MAC-CDL Prop Strike

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salem
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MAC-CDL Prop Strike

Postby salem » Sat Nov 26, 2005 3:33 pm

I would appreciate any information and/or advice from any MAC-CDL fundies out there.
I replaced the old Cuyuna (with V-belt reduction gear) with a Rotax 503 with gearbox. The prop is driven via a shaft direct from the gearbox. The shaft is held with a P205J bearing and housing. Whereas before the thrust line went through the root tube, it now goes through the shaft direct to the gearbox/engine assembly and to the root tube via the engine mountings.
After putting a lot of hours and effort in making the necessary changes from a Cuyuna to a Rotax I finally took the aerie this morning for a test flight. Flew the plane at ground effect height (+- 10ft) the length of the runway to check the controls and found the plane a little nose-heavy. I decided to taxi back to the hangar to make the neccessary adjustment to the tail-feathers. While taxiing, the P205J disintigrated and the prop (brand new) chewed up both trailing edges and my brand-new set of sails. The root-tube is twisted beyond repair and the prop is history. I had taxiied the aerie extensively the previous weekend without detecting any vibration or adverse torque effect.
Can anyone please give me some advice if the mod I made has an inherent flaw?
ZS-VFZ
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kb
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Postby kb » Sun Nov 27, 2005 7:44 pm

to be honest, I have no idea, but sorry to hear about the damages. :(
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Duck Rogers
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Postby Duck Rogers » Tue Nov 29, 2005 10:26 pm

3 questions here: 1) How long was the shaft?
2) What type of steel was the shaft made from?
3) How was the shaft connected to the gearbox?
Airspeed, altitude, or brains....you always need at least two
Bozz
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Postby Bozz » Wed Nov 30, 2005 11:46 am

Hi Salem
You should try speak to CC of Bush Air in Baberton Valley.
He had a MAC CDL, while he was still in Jhb, with a Rotax 503 on and he used to do his own servicing and mods.
Maybe he can give some advice.
Web Address http://www.bushair.co.za

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