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Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2005 20:30:10 -0500
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From: "Lorn H. Olsen" <lorn@dynacomm.ws>
Subject: Re: aero compisites props

Eric,

I have been flying the Aero Composites (AC) prop for about 2 years now. 
I have always been impressed by the leading edge. Every Hartzell that I 
have had and most other props that I have seen have had nicks in the 
leading edge. After more than 250 hours of flying, my AC prop leading 
edge is as smooth as silk. Not one scratch. I am impressed. The Nickel 
leading edge must work.

As far as performance goes, that takes much more to evaluate. I have 
waited for 2 years to make a judgment. You have to either fly in both 
cold and hot weather and many other conditions in order to determine if 
performance has been changed or fly next to someone with a similar 
aircraft immediately before and after the change to determine exactly 
what has happened. After 2 years of flying with the AC prop, I believe 
that the AC prop has added between 5 and 7 knots to my aircraft speed.

AC has always claimed that because of the small "flaps" on the inboard 
trailing edge of the prop that the climb would be one of the props best 
features. I have no way of evaluating the before and after climb 
performance other than to say it sure seems like it climbs like hell.

My plane, which is not any cleaner than any other O-320, came in in 1st 
place in the 2004 Redmond 100 race. In 2004 at Sun-N-Fun, I flew 5 
miles off course and came in 2nd in a field of 8 or 9 planes. OK, OK... 
Bill Harrelson came in first. My plane weights 1,180 lbs empty and for 
both races I carried camping equipment and additional, unnecessary fuel 
totaling more that 240 lbs. My race weight was 1,710 lbs. Had I needed 
to go faster, I could have safely taken the weight down to 1,470 lbs. I 
attribute the speed to 3 factors. In order of relevancy they are: 1) 
the AC prop, 2) A good pre-race wax job and 3) platinum plugs.

If you decide to get the AC prop, make sure to take note of the fact 
that it is 17 lbs lighter than the Hartzell.

Matt Hapgood <hapgoodm94@alum.darden.edu> also has one to these props 
flying. I believe that he has an IO-360.

Where are you located and what is your telephone number. If you have 
any other questions, feel free to call or eMail.

Sincerely,
Lorn H. Olsen

> Hi. Is any one using a Aero Composites prop and if so your impressions 
> of this unit. Good? bad? Let me know .
> Thanks
> Eric 360
--
Lorn H. 'Feathers' Olsen, MAA, DynaComm, Corp.
248-345-0500, mailto:lorn@dynacomm.ws
LNC2, O-320-D1F, 1,000 hrs, N31161, Y47, SE Michigan