IVO InFlight Adjustable

[wannafly]

I have the IVO Medium. Have about 300 hrs on and it works great. But I am thinking of trimming it back a bit. For those who have trimmed there prop, what did you use to trim it? I'm still at 72" but is just a bit much. I think I will start at 1/2 inch off.

[Norm]

From the IVO website it says to use a hacksaw.
• If you wish to increase top speed or decrease cruise RPM, switch to a 2-blade prop or
cut the 3-blade prop to smaller diameter using a hack saw. As long as you cut the same
length piece from each blade, the prop will remain in balance.


I would be careful about trimming the ends if you are getting good rpm cause I know you want to do more sandbar landings. A longer prop usually gives more pull and better climb.

[kitfox2009]

Hi guys
I have over 400 hours now on a 70 inch IVO IFA Ultralight prop with a 912 UL on my Vixen.
Have no problem getting full RPM on takeoff and could also "overload the engine" with excessive pitch on cruise if you wanted to. I think it is a good idea to have a manifold pressure gauge with the in flight props.
I would be careful trimming the tips with the chance of unbalancing the prop.
They are pretty smooth. Be a shame to bugger it up.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Don

[Norm]

Hi Don
Had a good Turkey today. I hope your Thanksgiving was great.
What RPM do you get on takeoff. It looks like you have the high pitch prop looking at your photo albums so I am curious.
Norm

[kitfox2009]

Hi Norm
Not sure about about the pitch. The model is a UR370+PE KFOX /912/80.
I told IVO the aircraft and engine type and this is what was recommended.
I get 5800 on takeoff and start putting a bit of pitch in through climb out to maintain 5500 or so. I usually cruise at 52 to 5400 if I want to get somewhere . Hardly ever run it under 5000 unless in the circuit.
When are you in the air?
Cheers
Don

[Norm]

I hope I can get those numbers out of my Fox. It will be a long time before I get my Model IV in the air, but I fly the Buzzard weekly. Probably why the fox is taking a long time to get going. Did you make it to this way this year?
Norm

[av8rps]

I'm glad to hear of success with the 70 inch. I think that just might be the best compromise overall. However, as stated, if I had a 72 inch I'd try that before cutting it down.

When I had to cut my blades down (due to water erosion when I tried the plastic prop-guard) I measured as accurate as I could, and then when done I weighed them with a really accurate scale, which told me I had to sand some off one blade yet (not even measurable however). My new cut down blades run really smooth doing it that way. So that would be my recommendation if you decide to cut your blades down later.

It's ironic how different we all operate our planes that are so similar, but apparently yet so different. I commonly will fly my 912ul around under 5,000 rpm, as it operates so smooth in the 4600-5000 range. And with full pitch and only 4800 rpm I easily cruise around at 105 mph with still probably an inch and a half of throttle available (and remember, I'm on 230 lb amphib floats). At 5200-5400 I feel like the engine is not as smooth. Oh, and for anyone wondering, I have verified both my ASI accuracy multiple times, as well as my tachometer accuracy. So these are real numbers.

I would love to see how my plane would do with an IVO prop and a big bore 912 putting out 110+ hp. I think that would be really SWEEEET!!

Has anyone out there flown a model 4 with the 100 hp 912 and the IVO IFA? If so I'm curious what performance you are seeing.

[raffdhc6]

Hi Norm
Not sure about about the pitch. The model is a UR370+PE KFOX /912/80.
I told IVO the aircraft and engine type and this is what was recommended.
I get 5800 on takeoff and start putting a bit of pitch in through climb out to maintain 5500 or so. I usually cruise at 52 to 5400 if I want to get somewhere . Hardly ever run it under 5000 unless in the circuit.
When are you in the air?
Cheers
Don

Hi Don, I own a Kitfox 5 outback rotax 912 ul with a CSG 68 prop. I have 2 Ivoprop light - 1 is standard and the other Patriot (thinner) 1 blades is 34 iches. What is the blade you are using? What is your cruise speed at 75% power. Cheers Raff

[kitfox2009]

G`morning Raff
When I bought my Vixen it came with a 68 inch GSC. I never did fool around with the pitch but if I remember correctly it flew at MAX high 90`s MPH at about 5500 RPM at 2500 ASL.

I changed to a 70 inch IVO IFA on the recommendation of many folks on this forum. I elected to go with the Ultralite model as my 912UL is a mid 90`s version and may have a lighter drive than later engines. I sent the engine serial number and a/c type to IVO and ordered their recommendation,so I am not sure if it is Patriot blades or not. The prop now has over 600 hours on it, and like has been mentioned, the planetary/motor assembly on these is pretty small and can be subject short life if you are constantly dinking around with the pitch controller!
I would say this is a good low budget IFA setup for the 80 HP engines but, of course with deep pockets and 100+HP the Airmaster is definitely the way to go.
I am always surprised at how much throttle and/or pitch adjustment is necessary on cross country flights, especially in the mountains. The CS and a bunch of cash would take care of that!!
Oh, to answer your question, I can now cruise at 115 or so with the IVO.

I really believe in order to get performance and efficiency out of these small engines IFA pitch really helps.
Good luck with your experiment.
Cheers
Don

[kitfox2009]

From the IVO website it says to use a hacksaw.
• If you wish to increase top speed or decrease cruise RPM, switch to a 2-blade prop or
cut the 3-blade prop to smaller diameter using a hack saw. As long as you cut the same
length piece from each blade, the prop will remain in balance.


I would be careful about trimming the ends if you are getting good rpm cause I know you want to do more sandbar landings. A longer prop usually gives more pull and better climb.

Happy New Year guys
I know this is an OLD thread but I have a couple of questions regarding my 70 inch IVO IFA Ultra Light prop. I have run this now for over 700 hours on a Rotax 912 UL (80HP). over this period I have replaced the pitch motor once, the spool (stripped threads) twice, The carriers and pinion a number of times. Anyway the prop works very well, smooth and allows for better engine performance and fuel economy.
BUT, Today I removed the IFA hub and installed my Ground Adjust plate for use while I am waiting for another "lead screw assembly" due to stripped threads on the "spool". I never noticed this before but in order to achieve fine pitch on the ground adjuster there is quite a bit of resistance required on the adjusting shaft!

I am wondering if this excessive force required is what is prematurely damaging these IFA parts. The prop was purchased from IVO 9 years ago on their recommendation. It is possible that I have the "high pitch blades" The model says UR 370+PE. Not sure what that means.
I know is is very easy to lug the engine with very little adjustment in flight.

I am thinking of cutting the prop down in small increments. Do any of you folks have experience doing this? Do not want to mess up the balance. I suppose the other option is to purchase new blades low pitch.

I realize many of you guys have gone on to bigger and better things (airmaster,etc) but my next birthday will match my HP so I would prefer to just fly a bit more without beating up the family`s inheritance too badly.

Cheers and HAPPY NEW YEAR to the KF forum folks
Don Hudgeon