While I agree that a cable is not a bad idea, the root cause of this
accident is what is not being addressed by the NTSB.
I am pretty sure that McCauley does not make a fixed pitch metal
prop
for
aricraft of the Mustang II or RV speed range. What builders have
done
for
many years is have the prop re-pitched beyond manufacturer's limits.
This
has resulted in prop failure litterally hundreds of times.
The only fixed metal prop for this speed range is a Sensenich (Sp?)
and
it
has a HARD rpm limit of 2600 rpm.
Don't depend on re-pitched metal props.
Tracy Crook
tcrook@rotaryaviation.com
www.rotaryaviation.com
I heartily agree with Tracy on reworked metal props. Actually in the F1
racing class
a safety cable is required by rules, and metal props are currently
outlawed
for
just these reasons. Sensenich has a very good metal prop for the Lyc 360
engines on the RV's without rpm limits I believe. However the Lyc 320
prop has the rpm limit that Tracy stated. Retuning metal props is a full
time
job for a fully staffed prop company - a lot of effort has gone un
rewarded
at Sensenich trying to extend the limits on the prop for the 320.
- Vance
Good point about the O-360 prop Vance. Too bad it turns the "wrong way" for
us. The 2.85 - 1 drive turns it the right way but the pitch is wrong for
that ratio.
Bernie Kerr recently instrumented his RV-6A & prop for the Sensenich O - 320
prop tests but the results were not good. The 2600 rpm limit still stands.
Bernie is currently building a 13B powered RV-9A.
Tracy Crook
tcrook@rotaryaviation.com
www.rotaryaviation.com
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