Return-Path: Received: from oeint_laf1.laf.oceanenergy.com ([206.97.189.62]) by truman.olsusa.com (Post.Office MTA v3.5.1 release 219 ID# 0-52269U2500L250S0V35) with ESMTP id com for ; Thu, 15 Jul 1999 13:57:22 -0400 Received: by OEINT_LAF1 with Internet Mail Service (5.5.2448.0) id <3844CY3R>; Thu, 15 Jul 1999 13:01:08 -0500 Message-ID: <186ED3F9DB0AD311A34B00A02462185817BF76@OEINT_LAF1> From: "Westphal, D. (Dana)" To: "'lancair.list@olsusa.com'" Subject: Re: Alternative Props Date: Thu, 15 Jul 1999 13:00:58 -0500 X-Mailing-List: lancair.list@olsusa.com Mime-Version: 1.0 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> << Lancair Builders' Mail List >> <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >> My brother was shooting "touch & goes" in a spam can and had a prop blade break when throttling up for liftoff. Luckily, he was not yet airborne at the time and was able to safely coast off the runway after immediately shutting down the engine. Even though the time between prop failure and engine shut down was short, it was still enough time for the severe engine vibration to fail the engine mounts causing the engine to "slump". If airborne, the engine most likely would have departed the aircraft and would have been catastrophic due to the significant CG shift, etc (a vision of a falling leaf comes to mind ...). Thus, I agree with Ed's comments about prop choices/considerations and would prefer not to be a test pilot for new brands and designs. There are too many other things to worry about in these experimental birds. I will spend the extra cheese for a good, proven prop brand/design and do without some of the other "bells and whistles". Dana Westphal (360 MKII) ("don't fly like my brother" Sorry Fred, I couldn't resist. Actually, my brother is a better pilot than I ...) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> LML homepage: http://www.olsusa.com/Users/Mkaye/maillist.html