REFLECTOR: Reflector Digest, Vol 51, Issue 18 - Aerocomposite prop problem resolved

steve korney s_korney at hotmail.com
Wed Aug 6 20:21:13 CDT 2008


Well, the chief engineer had to say something.... Sounds a little fishy to me.... Unless their machining a tolerance less then 2/10ths, I don't think so... If that were the case it probably wouldn't work well at different altitudes or temperatures either... What happens when the engine  warms up and the prop gets hot....? 

Best... Steve

> From: anriley at comcast.net
> To: reflector at tvbf.org
> Date: Wed, 6 Aug 2008 21:06:36 -0400
> Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Reflector Digest, Vol 51,	Issue 18 - Aerocomposite prop problem resolved
> 
> I arrived at the Velocity dinner at Oshkosh and was immediately told by a
> number of people that there had been a number of incidents in which an
> Aerocomposite prop had frozen in one pitch. You may recall that Rene' Dugas
> had experienced the problem on a very hot ramp. John Youngblood had the
> problem while in flight shortly before Oshkosh. 
> 
> Having just spent $16,000 on one of these props, I decided they would either
> confirm for me (credibly) that the problem was resolved before mine was
> shipped to me or I would return it. 
> 
> I spoke with the chief engineer at Aerocomposite. It turns out that the
> polyurethane ring on the hubs of the blades is manufactured in a room at
> their facility that is not climate controlled. The coefficient of expansion
> for the polyurethane is different than that of the metal in the hubs, which
> are machined to very close tolerances. Therefore, if you got a prop with
> poly rings that were machined on a very cold day and you live in a hot
> climate, you could have a problem with jamming. 
> 
> Their fix was to come up with a chart in the room in which the polyurethane
> rings are machined. The settings on the machine are adjusted to correct for
> any non-standard temperature by machining the rings smaller in cold weather
> etc. They assured me that this is the reason for the problem and that it has
> been resolved. 
> 
> I just thought some of those who had used or were considering using the prop
> might want to know.
> 
> Mark
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On
> Behalf Of reflector-request at tvbf.org
> Sent: Wednesday, August 06, 2008 8:36 AM
> To: reflector at tvbf.org
> Subject: Reflector Digest, Vol 51, Issue 18
> 
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> 
> Today's Topics:
> 
>    1. Re:  Emailing: Vesta Prop (David Bertram)
>    2. Re:  Investigation into Engine Failure (Al Gietzen)
>    3. Re:  Investigation into Engine Failure (Alex Balic)
> 
> 
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> Message: 1
> Date: Tue, 5 Aug 2008 10:37:50 -0500 (Central Daylight Time)
> From: "David Bertram" <n350tx at tx.rr.com>
> Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Emailing: Vesta Prop
> To: <reflector at tvbf.org>
> Message-ID: <489873CE.000001.00276 at UPSTAIRS>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
> 
> I have over 120hrs on my MT electric.  I love the prop especially since I
> have had no problems.  I find the electric responsive and easy to use.  
> Dave Bertram
> N350TX 
>  
> -------Original Message-------
>  
> From: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list
> Date: 08/03/08 19:52:48
> To: 'Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list'
> Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Emailing: Vesta Prop
>  
> Hi Dave-
> I never was really comfortable with the entire MT way of doing business -
> from the price to the blade quality to the lag screw attachment, to the
> damage history- to the ?send the prop to Germany to get that ding fixed?
> procedure of theirs.  I was looking at the aero composites- they look good,
> but even more pricy than MT if that is even possible- I have provisions for
> a prop governor on my PSRU, but would sure like to just go electric- as long
> as it is responsive- I have heard that the MT is too slow to keep up with
> the engine during power-up.   I will be contacting Vesta tomorrow to get a
> spec on a prop for mine- has a little over 300 hp , and the beta would be
> nice for short runways too- might help the Matco?s stop my plane if you know
> what I mean??.
> Thanks for taking the first step for all of us- I hope that the prop works
> flawlessly for you- still did not hear the Aero Composite story, would like
> to find out what happened to it, although I am probably too cheap to ever
> drop that much money on a prop anyway.
>  
> Alex
>  
> 
> 
> 
> From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On
> Behalf Of davedent at comcast.net
