Thu, Mar 05, 2009
Composite Blades May Now Spin Upfront On RVs
Homebuilt aircraft giant Van's Aircraft recently started
offering Hartzell Propeller's new ASC-II "advanced composite"
constant speed propellers for application on its current line of
offerings. Van's RV models powered by Lycoming -360 engines will
accept the new Hartzell 2-blade ASC-II composite props, while the
RV-10 with Lycoming -540 power plants can use the new 3-blade
composite propeller.
Hartzell's composite blades comprise a proprietary layup of
carbon fiber and Kevlar, with co-molded electroformed nickel
leading edges and an integral stainless steel shank. Hartzell's
2-bladed ASC-II propeller is 16 pounds lighter than its 2-bladed
aluminum counterpart. The 3-blade composite propeller for the RV-10
adds a blade over the Hartzell 2-blade blended airfoil prop with
only a 10 pound weight penalty.
"Everyone who has flown in my RV-10
with the Hartzell ASC-II composite propeller says that it's the
smoothest single engine plane they have ever flown in," said Rob
Hickman, president of Advanced Flight Systems Inc. "The new Harzell
composite propeller has also made a remarkable difference in the
flying qualities of my RV-4. It's incredibly smooth and the 16 lbs
I saved over the old propeller makes a noticeable difference in how
well it flies."
Mike Disbrow, Hartzell's senior vice-president, marketing and
business development, said the warranty (1 year, 1,000 hours) and
TBO (6 years/2,400 hours) on the Van's applications match those on
certificated aircraft.
"We have plans to expand our line of composite props after years
of research and development with carbon and Kevlar materials,"
Disbrow said. "Every pound saved is weight you don't have to fly
around for the life of the airplane. Apart from the benefits of
smoothness, lower noise and performance, it adds up to significant
fuel savings."
Builders are able to order these propellers direct from Van's
Aircraft. Van's lists the 2-blade, model numbers HC-C2YR-1N/N7605-2
or -4, at $10,920, while the 3-blade, model number HC-C3YR-1N/N7605
is $15,220.
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