Props, Props and more Props

I’ve seen many ground clearance numbers. I would say a minimum would be  8” -10” or more. You don’t want a prop strike just because you have a flat tire so this measurement could be different with different aircraft and you need to check your own aircraft.
I know four owners that have installed an EProp. They all said they get almost 5700 on roll out on take off. About 300’ a minute better climb. The prop rpm at WOT in level flight seems to be around 5550. I have heard this is what EProp prefers for max rpm. All four seem to like the prop.

i personally don’t have any real time experience with the EProp so these reports are all second hand.

This discussion on props is very informative. What are the advantages and disadvantages of wood props? I am close to purchasing a LSA with a 3 blade ground adjustable on a 912ULS.

Thanks 

My experience is that there is little difference for general use. However for back country strips river beds etc we find the carbon props more  tolerant of abuse and lees likely to leave you stranded up a  creek without and air paddle.

Some wood props look fantastic and there is a theory that they are easier on the engine but not sure i would agree

Hi,

I have had a significant propellor issue with my Evektor Sportstar.  Only two propellors have been certified.  A Whirlwind and Woodcomp SR200. Whirlwinds are very hard to get in Australia even though there are two dealers.  Very unresponsive.  Took two weeks to get a quote and a week later I still can't get an invoice to pay!

Anyway on topic.  I had an SR200 Woodcomp on and it did 1100 hours but ran out of calendar so being happy with the propellor placed an order for a new one.  I was dismayed to see they are now only good for 300 hours!  As I already had it I had it fitted and balanced by a highly reputable LAME.  I immediately detected a difference in resonance.  Was always at 5050 RPM quite light and was a very narrow ban.  Now it was at 5100 and went to 5200 RPM.  About VY RPM.  I had the propellor checked and all was well. I hire my plane to a flight instructor and he never detected anything different, although I fly the plane more.  However also during this period, my A/H instrument collapsed.  This might sound strange but I could more acutely detect the resonance by placing my finger on my Ipad screen attached to the dash. It was smooth with no vibration until it went through the band and then disappeared at cruise about 5300RPM. It seemed to be a resonance and not a vibration as such.

About 50 hours in a leak developed see Pic 1:  The leak was never quite as bad as this one but after say 4-hour flight there would be about half the amount shown.  At times there was none.   The plane went in for 100 hourly and the propellor was to be rechecked.  During the service, the filter was cut open and aluminum was found.  The engine was sent to Rotax in Australia and when it pulled down the crankcases had fretted.

See attached photos.  The engine had to be replaced and had only done 1170 hours.  The motor was manufactured in 2007 and was in a 2007 model Sportstar Plus.  The engine has a check for metal every service and metals have never been detected and compression etc were all excellent.

My question is has anyone else experienced this?  I guess I am very concerned about the propellor so even though it has 200 hours left I am trying to replace it with a Whirlwind. I obviously don't want a repeat. I cannot get any answers from the manufacturer or from the dealer as to why the propellors had hours reduced.  I can only think of quality issues. My understanding is Whirlwind propellors are good and actually shouldn't have to be changed in the life of the engine.  

Any thoughts would be appreciated regarding Whirlwind propellors and would be interested on others experiences with SR 200. 

Thanks

2006 -2007 912 engines had some fretting issues. I have seen and heard of several. It wasn't your props fault. When the engine starts fretting it will eventually need replacement. If the engine has been fretting  for a while then when you turn the engine off and while it's still hot many times you can barely turn the prop, but when it's a cold engine it turns and feels fairly normal.

p.s.

One questions owners should always ask themselves when they've had an issue is "Did I do something that led to this issue"? Many times modifications aren't all they're cracked up to be.