Trike props

[Hennie Vermaak]

Question i'm not getting many answers on. I have an aquilla 582 and my instructor has exactly the same trike. Hers climbs at 1100ft/min flying dual. Its a beast at climbing! Mine climbs 600-700ft/min. WHY???? Now we both have 3 blade nc props. I dont know the specifics on the props but our props are different and with experience from model planes and gliders. The longer the prop with less angle of attack gives more torque (climbing power) and less speed and visa versa. My engine runs very cold (45 degreees) Is it maybe that my prop specs are incorrect and that it might be too small and so the engine is not working hard at all or is there more to it. Anyone have suggestions as to prop specs. The numbers may be wrong but the theory is there when i say that a 46 x 10 prop will climb better than a 35 x 15 prop. But the 35 x 15 will have less torque for climbing but give more speed on level flight. Whats ideal for a 582??? And what are the ranges one gets props in? Then to complicate matters even further comes fuel economy. The 40 x 10 will guzzle more fuel in the climb but at level flight should be more economical as it will be running at lower revs to cruise at 50mph but might be over revving to cruise at 60mph while the 35 x 15 will be uneconomical during the climb because it has to run at higher rpm but to cruise at say 60mph should be more economical than the 40 x 10. I bought the 582 rather than a 503 coz i wanted the extra power. Whats the best prop to convert that power to the forward thrust. I'm not after speed. I want to cruise at 55mph and have the torque to get out of sticky situations and climb well. I feel like one can write a book on this topic!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please..... suggestions!????

[Bundy]

Question i'm not getting many answers on. I have an aquilla 582 and my instructor has exactly the same trike.

The wing set up will also affect the climb performance.... Most ATO's have High lift High drag set ups for training purposes...your wing may be set up differently too? What is the RPM on the engine sitting at in the cruise? I fly a 582 with an NC prop...two up 4950 RPM, solo 4750 rpm average straight and level. Take off, full revs....usually 5800-6000 depending on the DA.

Will let the techies answer your prop question.... me I'm too stupid... as long as it's turning I'm happy! haha

[Hennie Vermaak]

We set the wing up where it was most comfortable to fly. I.e the 2nd hole from the back and climb is at 6000rpm and cruise at 5000rpm... everything still dual as i'm training. When we moved the hang point the bar was too far in or too far out. Its now just at a comfy distance for when we cruise... Any idea what your climbing rate is and what prop you using???

[Bundy]

We set the wing up where it was most comfortable to fly. I.e the 2nd hole from the back and climb is at 6000rpm and cruise at 5000rpm... everything still dual as i'm training. When we moved the hang point the bar was too far in or too far out. Its now just at a comfy distance for when we cruise... Any idea what your climbing rate is and what prop you using???

I don't think we climb out much more or less than you Hennie... at best climb speed I can hit about 850ft/min.

Our prop is an NC like yours. You say they are different? I thought there was only one size?....I must be wrong? They unfortunately get sent out with this stupid little wire to be used to set the pitch...which is almost useless....we used the settings off another trike to set ours, and I know a few other pilots who also had big issues trying to set the pitch. Your RPM is about the same as ours... It is a great prop though and I don't regret moving to NC for a minute.

55mph is quite fast for an Aquilla. Most Aquilla's/windlasses cruise at about 50. With speed you sacrifice lift.

I had the same thing with the trainers I flew in the past. They all climbed out extremely well due to the wing set up. Batton profile, tension and washout all make a difference. They were all slow though! Hence my comment.

[Hennie Vermaak]

oh i didn't know either that theycame out standard size. I thought there was a whole range to choose from to give you what kind of flying you want. The prop is a beaut i must say, as quiet as ever so maybe i'm going on about nothing. Maybe just too full of rubbish... Anyways, thanks alot for the advice... Really does help

[Bundy]

oh i didn't know either that theycame out standard size. I thought there was a whole range to choose from to give you what kind of flying you want. The prop is a beaut i must say, as quiet as ever so maybe i'm going on about nothing. Maybe just too full of rubbish... Anyways, thanks alot for the advice... Really does help

Im no expert Hennie...but your performance doesn't sound too bad to me...

As my AP always says to me.... "Stop hanna hannering, you make yourself full of worry....JUST GO FLY MAN!?"

[mulderpm]

Bundy is 100% right. I have an Aqula 1 wing on a Windlass cart with a 582/99 (blue top) with 350 hrs. I recently went to an N.C. and it performs very well. 800 ft/min climb, full power 6200rpm and cruises 4800rpm dual, 4300rpm solo. Fuel burn is between 10 & 15 L/hr level cruize at 50 mph. The manufacturer only makes one prop and has not changed the design in 10 years. We copy the pitch from the schools trikes. They got 1400 hrs on their previous 582's without opening the engines.

I think the difference in climb rate has more to do with the wing and hang point, but I am also no expert.

[Hennie Vermaak]

I hear what you saying.... Being a male i just like to know the technical small things. But I'm very glad to hear that mine is on par with the rest. I thought i was underperforming.... Thanks all you chaps for
that!!!!

[mulderpm]

One more thing Hennie...putting a more powerfull engine on...503 (50hp) replaced with 582 (65hp)....does shorten your take off roll and increases your climb rate. But if the engines are the same and the porps & pitches are the same the cause of the difference in climb rate has to be elsewhere (wing).

[Hennie Vermaak]

I just find this a very interesting topic coz from my model planes experience i played and experimented with all sorts of props on different motors in order to get exactly what i was looking for out of the motor. Speed with low torque or as i can say putting a car in permanent 5th gear of then the bigger less pitched props for low speed and high torque or again putting a car in permanent 1st gear. I just thought that there would be different props for microlight to suit whatever the pilot wishes are as to how he wants to fly the trike...