John Cliff informed me that my posts on Proplink bounced, so I shall
reconstitute my post from memory:
Proplink is a very new company that showed a new mechanical VP prop hub
at Oshkosh 2000.
(thanks to the poster who - now nameless - first mentioned this on this
BB). I e-mailed Brad Dement of Proplink after perusing their website at
http://proplink.org
This hub is a purely mechanical VP design that accepts either Powerfin
or Warp Drive blades and is designed for a Rotax 914 at max. The prop
pitch is directly controlled by a lever on the throttle quadrant. The
design allows for full feathering, although the standard quadrant limits
blade angle to normal CS. A feathering quadrant is being considered by
the mfr. The hub is a three-blade design, with a two-blade in the
works. The 3-blade hub weighs 13lbs, for an all-up weight including
blades of between 18-20 lbs depending on supplier. A weight reduction
program is being followed. The cost of the hub is $2850.
This is an interesting alternative for Europa builders who want a
variable pitch prop, especially motorglider builders who need a
feathering prop, but would prefer a lighter installation than the MT
(37?lbs) or the Airmaster (28lbs) and are willing to give up a CS mode.
For those who need only a CS prop, the Whirlwind still stacks up as the
lightest available, at appx. 12 lbs all up including hydraulic governor.
It is only a two blade design. Indeed, if Whirlwind were to ever offer
a 3-blade design, it would still be the lightest...
The Proplink's $1100 price advantage over the Airmaster, and $1500
advantage over the Whirlwind, should be noted.
For your consideration...
Shaun Simpkins
A207
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