Hi,

I will be building a Bearhawk 5 and wanted to get some opinions on props. The engine will be a Lycoming IO 580, port and polish with 10:1 compressions, estimated 360-370hp. The main mission would be thrust for STOL. I've done quite a bit of research and I'm thinking either the 3 blade composite Hartzell Trailblazer 85" or the 82.6in 3 blade MT. I wanted to see thoughts on these, or if even a 4 blade would make sense with 360hp. I've looked at the P-Ponk comparison, but I believe that was an aluminum Hartzell prop. I haven't seen many comparison with the Hartzell composite, especially an 85in.

Thanks,

Perhaps for consideration although I'm not sure there are good IO-580 references...

The Skywagon guys, including me, are all super satisfied with the 86" Hartzell Trailblazer as the go-to prop for the IO-470/520/550 installs. I would think that for your STOL thrust needs, the extra blade length would be of benefit (as it is for seaplane ops).

Rumor continues that a composite Voyager is also soon to be revealed.

wagonflyer wrote:Perhaps for consideration although I'm not sure there are good IO-580 references...

The Skywagon guys, including me, are all super satisfied with the 86" Hartzell Trailblazer as the go-to prop for the IO-470/520/550 installs. I would think that for your STOL thrust needs, the extra blade length would be of benefit (as it is for seaplane ops).

Rumor continues that a composite Voyager is also soon to be revealed.

Is the 86" Trailblazer you're referring to an aluminum or composite? I had a brochure sent to me by Hartzell and they are showing the biggest diameter they have is 85".

I would probably call MT/Flight Resources and talk to one of their engineers. They will be able to suggest a lot of options that aren't listed on the MT web page. They will take the horsepower, rpm, and use case and come up with the blade profile and length that will work best with your engine.

I know others who have made the call and ended up with some pretty fantastic props that did exactly what they wanted. Probably a much better way to spend money than buying a prop built for a different engine and a different power band.

I saved this picture from Facebook I think of an Alaska 185 with TSIO 540. Looks pretty cool to me!!!!!