RV with AVIA Prop
I bought an RV-6A (150Hp) which had a wood prop. Because of the inability to install a CS Prop on the O-320 Engine I decided on an AVIA Veriable Pitch Prop. I bought it direct from the factory and had it delivered fully assembled. The costs with shipping was about $6600.00.
If you want more information on the propyou might want to look at the AVIA web site:
http://www.aviapropeller.com
The specific prop I bought is located at:
http://www.aviapropeller.com/v503ap.htm
Don't be surprised if you have trouble understanding a lot about the AVIA prop from their web site, it is written by engineers, not pilots. The AVIA prop has been a long time staple item on some of the Zlin production airplanes.
I had no problems whatsoever with the Avia prop once it was installed and I went through multiple flights to get the best ground adjustment that I wanted. The performace with the wood fixed pitch prop was as follows: Takeoff 2200 feet; Landings 1200-1500 feet (hard to slow down with the fixed pitch prop); climb 500-600 fpm.
Performace after change over to the Avia Prop at sea leval: Takeoff 500-600 feet; Landing - 500-800 feet; climb 1300-1600 fpm depending on weight.
The following web sites might give you a little more insight into the Avia Prop which is factory installed on the Zlin Z-526 airplane:
http://www.airshowunlimited.com/articles/worldairnews.html
http://www.todayspilot.co.uk/flight_tests/jan03/2p1.html
If you don't have the option to install a CS prop because of the engine crankshaft being solid the AVIA is a great alternative. The best thing about the AVIA prop is when doing loops you never have to touch the throttle. As soon as you come over the top the prop changes and acts as a speed break when coming out and as you roll into the next climb it automatically changes to climb setting. It is hard to believe until you fly behind it.
From take off in the default climb setting to cruise is also automatic. As soon as you pull the nose down for near level flight the prop spinner which has air vanes mounted on it reverses direction and forces a valve in the hub to push oil into another chamber that changes the pitch to cruise. As soon as you retract power and start your approach to landing it again goes into the default climb pitch acting like an air brake, allowing real short field landings.
Does anybody have a Avia CS prop on a 160hp? Are they worth it? Do they shorten your take of roll that much? How much do they cost and where do you get one?
