Is The Airmaster Prop Worth The Extra Money

[ADK-Flyer]

I?ve been contemplating on what prop I would like to get lately for my 912is S7 Super sport build. I always just kind of assumed I would go ground adjustable and have been seriously considering an e-prop. I was quoted $2,300 delivered for a 3 blade e-prop and it was suggested that if I have the clearance to go 75?. I?ve been seeing lately that a lot of people seem to say that the Airmaster constant speed prop is great for the Rotax engines and really maximizes power in all stages of flight. After asking about the Airmaster it seems that I?d be looking at over $12,300 for the kit. Is the Airmaster prop really worth the extra $10,000+? That money could go a long ways towards some nice avionics.

[Kitfox Pilot]

[QUOTE= Is the Airmaster prop really worth the extra $10,000+? That money could go a long ways towards some nice avionics.[/QUOTE]


Worth the money, absolutely not!
but it's on an airplane that you really don't need so.....
Is it nice to fly behind, absolutely.

[ADK-Flyer]

Worth the money, absolutely not!
but it's on an airplane that you really don't need so.....
Is it nice to fly behind, absolutely.

Those are some serious words of wisdom lol. I know I want it but I guess I?ll see if my funds allow it. I?m sure either way I?ll still enjoy myself. Thanks

[bbs428]

I would love the flexibility of a constant speed prop, but I'm not willing to pay the price for it.
Yes, I'm frugal with my $$. Also known as cheap...

The e-prop has caught my attention as well. It seems to have better performance, good hardware and documentation.
It's also made by a well-known, respected co., but in all honesty, looks a bit anemic.

TBH - For the $$, the two blade NR-106 has been a real performer with my Rotax, and it looks good to boot! Downside is crap hardware, no documentation and questionable QA, as Roman is living/working out of a bunker in Kiev.
I bought mine pre-covid from Hal Stockman. I have 300 hrs. on the prop now with no issues. I did upgrade the hardware as soon as I received it.
I plan on replacing it at 1000 hrs. I'm not sure if/when the time for TBO is. I do a careful inspection every 6 mo.

kitfox prop close up.jpg

[ADK-Flyer]

I would love the flexibility of a constant speed prop, but I'm not willing to pay the price for it.
Yes, I'm frugal with my $$. Also known as cheap...

The e-prop has caught my attention as well. It seems to have better performance, good hardware and documentation.
It's also made by a well-known, respected co., but in all honesty, looks a bit anemic.

TBH - For the $$, the two blade NR-106 has been a real performer with my Rotax, and it looks good to boot! Downside is crap hardware, no documentation and questionable QA, as Roman is living/working out of a bunker in Kiev.
I bought mine pre-covid from Hal Stockman. I have 300 hrs. on the prop now with no issues. I did upgrade the hardware as soon as I received it.
I plan on replacing it at 1000 hrs. I'm not sure if/when the time for TBO is. I do a careful inspection every 6 mo.

kitfox prop close up.jpg

I?m really leaning towards the e-prop for a few reasons first is the price for sure the second is every video I?ve watched on them people can?t say enough about how good the performance is and how smooth the are and third I think I have been around aviation long enough to be accustomed to a certain look I guess because I think they look good lol. Who knows my plans change like the wind so I guess I?ll keep researching until I need to make the final decision. Hey Question for ya I see you have the spring gear. What tires are you running and what kind of prop clearance do you have? Do you think you could run a 75? prop with your current setup? Thanks

[bbs428]

I?m really leaning towards the e-prop for a few reasons first is the price for sure the second is every video I?ve watched on them people can?t say enough about how good the performance is and how smooth the are and third I think I have been around aviation long enough to be accustomed to a certain look I guess because I think they look good lol. Who knows my plans change like the wind so I guess I?ll keep researching until I need to make the final decision. Hey Question for ya I see you have the spring gear. What tires are you running and what kind of prop clearance do you have? Do you think you could run a 75? prop with your current setup? Thanks

NR is half the cost of the e-prop. With spinner I paid $1200.00. Call Hal for current prices.

Tires - 8.50x22x6 VSE Aviation Smooth Aero classic Tundra (Desser).
Current prop clearance - more than sufficient, but not sure on exact numbers.
Can I run a 75" prop? No idea tbh.

I'll be going up to Bolivar on Thursday and I'll take some measurements.

I really like the Grove Spring gear. It's built stout and wide enough to provide a lot of stability. It works fine for the flying I do.

Love the 22" tundra tires. They are light at 10lbs. each and pillow soft. So far, I'm happy with the wear. I try to stay on the sod vs the pavement to get more life out of them. I run them tubeless (I have the Beringer wheels) and just smear a little heavy grease on the bead. Holds air fine.

close up of tundra tire.jpg

[Redline]

I just bought an E-Prop but haven't installed it yet. I'll report back when I do. Currently running an 82" Sensenich that honestly has been a great prop, but got curious after reading and watching reviews of the E-Prop. I'd love to go with a constant speed set up at some point.

The E-Prop does look anemic. I honestly started to laugh when I opened the box! Hard to believe they could be good performers, but we'll see.

[ADK-Flyer]

I just bought an E-Prop but haven't installed it yet. I'll report back when I do. Currently running an 82" Sensenich that honestly has been a great prop, but got curious after reading and watching reviews of the E-Prop. I'd love to go with a constant speed set up at some point.

The E-Prop does look anemic. I honestly started to laugh when I opened the box! Hard to believe they could be good performers, but we'll see.

If you think about it report back here when you test it I'm definitely curious. They also have a constant speed version for the Rotax engines on their website called the Glorieuse but I have found anything about them other than the website. I searched around to find a review or a video on Youtube but couldn't find anything. I'm definitely leaning towards e-prop and it was suggested that if I have the clearance a 75" would be the way to go, but It'll be a while before I'll be able to figure that out from my project so I'm keeping my eye out for people with an S7 with spring gear and Desser smooth tundra 22" to see what kind of clearance they have.

[jiott]

I have heard, but could be totally wrong, that the E prop gets its performance advantage by allowing the blades to flex as a function of rpm. This may be why the blades look so anemic. My concern with the E prop would be long term durability with such a flexible blade, rather than a performance advantage with a new prop. I wonder if anyone has experience with these props for 1000+ hours?

[ADK-Flyer]

I have heard, but could be totally wrong, that the E prop gets its performance advantage by allowing the blades to flex as a function of rpm. This may be why the blades look so anemic. My concern with the E prop would be long term durability with such a flexible blade, rather than a performance advantage with a new prop. I wonder if anyone has experience with these props for 1000+ hours?

That is interesting I?m curious about that now as well.