New Hub Design Just Loves Walters' Horsepower

Long a favorite with homebuilders, Avia introduced a completely new hub and blade design at Sun 'n Fun this year.

Along with the new hub, is a new blade design, as well. The first application to be graced with the new AV 843 series will be Walter 601-series engines, all the way up to 750 horsepower.

Avia is counting on being up front on a lot of fast glass machines, as the Walters, even in the 700+ hp range, are becoming... well, if not 'common,' at least 'believable.'

The advantages of the new aluminum hub design are light weight, longevity, and fewer maintenance-hour requirements. The improvements are brought about by the one-piece aluminum construction, and an all-new ball bearing retention collar design for the paddles.

Whereas the old Avia design, like most others, used a traditional screw-in design blade retention system, the new design uses a captive ball bearing. This puts the centripetal load right on the balls, lowering friction when the prop's pitch is changed; the increase in longevity is related to both the mechanics and materials; and the maintenance is simplified, as there are none of the old fine threads to breed corrosion, or even (gasp!) to cross-thread.

The all-aluminum blade design is a semi-scimitar planform, much more modern-looking than the old elliptical paddles. As far as performance of the new blade design goes, we're told it's virtually identical to the old design, but there are some manufacturing advantages in the new shape, and, as one Avia rep said, "It looks a lot cooler."

The prop can be equipped with a feathering pump and a de-icing system; it comes with a governor and overspeed governor. The 7-foot (84") 3-blade design has a dry rotating weight under 110 lbs.

After the rollout of this 'Walter' prop is complete, expect the new design to become the standard, filtering down through the smaller Avia prop applications.

FMI: www.aviapropeller.com