55wagon wrote:Battson,
What engine are you running? Just curious. Depends on your application I guess. I don't mind, actually like, the noise. And if you want or need to be quiet just give the knob a few twists. Usually not running that hard in cruise anyway.. I personally don't see anyway possible a 82 can pull as hard as an 88. But I was wrong once before.. I want more hp and the bigger prop.

Lycoming IO-540.
Yeah I hear what you're saying. Most guys seem to go 84", but the Pponk calculator reckons 86" would be ideal for my application... I guess when it came down to it, I followed the advice of a guy who's done it all before. I am pretty new to this.

Talked to my mechanic again today who built my new motor that we're installing next week basically been asking him this same question for a few weeks now trying to get more info and his summary is this...For what I do, he believes the 82" C66 I bought used ($2500 recent overhaul, low TT) is the way to go. No doubt it will make Max HP as long as it is properly tuned to the engine and shimmed to the proper setting.

He's a been there done that guy and does lots of float flyin with his 180. He's sayin on a float plane you need as much thrust as you can get and the drag from the floats makes the drag you get from longer blades irrelevant. For as much XC as I do, he's sayin it's not worth the extra drag in cruise. So the big advantage of the long blade is more thrust on take-off, which is not news to anyone. The advantage of the shorter blade is less drag in cruise. However, no loss of horsepower just less thrust, according to him it is marginal in my application so we'll see.

I'm still wondering though, at some point does more thrust override the drag and result in more speed, which Rob pointed out he'd experienced something similar before.

He's got some 3 blades I can try out as well as 55wagon's 88" blade that I can borrow off his plane just kiddin bro we'll wait till your project's done and I'll see how it flies on your ride (we'll have the same motor with the exception of he's got the Lee's exhaust and I got Knisley). Depending how long it takes us to get done with the firewall forward, annual, new winshield, and install a V-brace, I'll run a test of all 3 or 4 different props. Doubtful that I'll be able to get any conclusive results from a short flight out of a paved strip at sea level, but should atleast be able to get a decent impression.

Hell ya bro!!! I wasn't thinkin. He's got em all there. If you got time run em all!!(; use mine to! You know that! Maybe that's a bad idea. Don't wanna cost u 14k. That dam 88 better pull harder than that 82 I just ripped you off on. Wish that new 203 spinner wasn't so long. Looks goofy to me. Loved the look of that 3 blade hartzell when I had it. Eye candy wise anyway. Good luck on the Pandora's box brother! It's about like picking the perfect caliber rifle, or perfect woman....to many variables. Best part about it is when it gets right down to it..your talking inches in the grand scheme of things I bet. It's all about the hunt or chase. And you know if I wasn't "tied down" I'd be right there with ya. Just don't fly my bird while your there. Don't wanna see that skalywag on barn next week.

Good deal 55', hopefully we'll run a test with the variety of 3 blades and the 82" and 88" 2 blades...If your's was ready I'm sure we would fly it, but you had to have an autopilot sorry couldn't resist!!!

Even if you got WingX, Sportsman, VG's, Lee's exhaust, and wheel panties ...I would never trade the Skalywagon, only way to get it would be to pry it from my cold dead hands

Maybe this summer we can coordinate a fly-off between all the 180/182's in this group at JC or somethin, would be super fun to see how all the different set-ups perform!!! Of course it would be even better to have a fly-off between all the amazing experimental and certified rides on this site

Only downside to running this prop test is the idea of having to land on pavement, kinda makes me cringe just thinking bout it

Ok sorry that was a low blow 55'.......in his defense the plane came with wheel panties and the bushwheels are ready to go!!! I'm not sure there's anything I can say for the automopilot tho'

A cool calc from Pponk for determining your tip mach #.
http://www.pponk.com/HTML%20PAGES/propcalc.html

It's fun to play with the numbers.