> Sent: Saturday, August 02, 2008 10:37 PM
> To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list
> Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Emailing: Vesta Prop
>  
> Alex, mine is the VP-3 prop. It's a 78" because I have the Lyc. 260hp engine
>   If you go to  http://www.vestav8.com/Propellers.htm there is a picture of
> my prop.  I have the hydraulic governor type control. He does make the
> electric as well. I recommend the electric because it can go into bata for
> short runways and it is very responsive.  I was already set up for hydraulic
> so I stayed with it. But you don't have the governor installed or  bought
> you may want to consider going electric.  
> The numbers are much like the MT so I wouldn't go the MT way just on the
> cost and availability.  Also they are made in the U.S. 
> Dave
>  
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> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 2
> Date: Tue, 5 Aug 2008 21:59:29 -0800
> From: "Al Gietzen" <ALVentures at cox.net>
> Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Investigation into Engine Failure
> To: "'Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list'"
> 	<reflector at tvbf.org>
> Message-ID: <000001c8f789$9722ce40$6401a8c0 at BigAl>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
> 
> I do worry about my radiator capacity- I have a properly sized belly ram
> scoop, but the radiator is single row (supposedly for racing) and although
> it has good size, it is rather thin- about 1.5" but might just work fine.
> 
> Alex;
> 
>  
> 
> 'Thin' is fine, if you can fit in adequate core volume.  With effective air
> flow, it typically takes 2-2.5 cu. in. per hp.  With a pusher an auxiliary
> fan is generally required for effective cooling on the ground.
> 
>  
> 
> BTW; I have the RWS (Tracy) EC2 on my 3-rotor rotary - which I believe is
> basically the same unit he sells for a 6-cylinder.  I had one of the early
> units, and had some headaches of being the beta tester.  It has evolved
> quite a bit since, and has been operating fine. Mine has 125 hours on it
> now.  
> 
>  
> 
> Best of luck,
> 
>  
> 
> Al
> 
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> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 3
> Date: Wed, 06 Aug 2008 07:35:56 -0500
> From: "Alex Balic" <velocity_pilot at verizon.net>
> Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Investigation into Engine Failure
> To: "'Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list'"
> 	<reflector at tvbf.org>
> Message-ID: <0K5600CPOJ00AKL8 at vms046.mailsrvcs.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
> 
> Hi Al-
>  
> I do have a big fan on there for ground cooling- similar to what Dave
> Bertram is running on his.  I have the newest version of Tracy's unit-
> called the EC3- it is the same unit that runs the rotaries, with some
> program changes. I will be working diligently to get it up and running- I
> have an engine monitor from Ed Anderson- nice little unit that mounts in a
> small round panel cutout- it is also set up for rotary use (injector staging
> ect) but will work well for me since it has fuel flow/use/ rpm. and mixture
> displays for me.  I will get a new video up as soon as I am running again.-
> I had to pull my old wiring harness out, make a new one, and install the
> LS-1 coils onto aluminum mounting plates that I had to fabricate- lots of
> fun........... :)
>  
> Alex
> 
>   _____  
> 
> From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On
> Behalf Of Al Gietzen
> Sent: Wednesday, August 06, 2008 12:59 AM
> To: 'Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list'
> Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Investigation into Engine Failure
> 
> 
> 
> I do worry about my radiator capacity- I have a properly sized belly ram
> scoop, but the radiator is single row (supposedly for racing) and although
> it has good size, it is rather thin- about 1.5" but might just work fine.
> 
> Alex;
> 
>  
> 
> 'Thin' is fine, if you can fit in adequate core volume.  With effective air
> flow, it typically takes 2-2.5 cu. in. per hp.  With a pusher an auxiliary
> fan is generally required for effective cooling on the ground.
> 
>  
> 
> BTW; I have the RWS (Tracy) EC2 on my 3-rotor rotary - which I believe is
> basically the same unit he sells for a 6-cylinder.  I had one of the early
> units, and had some headaches of being the beta tester.  It has evolved
> quite a bit since, and has been operating fine. Mine has 125 hours on it
> now.  
> 
>  
> 
> Best of luck,
> 
>  
> 
> Al
> 
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> ------------------------------
> 
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