REFLECTOR: Ivo and Vesta

[Michael Watson]

I've been running a IVO Magnum Electric Constant speed prop on a
Franklin (Std Elite RG) for ten years plus. Sent back twice for check up
and refreshing. They are tough as nails, handles FOD well and as long
as Ivo's maintenance instructions are followed,  seems to last thousands
of hours.

On Thu, Apr 23, 2009 at 8:27 AM, Andy Millin <amillin at sbcglobal.net> wrote:

>  Hey Larry,
>
>
>
> Believe it or not, I did a fair amount of research on the Ivo.  I wanted to
> use the Ivo.  I gave the guy a call and we spoke for nearly an hour.
>
>
>
> Way back in the day Mark Machado had mounted an Ivo on a standard with an
> IO-360.  He was VERY impressed with the performance.   I believe the write
> up was in Velocity Views.  It sounded like it was going to be better than
> sliced bread AND peanut butter.  It is a real performer, great price, etc.
>
>
>
> Ivo’s blades are very light.  The prop is amazingly light.  This is a
> blessing and a curse.  The prop does not have enough mass to absorb the
> significant torque thrashing a big bore aircraft engine produces.  In his
> own words “you could see the prop was just being tortured.”  At low RPM it
> was possible to see the blades flexing length wise as the amazing shear
> forces were hitting the base.
>
>
>
> The blades are tough and as far as I know they never failed.  What did
> happen was the blades would shift at the base.  They would work their way
> free from the bolts.  Ivo compensated with a very specific torquing regimen
> combined with stainless steel foil marking tape on the seams.  I believe
> this worked.  However … not all users of the prop were as vigilant or
> patient as they needed to be.
>
>
>
> I believe Ivo called for torque the bolts, run the engine, re-torque the
> bolts, re-run the engine, repeat until the torque does not change between
> cycles.
>
>
>
> In 1997, Mark Ewart and his family were killed  (Standard Velocity
> DMO-266).  Please read the report yourself: http://tinyurl.com/dhok3m   It
> was RELATED to the Ivo.  The detail related to the Prop is on the second
> page.  Reading the whole report is better.
>
>
>
> In the end Ivo decided to stop fighting with big bore aircraft engines and
> their violent torque curves.  His props really can withstand 750 HP, you
> just have to have a relatively smooth power curve.  Ivo has been a very good
> option for guys like Chris Barber running a rotary with reduction unit.
> Smooth.
>
>
>
> It works on the Franklin as a 6 cylinder 360 has smoother power curve than
> 4 cylinder 360.
>
>
>
> As for the Vesta.  If you want to read back in the Archives, I was one of
> the first, possibly even the first from the Velocity community to speak with
> Jason Day.  Jason is a very nice guy.  I had acted as a bit of a liaison to
> get him to work with Velocity to develop a prop for us and have Velocity
> test the thing.
>
>
>
> A major portion of Jason’s business is automotive conversions for
> aircraft.  His props have been running by-and-large on automotive engines
> with reduction units on them – read smooth power curve.
>
>
>
> Jason’s stuff looks great.  I believe he has the background and skills to
> make a great prop.  Problem is, he didn’t have ANY experience with our prop
> running on an aircraft engine.  Velocity wanted to help, but were unwilling
> to risk Turbo Charlie $200K+ aircraft and a pilot on a completely untested
> prop.
>
>
>
> Velocity suggested that Jason give the prop to testers in the Airboat
> industry and let them beat on it for a year.  I don’t believe Jason was
> willing and I’m pretty sure this has never been done.
>
>
>
> Bob Buls owns one of Jason’s props.  Bob is also going to run it with one
> of Jason’s automotive conversions.
>
>
>
> Dave Dent has a prop and has been working with Jason on it.  I sincerely
> wish Dave the best of luck on his flight testing and am eager to hear his
> findings.  This could be a great new option for us.
>
>
>
> The other concern on the Vesta is the weight.  It is a heavy prop.  I
> believe it might weigh 50 to 100% more than the MT or Aero Composite.
>
>
>
> Please form your own opinions based on your own direct research.  For my
> soft pink body, I’ll wait for someone else to strap one on and hit the wild
> blue.
>
>
>
> Andy
>
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-- 
Mike W.
1997 Velocity Elite RG
Franklin /IVO Electric CS
Dual GRT EFIS Synthetic Vision
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