Engine prop combo

[Azemon]

Hi All,

I am a newbie and am planning on building a 10. My question is what would be a good prop engine combo for a 10 intended for cross country and general purpose flying? I don't need 250 MPH performance, fuel burn more of a concern. Thanks in advance.

AJ

[Mike S]

Andy, welcome to the good ship VAF

Good to have you aboard.

The factory recommended 260 hp engine and a 2 bladed blended airfoil prop are all you need.

Vans can supply either or both, and good OEM pricing.

Many folks are bumping up the hp, self included, but it is not a necessity.

The 3 blades props are reported to be smoother, but give up a few mph.

All in all, just following the factory recommendations will give you a really nice performing airplane.

[Azemon]

Mike,

Thank you for the quick and friendly reply. It is good to be here. I have hovered and lurked the site before registering and I have come to enjoy the tone and comradery of the members. Thanks again.

AJ

[BobTurner]

Glad you don't want 250 MPH, because an RV-10 won't get you there!

Seriously, Mike gives good advice. Lots of people are flying the stock IO- or XIO-540 with the 2 blade Hartzell CS prop sold by Vans, and seeing 160 KTAS on 10 gal/hr. The gas mileage (nm/gal) is 50% higher than what I previously got in a C182, while going 20% faster! This is a great plane.

I know of at least one -10 with a fixed pitch prop, but I wouldn't recommend it.

[Wayne Gillispie]

The -10 is an excellent family hauler. (approximations)At 5500', 60% power, leaned to peak egt, <10 gph...150 ktas and 15 nmpg. Try that in a Tahoe or Expedition.

If one wants to have air conditioning or aux battery in the tailcone you will need the heavier prop up front. With lighter composite prop and a/c you will only be able to carry two small children or one adult in the back seats with full baggage. So glad I chose the -10 over the Velocity. Yes, this is an excellent forum.

[Nick]

As others have said, stock 260HP. Personal preference would be a rebuild from Barrett, Aerosports, or Ly-Con. Prop: Hartzel Blended 2 blade. 3 blades look sexy, but you will loose speed and the cowl is harder to get off.


Our -10: Stock IO-540-EXP (Airflow FI) 260 HP, Harzell prop. Real life TAS @ 8500 ft, 177 knts @ 14 GPH. We're not set up for LOP yet, so I can't comment on that.

40569, flying. 190 awesome hrs so far. Currently down for paint.

[Azemon]

Thanks to everyone for the great feedback.

My question is, if you are a certified mechanic that has built many engines over the last 30 years, can you rebuild your own IO-540 and have it approved.

I have built and blueprinted many engines, for off road and fast cars, and would like to over haul and blue print my own IO-540.

Any advice?

AJ

[aerhed]

On an experimental you can build your own. You can make your own parts with a file if you want. Your engine won't be certified though unless an A&P will bless your work with a sign-off. All this really means is you will definitely have a 40 hour Phase 1 test period. Your engine has to be an unmodified "Airworthy" chunk to be eligible for a 25hr Phase 1.
There's not a whole lot to blueprint really. Mostly you can balance your brains out and do a really good job on fit/assembly. You can have cylinder assemblies flowed, but the gains aren't huge.

[rdoerr01]

With the stock IO-540D4A5 and the blended airfoil hartzell from Van's and I cruise at 65% getting 162 Kts at 10.5 G/h or just local flying at 50% power getting 135 Kts at 8.5 G/h.

Thanks

Ray
N519RV (780 Hrs now).

[johngoodman]

If you haven't even ordered a tail kit yet, don't even think about the engine and prop yet. By the time you are thinking about a fuselage kit, the engine choices might be very different.

John