Company Says Universal Prop Is Easy To Install, Cheap To Maintain

Vari-Prop has announced a new variable pitch propeller which is scalable to fit a variety of engines. The propeller system has been on the market for the past six months and the company has already taken 20 orders.

Two, three, and four blade propellers are available and priced between $3495 and $8995. Pitch is controlled by hydraulics linked to a computer in the cockpit.

"We have been testing it for four years, and have done a lot of destructing propellers to make sure they're safe," CEO Larry Morgan said.

Everything about the design is built with equipment that meets FAA standards.

Vari-Prop has designed the propeller to work on 80-300hp engines. When delivered, the system will take about two to three hours to install. According to Morgan, that is also a fairly generous estimate.

The system does not require a hollow crankshaft and bolts on to the propeller mount. The hydraulic system is fully independent of the engine.

The control knob fits in the standard slot for the pitch control. Increasing and decreasing pitch is done by turning the knob counter-clockwise (anti-clockwise for our English readers) and clockwise respectively. Pressing the knob twice will not only illuminate two green lights on the control, but will also automatically set the propeller for landing.

A piston in the hub is driven by the hydraulic pump. When the piston travels forward, it pushes a pin connected to the propeller to change the pitch.

"We have been planning to start marketing the Vari-Prop to [Light Sport Aircraft] customers," Morgan said. Delivery of the propeller system takes 60 days.

"We normally finish them in half that time, but we like to say 60 in case anything goes wrong," Morgan said. Time between overhauls is about 1000 hours, according to Morgan, with total parts cost of around 10 cents.

"There is a bearing where the crankshaft goes through the piston that you might as well replace while you have it taken apart, but that'll only set you back another four bucks," Morgan said.

He later said "we are also very interested in working with developing companies looking for a propeller system for their aircraft."

FMI: www.variprop.com