Hi all. I'm thinking of going to an IVO electric in flight adjustable prop on my 0-320. I currently have a 2 blade Sensich, 73" pitched at 52. I'd like to go up to 78 or 80". Would I benefit from going with a 3 blade over 2 on a smaller hp engine? Or will a 3 blade still be a big improvement?
Thanks in advance.

David

A1 you cant run a IVO on a drirect drive lycoming, call IVO first.

Thanks. I will have to call them. Guess I haven't done enough homework yet...

Spoke with Ron at IVO, they were doing props on Lycs but won't do anymore due to the vibration. To bad, that electric adjustable prop seems like the ticket...

I know where there was one in Anchorage, one of the very first electric IVO's and it was on a Lyc.
If your interested I think I can dig up the info on where it is.
GT

M6RV6 wrote:I know where there was one in Anchorage, one of the very first electric IVO's and it was on a Lyc.
If your interested I think I can dig up the info on where it is.
GT

As interested as I am GT, not sure its worth it if they are having enough vibration issues to discontinue use...

David

Don't you need a certified prop, or least one that offers an STC for your Citabria?

IVO isn't the only game in town for electric in-flight adjustable. Check out Airmaster. They're not quite the bargain that IVO is though, and I don't readily see a hub that's made to fit a Lycoming.

Zzz wrote:Don't you need a certified prop, or least one that offers an STC for your Citabria?

IVO isn't the only game in town for electric in-flight adjustable. Check out Airmaster. They're not quite the bargain that IVO is though, and I don't readily see a hub that's made to fit a Lycoming.

Good question Zane. I'm actually planning on putting the Citabria in the homeowner maintained category. There is a lot of stuff cetified for the O-320 for other planes, but won't get certified for the Citabria due to the low numbers of them flying around. This category will give me more flexibility with modifications. But I'll still be within reason, I'm not gonna start running walmart parts, just parts that are certified on the engine in other planes, or avionics such as the dynon flydek that is not tso'd.

Thanks for the link. Ill check them out.

David

Does the owner maintained category apply to GA aircraft in the same way it applies to A.B. Experimental aircraft?

Battson wrote:Does the owner maintained category apply to GA aircraft in the same way it applies to A.B. Experimental aircraft?

A.B. stands for amateur built? Then yes I believe it gives me the same freedoms.

I just put the Ivo IFA on my Avid. It's amazing! I can't believe how smooth it runs it compared to my Warp Drive. The extra 600 RPM on takeoff makes it climb even better and I picked up almost 10mph in cruise. Doesn't sounds like much but when your only doing 75-80 it's pretty significant. Bummer you weren't able to make it work.

Which engine do you have on your Avid?

Joey is running a 582 Rotax on his Avid.

I have an Ivo "electrically ground adjustable" for my project Kitfox. I'm running a Rotax 912-80 hp in that one.

Thanks for all the responses so far. It looks like IVO will be out of the question, so I changed the title. Back to one of my original questions, will there always be a performance gain with a 3 blade prop, or with smaller HP engines are you better off with a 2 blade?
David

I think MT makes a controllable (non constant-speed) prop that might work on a Lyc 320, but they're pretty spendy. Anyone know any more about them?
You might also look into a Catto prop. They make a prop that a lot of supercub guys are using instead of an 82" borer. Supposed to work really well and be a lot cheaper than a borer- less than $3K as opposed to close to $4K. Not STC'd (yet) but if you're gonna go OM that shouldn't be an issue.

A1,
Everything I have read has said the least amount of blades is the most efficient. One article even tested a single blade with a weight on the opposite side. It performed well, but the extra weight was not worth it. (it takes a lot of weight near the hub to balance a little weight at the tip of a blade.) More blades are usually added for several reasons. It is usually to absorb the power of the engine when the max prop diameter is met. The restricting factors are usually ground clearance and prop tip speed. Another reason to run a three blade is for smoothness of pull, pull, and "drumming" (pulses of air hit the cabin). Another factor is the design of the prop blade. It has to be able to efficiently absorb the power. So not knowing what prop you are using I would lean towards a large diameter 2-blade. Big diameter=better pull at slow speeds, more drag at higher speeds.(Usually)

This is what I have found in my research.

Kneel