Interesting - Observation
I am shopping for a new 3-blade for my 0-320 (150HP). For the money Whirlwind and Aerotek stand out. Any comments, recommendations? I can't find many reviews for Aerotek, anybody have experience with Aerotek props? Thanks.
What airplane do you have? Can your O320 take a hyd constant speed prop? What prop do you have now?
I assuem you have hyd hollow crank or are you thinking elec c/s? I'm not a fan of the latter but its a necessary evil for some. The MT would be my choice if I had to go with elec c/s prop. If you have a solid crank than why not go fixed prop? Why three blades? If I was going fixed, I like the Sensenich. Hyd c/s the hartzell.
This may be an option for you if you have solid crank: Check this thread out and post #10.
http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=25292&highlight=avia
Avia makes a prop that varies prop angle by aerodynamics. With control fins or vains on the spinner, plus RPM, the prop automatically adjusts the blade angle. It's very clever. It is not really consant speed or fixed. I know little about it. It is interesting and there is some feed back above. I remember seeing them in the Oshkosh vendor's area a long time ago, over 10 years. I thought it was a cool idea. Russ Daves of Lubbock, TX, says he would do it again, it was a step up from the fixed pitch he had. We are talking two blades of course.
Some observations and comments from the Aerotek web site Randy posted above:
Price is not that cheap?
Where are they from? (New Zeland)
references/feedback from customers?
There is a lot of blade root sticking out past the spinner.
They compare them self to Airmaster a lot:
http://www.propellor.com/wa.asp?idWebPage=3672
(I gather this is variable pitch or elect c/s?)
Couple of negatives or observations. You are US based? Dealing with New Zealand has some drawbacks, right. Also props that are often scaled up for small engines like Rotax tend to have issues on Lycs. Ivo props where OK on ultra lights and small engines, less than 100 hp, but when scaled up to the Lyc, issues arose. The LYC has a hard hitting power pulse that many small engines don't. The prop needs to be very robust.
What about fixed pitch prop? If you don't have hyd c/s prop ability, would you consider fixed pitch? The fixed will give near the same overall performance and cost way less. Just a thought. There is nothing wrong with fixed pitch. They tend to be lighter, cheaper and almost no maintence or issues. Many of the fixed prop makers Bernie Warnke and Catto to name two make three blade props. If you have a RV, Sensenich is very good. If you have another type plane there are many fixed wood or wood/glass prop makers like Catto, Warnke, Prince, Aymar-DeMuth, Sterba, Felix, Pacesetter, Props Inc., Warp Drive.
I am not selling anything, but look at McCauley and Hartzell historically. McCauley in business since 1938 and Hartzell built its first prop in 1917. Over the 70 or 90 years, some of their prop models ended up developing problems after being in service for many years, so AD's, mods and redesigns where needed. They learned and evolved; their new props are very well understood, benefiting from lots of refinement and certification on Lycs. Hartzell of couse is courting the RV community, making props just for our plane and even other kit planes like Lancair and Rockets (HRII, F1).
A new prop company is making you R&D, the test pilot. Even real nice props like the Whirlwind had some issues customers found after being in service. No offense to the small prop companies, but a Lyc is a real aircraft engine and should probably have something robust and substantial prop attached to it. A fixed prop is a low risk option and will cost you many thousands less. Also dealing with a prop company half way around the world is also a challenge. Just a caution is all. Shipping cost might be a drag.
My opinion if you can't go with a real hydraulic constant speed prop (Hartzell, Whirlwind, MT..... etc) than get a fixed prop. The "in-between" electric props and ground adjustable props seem complicated for little gain, in my opinion. Sometimes its needed for special applications, but for most, a fixed prop is going to be good enough if Hyd constant speed props are possible or practical.
PS: Why 3 blades? Really there is little gain and I don't buy a three blade is way smoother or a two blade can not be balanced. Sure there might be some small difference but not as great as some might lead you to believe.