Like to hear how anyone using an Airmaster Constant speed prop
can comment on how they like the operation and performance.
David
7SS,912iS.
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Like to hear how anyone using an Airmaster Constant speed prop
can comment on how they like the operation and performance.
David
7SS,912iS.
I haven’t flown mine yet but I was asking the same questions as you. Everyone loves them. They out perform anything else. Maybe Scott, Ross, or Kevin will pipe up shortly.
They are a quality built system, that is easy to use for the pilot and gets all the power from the engine converted to thrust.
The constant speed is awesome and it keeps rpm steady. You can't use the engine noise to tell if you are in a slight climb or dive, the engine/rpms are steady all the time.
I had a 70" 3 blade IVO medium IFA before the Airmaster, it worked well, but you control it with a switch. I have about 30 hrs with the Airmaster 70" 3 blade Whirlwind blades, I couldn't go back to the IVO.
I see a little more cruise speed and slightly more climb than the IVO IFA . I think it is a case of efficiency and blade profile.
If you can manage the price, I think it is "the propeller" for overall general use and the 912 uls.
Never looked into one. How pricey are they?
I think latest price is around $8500 US
Hmmm. The factory recommends two different length props dictated by what kind of flying you aim to do primarily. Cruise vs. STOL type. Curious what prop performance is while using this system on either of the two props. I have a cruise prop. and I would suspect that with my luck it would be recommended I get the STOL length.
The main downside to an Airmaster is weight.
A 3-blade prop of any usable diameter is in the 30 pound range depending on the blades used. That is a lot of weight on the gearbox and on the extreme front of the plane.
As a comparison, my 78" diameter Prince is 8.5 pounds.
My Airmaster early summer purchase, feathering, 3 blade, whirlwind blades, all said, with exchange, wire transfers, regular shipping, duty and taxes = $12 000 CAD :eek:Quote:
Originally Posted by av8rps
At today's exchange rate $12000 CAD = $ 9280 USD
Wow! :eek:
I could almost buy FIVE of my Prince props and TEN Luga props for that. No performance advantage is worth that, IMO.
Yes it weighs quite a bit.
It does give the most efficient use of the engine's power through all phases of flight.
I chose it for the kind of flying I do, I want full power at take off and a high rate of climb and the best cruise speed I can get, when I want it. It does it.
We are a dealer for AirMaster..
75" slightly better STOL if that is primary...
70" does an awesome job Eddie so not to worry.
Approx $8300 for the 70" delivered.
Have used both lengths... the weight is about 23-25.. which usually means about 10 lbs heavier then a group adjust.
Easy to operate and works well..
You simply cannot beat a CS prop for overall performance.
It will depend on engine choice and flight mission.
$8300 is a bit much but actually cheap when pricing CS props.
The 3 blade MT is $11k and the hydraulic governor is 2-3k.
All right John, now you've done it. That is so tempting. Think I will try this thing out the way it is and compare it to Paul's airplane at S&R.
Custom Flight Creations has a pretty good article online about blade length selection for Airmaster CS props on Rotax 4-strokes. The tldr is that if STOL is really important to you, 75" is a good length, but that 68-70" is ideal for all-around performance. Seems consistent with John's comments.