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Re: Europa-List: Constant Speed Props, etc.

Subject: Re: Europa-List: Constant Speed Props, etc.
From: Fred Klein <fklein@orcasonline.com>
Date: Fri, 20 Mar 2009 18:12:56

On Mar 20, 2009, at 2:00 PM, Paul McAllister wrote:

> I am not an aerodynamicst, not even an amature one but I was  
> wondering why you didn't think the  Kiev blades will be much of an  
> improvement over the Warp Drive blades.

Bud,

I too was surprised at your apparent skepticism as to whether those  
Kiev blades may offer improvement over the current WD blades in the  
Airmaster hub.

I had several long emails w/ Martin on the subject...perhaps 2 years  
ago...and my recollection is that he was quite candid about the WD  
blades being less than optimal given the flight envelope and length  
limitations of the blades for the Europa.  My understanding is that  
the WD blade stock is much longer, and when cut down to length  
required, they lose much of their twist...to such an extent I've read  
that the inner portions of the blades create negative thrust under  
certain conditions. I've speculated that the relative lack of twist  
may be a factor in engine cooling...just speculation, I have, of  
course, no direct experience.

Assuming that the "432" references a new hub, I hope it's available  
with other than a Rotax flange.

Fred



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