say they are SERIOUS about Aerobatics.
Formation: Yes, for those who choose to participate in formations may be better suited with a CS propeller. This all dependes on your intended mission of your airplane.
__________________
Frank
RV6-N164FJ sold sadly
Legal Eagle w/Verner 3VW
Rans S7s
RV4- in progress
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09-22-2011, 08:07 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Gilbert, AZ
Posts: 1,628
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PropMan
Rivethead-Yes, they work Great on all the RVs
Smokey-No flaming here
I don?t want this to become a mine is better thread- just want to help inform people.....
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I appreciate the information you have presented. Ultimately it is the builder who will decide what prop to hang on his airplane. The more information he has, the better. We all have our prejudices and preferences. The informed builder will try to separate hype from fact and make a decision that will fit his mission. Isn't it wonderful to have so many choices? 
__________________
Ron Schreck
IAC National Judge
RV-8, "Miss Izzy", 2250 Hours - Sold
VAF 2021 Donor
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