Rotax 618 with 3-1 ratio

[deejayel]

Called ivoprop today

I knew from their website that ivoprop recommended a medium 2 blade. And thats exactly what they told me over the phone.

I do like the looks of a 3 blade. I thought the gsc 3 blades looked great

Options? Thoughts?

[t j]

I have a Classic 4 with a 52 hp 3:1 geared 503 Rotax. First had a 68 inch 3 blade GSC. Very smooth at all rpms, looked good and pretty respectable climb considering the low power engine. I had a prop strike that shattered all three blades but didn't kill the engine. I sent the engine in to a Rotax service center for tear down and inspection. Everything was still within new specs.

Wanting the best possible climb performance out of the low power engine I called warp and asked. Ther recommened and I bought a 72 inch 2 blade square tip Warp. Better climb than the GSC and cruse at 85 mph. Smooth at all rpms except a slight vibration at 3000 rpm and kind of ugly.

[deejayel]

I'm kinda leaning to the 3 blade 72" Ivoprop Ground adjustable UL

I was having a hard time getting IVO to tell me where the performance degradation would be if I went with the above rather than their recommended 2 blade medium. They never did tell me.

My mission: 1200' grass strips, sand bars farm fields etc... Not really going anywhere but around the neighborhood so a fast cruise is not necessarily required

[fred colman]

Hi Deejayel I recently fitted a 72" coarse pitch 3 blade ground adjustable IVO light prop to my mk2 Kitfox,582 c/w 3-1 C box.Adjusted one turn coarse from neutral,it gives great performance,over 1000ft per min climb,80mph cruise @ 5000rpm.Have yet to fly with a passenger but there is lots of scope for adjustment,and as you know,so quick n easy

[deejayel]

Great Review! Thanks!

I wish IVO recommended the 3 blade UL for my combo. Alas, they have the medium 2-blade set up for the 618/3-1...

So if I "have" to go with a 2 blade, I decided to run a few more tests. I sent Culver and Tennessee props an email with my specs to see what they come up with. Waiting their reply...

I do like the "old fashioned" look of wood. I'll take a bit of a performance hit to have the "look"

[Geowitz]

Deejayel - Just in case... I have an IVO Medium In Flight Adjustable for sale that will work on your 618. 6 hours total time. It has and can be configured with 2 or 3 blades. Also includes 2 blade spinner. I loved it and it performed really well in climb and cruise, but it was a little on the heavy end for the HKS as far as inertia. Your 618 should handle it fine though as IVO recommends. Easily saw about 1200 fpm climb with the HKS. May be beter with your high ratio gearbox. The in flight adjust makes for wonderful performance across the pitch range.

One more thing - I really wanted a 3 blade, but trust me. Once it's spinning you can't tell . And the in flight adjust is so nice. I really hate to not be able to use it.