We had four 415-C's flying together regularly. One had a wooden prop and could not keep up with us in a climb - not even close.
After a great deal of debate we asked several seasoned flight test engineers and former (prop driven) combat pilots. All maintained that wooden propellers are less efficient. Jerry is correct - a wood prop is less efficient than a similar spec'd metal prop. Manufacturing tolerances, etc Roy ________________________________ From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of heavensounds Sent: Saturday, April 12, 2008 10:06 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [ercoupe-tech] wood props Importance: Low I remember pondering the idea of a wood prop some time ago. Due to the saving of a few pounds of weight in the very front of the plane (long arm) there is the need to check what would be the CG at gross, as it will move towards the tail, and may reach or exceed the rearmost limit. Obviously, this depends on the specific plane. Eliacim ----- Original Message ----- From: Jerry Eichenberger <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: joe <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ; [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, April 12, 2008 3:43 PM Subject: RE: [ercoupe-tech] wood props Joey - I'd be hesitant for a couple of reasons: 1. Wood props are less efficient. With your having 75 hp, I'd think you'd see rate of climb drop and cruise speed drop a little. Do you want to see that? 2. On a tricycle airplane, your more fragile prop is close to the ground, to pick up more FOD damage than when wood props are used on tailwheel airplanes, where they're up higher off of the ground. 3. Of course, the wood prop will be lighter, so you may gain some small amount of useful load, but again, performance will suffer. Just my 2 cents. Jerry E. -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of joe Sent: Saturday, April 12, 2008 3:37 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [ercoupe-tech] wood props I am thinking about replacing my metal McCauley 7351 Prop with a new Sensenich wood prop,a W74FK-45 Std. Has anyone had any experience with a wood prop on a 415C with a 75Hp engine, Thanks Joey
