I cannot speak from personal experience but having worked for a manufacturer
of leading edge abrasion strips for ten years I can offer a relevant
comment. In the case of composite propeller blades and rotor blades the
industry (with one notable exception, Robinson) use electroformed nickel on
the leading edge to protect against both rain and solids that would
otherwise damage the leading edge. Other materials are better for either
rain or solids but nickel is a superior compromise because it protects
against damage from both.
In commercial or military service composite blades require leading edge
protection of some sort and if not nickel then stainless steel (Robinson) is
used. Obviously our Europas will not be flown regularly in rain but any
flown often from dirt strips should be equipped with leading edge protection
on composite (or wood) blades.
Best regards,
Rob Housman
Irvine, CA
Europa XS Tri-Gear
A070
Airframe complete
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of craig bastin
Sent: Wednesday, June 09, 2010 1:01 AM
Subject: RE: Europa-List: Propeller - Flying in rain
Heavy rain can (apparently, have heard this from several sources) erode the
leading edge of some props, in much the same way as sand can
which makes sense if you think about the water jet machining done these
days, mind you i wonder how long it would take to see any sort of
meaningful wear.
If anyone has any firsthand experience with this i am sure the group would
love to hear about it.
craig
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com]On Behalf Of Sidsel & Svein
Johnsen
Sent: Wednesday, June 09, 2010 3:44 PM
Subject: Europa-List: Propeller - Flying in rain
Karl,
Can you please elaborate on what you say at the end of your response to my
question about flying in rain with air intake on top of cowling:
I have flown in the rain with the standard setup, while returning from
Oshkosh. I didn't notice any problems. But normally I try to avoid it,
because it isn't good for the propeller.
Regards
Svein
href="http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Europa-List";>http://www.matronhref
"http://forums.matronics.com";>http://forums.matronics.com
href="http://www.matronics.com/contribution";>http://www.matronics.com/c
|