Hello all, new to the forum here. I have a 67 GCBC that I use for getting around Alaska. From the old timers up here, the best two things you can do to your plane are bushwheels, and a flatter prop. I swapped out the 600x6 tires for some 29" ABWs, and have recently mustered up the courage to spend the $$$ to get a new prop. The incentive to get a new prop has been highlighted recently when I start working numbers to head out to the fishing spots, especially with a passenger, and realizing a couple things. Firstly, how quickly you run out of space/useful load in a Champ. Secondly, on these hot(ter) days with a heavy aircraft, my 7454 prop may not do the trick when getting out of these tighter spots. At least not without some nail biting takeoff scenarios.
I called Dominion Prop shop down in Anchorage, and they said they have an 8040 that I can purchase. I was just wondering if 40 is too flat, and if so, what pitch have people been using on their Champs. Thanks in advance!

I had a 7653 on my '74 7GCBC. It worked well, but u always wanted to try a longer prop when on my 31s. Never got around to it though and sold the plane. That said, I was never nervous taking off from most places, it pulled hard.

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Depends on the model of prop. I'm running a 7844 (cut down Borer) on my 160hp Champ, and I get about 2600 RPM on takeoff. Many people run 8241 Borer on 150 Cubs. What does your mechanic say?

On my 1978 7GCBC with HD factory spring gear I had 4 props. The stock one (74/56?) on conventional gear (pre-bushwheels), Landes 2500 skis, and EDO 2000 floats, 80/40 Seaplane on Scout gear W,S, and floats, a 76 constant speed via Northland's STC, and an 80 constant speed field approved. For the money the fixed pitch 80/40 with the hub spacer to bolt up to the Champ engine and cowl was very good. Not as fast as the constant speed ones but very acceptable.

You could try having your prop repitched so it maxes the allowable static rpm shown here for your plane's TCDS A-759: http://www.univair.com/type-certificate-data-sheets/ Ask Dominion what that would be given your current static rpm.

But the 80/40 would be better if your mechanic approves depending on landing gear configuration and prop tip clearance to ground.

Gary

67GCBC wrote:Hello all, new to the forum here. I have a 67 GCBC that I use for getting around Alaska. From the old timers up here, the best two things you can do to your plane are bushwheels, and a flatter prop. I swapped out the 600x6 tires for some 29" ABWs, and have recently mustered up the courage to spend the $$$ to get a new prop. The incentive to get a new prop has been highlighted recently when I start working numbers to head out to the fishing spots, especially with a passenger, and realizing a couple things. Firstly, how quickly you run out of space/useful load in a Champ. Secondly, on these hot(ter) days with a heavy aircraft, my 7454 prop may not do the trick when getting out of these tighter spots. At least not without some nail biting takeoff scenarios.
I called Dominion Prop shop down in Anchorage, and they said they have an 8040 that I can purchase. I was just wondering if 40 is too flat, and if so, what pitch have people been using on their Champs. Thanks in advance!

Damn am I glad you showed up. As a new owner of a 150hp 7ECA I've been wondering about props myself. I have the McCauley 72x54 which is the "standard" prop. I think 60" pitch is cruise and 50" is climb.

At this point I'm just going to shut up and listen, but I have many of the same questions as the OP. The Citabria forum is quiet as a tomb and the only active comms I can find are on Facebook which is fine for sharing pics to quite feeble at Matrix type brain fusions (which I desperately need).

So, my mechanic says the 8040 would be a good prop, especially when I put the floats on. I just wanted to put my feelers out there and see what other Champ/Citabria owners were running on their rigs. I think the longest I can go is 80 as well.