Mailing List flyrotary@lancaironline.net Message #7098
From: Steve Brooks <steve@tsisp.com>
Subject: RE: [FlyRotary] Re: Help Rusty pick a prop
Date: Thu, 8 Apr 2004 07:57:12 -0400
To: 'Rotary motors in aircraft' <flyrotary@lancaironline.net>
Message
Rusty,
That sounds like a good plan.  I think that IVO has one person that is knowledgeable.  The first person that I talked with didn't seem to know much, so I ended up talking with the head guy.  I don't remember his name, but he did at least know what he was talking about, and was pretty familiar with the rotaries, and Cozy's (or maybe just pushers in general).  In fact, he was the one who said that he would include the spacers in case I wanted to go to a 2 blade configuration to increase top speed.
 
There is a significant area in the center that doesn't have much/any pitch.  I'm sure in your RV, it would have been a issue.  I really want the in flight adjustable option, and I don't want to pay $10K for it.  That is what attracted me to the IVO.  I did notice that the price went up by $400 on the electric pitch unit.  I guess I should have bought it when I bought the prop.
 
I spent all day yesterday shooting primer, and then sanding what I primered yesterday.  I spent allot of time under the plane sanding overhead.  I can't tell you how enjoyable that is.  The only good news is that primer definitely is easier to sand than micro.
 
Steve Brooks  (really sick of sanding)
Cozy MKIV 13BT
-----Original Message-----
From: Rotary motors in aircraft [mailto:flyrotary@lancaironline.net]On Behalf Of Russell Duffy
Sent: Wednesday, April 07, 2004 9:47 PM
To: Rotary motors in aircraft
Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: Help Rusty pick a prop

I agree that with the pusher, the air is blocked from the center portion of the prop, so the IVO really doesn't hinder top end speed. It may on the RV.  
 
The IVO Magnum comes with 2 different ranges on the pitch.  I have the high pitch blades which is what they recommend for my plane.  I believe that the pitch range goes from something like 40-45" on the low end, up to something like 105" on the high end of the pitch range.
 
Steve 
 
Hi Steve,
 
I called IVO, and of course they've never heard of such a thing as their props causing drag at high speeds.   Imagine that.  Tracy probably just made that up :-)  Anyway, they didn't really inspire me with confidence that they knew much about props.  Mostly, they work from numbers that they have archived, and give recommendations based on those.  Their best recommendation was for a 3 blade, 68" Magnum, standard pitch prop.  Since I'm planning to run it to 3200+ rpm, they said I don't need the high pitch range.  
 
I took a closer look at my Warp Drive prop (3 blade, 68") today, and find that the hub area should create far less drag than a typical IVO.  Since IVO didn't have any significantly different recommendation from what I already have, I'll probably continue working with the Warp to see what I can get.  In fact, I took 3 degrees out of the pitch today, to get the RPM up. 
 
After thinking more about it, I really can't make any final decisions until I get the wheel pants and gear fairings on.  I may also need to close up the rear of the cowl cheeks, though that might have to wait until I can do some testing in 90-100 degree temps to make sure the lower opening is adequate.  I will also need to send the Warp blades back, so they can taper them.  Only then will I know how they work when they're optimized. 
 
Cheers,
Rusty  (I need more RPM Scotty)
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