Group,Anybody have an opinion on a wood versus metal prop for an S1S installation?
I have heard that is smoother, quieter, soaks up vibration, reduces loads on the engine/airframe, less likely to damage the engine in case of prop strike, lets the a/c turn quicker because of less gyroscopic effect, spins up quicker due to less mass to accelerate, makes snaps easier and all sorts of other benefits, real or imagined.
Of course the negatives are that they are not quite as efficent and require more maintenance. (checking torque)
Can anybody comment with respect to pluses or minuses and their real world experience? I currently have a metal Sensenich and am seriously considering a Performance Propeller wood 2 bladed.
Gus
Hey Gus,
Maybe Clark from Performance told you I just got one of his props. I'm sold. My airplane was nose heavy so going from the 33 lb. sensenich to the 13 lb. performance wood prop put my CG right where I wanted it. Now the airplane does snap and spin much easier because of the rearward CG. I can also now sustain knife edge flight, impossible before. The prop is extremely smooth and it really does govern the RPM on the downline. I also wanted it because I wanted to start doing more snaps, and I also am interested in trying some torque rolls and tumbles. That metal sensenich would have been heck on the crank trying that stuff. He made me more of a climb prop than my metal one was so I'm turning a higher RPM in cruise with the same manifold pressure and I lost a couple MPH but my vertical performance is MUCH better. It also picks up speed faster when I point the nose down to gain speed for the maneuvers. If you can afford the CG change I would definitely recommend one of Clarks props. P.S. I re-torqued my prop this morning and total time to remove the spinner, cut the safety wire, re-torque , and replace it all took all of aboout 15-20 min. Well worth the trade offs for me.
Kendal Simpson
www.littletootaerobatics.com