I wanted to post a bit about switching from a RV200 to a RV74 prop. We had about 250 hours on a RV200 prop. The hub was starting to spit grease on hot days so we contacted Whirlwind in Ohio. They discussed a change in seal material and grease that was causing the issue and offered to rebuild the hub and prorate the cost to their normal overhual cycle. I felt this was a fair offer and we made plans to fly the aircraft up to Ohio.
In my conversation with them they mentioned the RV74 prop they now had available. The prop was optimized for 200 to 230 HP applications. I was very happy with the RV200 blades but got a quote on the newer blades. Since the blades have to come off for the hub overhaul there were no installation costs to switch the blades. They offered a very reasonable price to switch the blades and we got to keep the RV200 blades as spares. We decided to make the change.
I flew the aircraft up several weeks ago. We did several other mods to the aircraft when we got it back and just now have been able to get a bit more hands on time with the new prop. We also had it dynamically balanced today by Mike S at Goldhill. He did a great and quick job for a very reasonable price.
The visit to the factory was interesting as they make both the Whirlwind props and the Titan Mustang kits. I enjoyed getting a chance to check out the mustangs. I noticed one was a bit larger then the Titans. He mentioned it was a full sized mustang prototype they are working on that may become a kit. I asked where they got the plans for a full sized airframe and he replied "North American". They are building the aircraft from the original plans!
The prop hub overhual and blade switch went well. The people at Whirlwind offer great support.
The prop itself looks great on the aircraft and the performance has been excellent. I typically would see 182 to 184 knots true AS in the 7500 to 9500 foot range. The new prop seems to have added about 4 knots which is a nice improvement. Today we were holding a solid 189 knots TAS at 8500 feet 100ROP. 40LOP produced 177 knots true at 8 GPH! The bigger improvement seems to be climb. The prop really pulls. Sadly I never actually timed any aircraft climbs so the increase in climb rate is subjective however both my partner and I feel the aircraft has a noticeable increase. Solo on a cold day now this thing just leaps into the air! I should have made a few timed runs and noted the conditions since when you spend money you have a desire to see a positive outcome that can color perceptions. I think there is a very noticable improvement. The prop also is very smooth since the balance. Overall we are very happy with both the looks and performance!
George
RV6, ECI IO360 10-1 pistons, Dual lightspeeds, ECI injection.
In my conversation with them they mentioned the RV74 prop they now had available. The prop was optimized for 200 to 230 HP applications. I was very happy with the RV200 blades but got a quote on the newer blades. Since the blades have to come off for the hub overhaul there were no installation costs to switch the blades. They offered a very reasonable price to switch the blades and we got to keep the RV200 blades as spares. We decided to make the change.
I flew the aircraft up several weeks ago. We did several other mods to the aircraft when we got it back and just now have been able to get a bit more hands on time with the new prop. We also had it dynamically balanced today by Mike S at Goldhill. He did a great and quick job for a very reasonable price.
The visit to the factory was interesting as they make both the Whirlwind props and the Titan Mustang kits. I enjoyed getting a chance to check out the mustangs. I noticed one was a bit larger then the Titans. He mentioned it was a full sized mustang prototype they are working on that may become a kit. I asked where they got the plans for a full sized airframe and he replied "North American". They are building the aircraft from the original plans!
The prop hub overhual and blade switch went well. The people at Whirlwind offer great support.
The prop itself looks great on the aircraft and the performance has been excellent. I typically would see 182 to 184 knots true AS in the 7500 to 9500 foot range. The new prop seems to have added about 4 knots which is a nice improvement. Today we were holding a solid 189 knots TAS at 8500 feet 100ROP. 40LOP produced 177 knots true at 8 GPH! The bigger improvement seems to be climb. The prop really pulls. Sadly I never actually timed any aircraft climbs so the increase in climb rate is subjective however both my partner and I feel the aircraft has a noticeable increase. Solo on a cold day now this thing just leaps into the air! I should have made a few timed runs and noted the conditions since when you spend money you have a desire to see a positive outcome that can color perceptions. I think there is a very noticable improvement. The prop also is very smooth since the balance. Overall we are very happy with both the looks and performance!
George
RV6, ECI IO360 10-1 pistons, Dual lightspeeds, ECI injection.
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