Automatic variable pitch props

Hello Jeffrey

The FAA does not allow any inflight adjusting props in Light Sport currently.  In a few years perhaps, once the new rules are final.

Cheers

The good news is that there are many good props and prop controllers made and used outside the US. Therefore if the rules are changed there will be instantly good options available.

My personal favorite one is Airmaster

https://www.propellor.com/

Their system allows you to use different props with their hubs and an idiot proof controller.

Glenn Martin wrote:

The good news is that there are many good props and prop controllers made and used outside the US. Therefore if the rules are changed there will be instantly good options available.

My personal favorite one is Airmaster

https://www.propellor.com/

Their system allows you to use different props with their hubs and an idiot proof controller.

I have an Airmaster/Whirlwind fitted to my Sonex/Rotax 912ULS - it works very well indeed.

Perhaps not as "idiot proof" as you claim - I was trained on GA hydraulic constant speed (CS) and still find the 3 stage (TO/Climb/Cruise) of the Airmaster selection, to be a tad disquieting - Yes I know I can switch to the Manual mode & operate it like a hydraulic CS and I often do (to fine tune the setting for a particular stage of flight).

Down side of the Airmaster is weight & cost - my 3 blade is approaching 12 kg on the nose & is now in the region of $14,K Au.

EProp claim to have a CS that weighs about 1/2 of the Airmaster - no experience.

Some of the inflight adjustables & hydraulic (for Rotax) CS also claim lighter weights - no experience.

I would not fit a CS again - its very nice but the performance gains on a light aircraft, like the Sonex , are hard to justify from a cost/benefit point of view.

DUC Hélices also offer all carbon fiber CS props, in both electric-over-hydraulic (controller similar to the Airmaster) or pure hydraulic (blue push-pull knob).  I have the pure hydraulic 72" 3-blade FLASHBLACK-M.  I haven't installed or flown it yet, but my best estimate is that the total installed weight, with governor and control cable, will be in the neighborhood of 21 lbs (9.5 kg).  Quality of the parts I received appears excellent.

European website: http://www.duc-helices.com/

USA website: http://www.duc-propellers-usa.com/

Hi Eric,

To the best of my knowledge Airmaster do not make an electric over hydraulic CS prop - they are all full electric.