Zenith Aircraft Builders and Flyers
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3 bladed prop for 601xlb
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Gary Welch on
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I have a 3 blade Warp Drive on my 601, Lycoming O-235 engine. Happy to try and help if you have a specific question.
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Permalink Reply by Tim Dura on
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I also have the O-235. What blade lengths did you use? Prop pitch? Did it help your cruise speed? Ball park costs involved? Composite, metal or wood? Thank you!
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- The Warp Drive props are all carbon fiber. Mine is adjustable pitch, 68". I currently have the pitch set at 11.5 degrees which leans toward climb performance. I fly out of a fairly high density altitude airport.
my prop was about $1500 with spinner and backing plate.
If you could find the perfect pitch for a two blade prop I think this will always outperform a 3 blade prop.
My problem was that I could find no flying 601s with the O-235 with a 2 bladed prop i could afford. There were a couple flying with Whirlwind and Sensinech props but i couldnt afford one of those.
So I could not find anyone with an inexpensive two blade fixed pitch prop that could give me performance criteria.
I decided i didnt want to end up ordering multiple two blade props until i found the right one for me.
The next best choice was the least expensive adjustable pitch prop. This turned out to be the Warp Drive prop.
Im very happy with it as i have been able to dial it in to the precise performance i wanted.
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So the prop is adjustable then. That's very good to know. I'm looking at high density altitude operations as well combining both altitude and a whole lot of heat. I appreciate the information.
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Permalink Reply by Patrick Hoyt on
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I'm running a 3 bladed 68" Whirlwind in front of a Viking 130 engine. 601XLb with 650 mods.
Patrick Hoyt
N63PZ
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How did the 3 blade compare to the 2 blade in takeoff, climb and cruise? Approx costs? Thank you! Tim
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Permalink Reply by Jan Eggenfellner on
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Here is some info that might help you.
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Not an apples-to-apples comparison, as my airplane is now very different than it was when I first built it (I replaced everything on the airplane "instrument panel forward". New prop, new cowling, bigger engine, different cooling system, plus aero mods).
In comparing the Warp Drive to the Whirlwind, having both props on my workbench sitting next to each other at the same time, I can tell you that the Whirlwind is a much finer product, with greater attention to detail being paid by the manufacturer.
Picture showing both side-by-side here: Warp Drive and Whirlwind Props
In all fairness to Warp Drive, I bought that prop about 10 years ago, whereas my Whirlwind is new. I do not have apples-to-apples performance data on one prop versus the other, but that would be interesting to see.
- Pat
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Permalink Reply by Harry Walia on
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Hello Tim,
Here is my experience with 2 blade versus 3 blade props and its perfectly inline with theory behind it. I have tried both 2 blade warpdrive and a 3 blade warpdrive props on the same plane in similar conditions (or no big differences for say). 3 blade is smoother in operation due to close wavelength of air hitting the fuselage at any given RPM and the difference is only noticeable only if you try to compare. it also gives you a better torque and climb performance but at a given manifold pressure the indicated speed was about 8mph less than what it was for a 2 blades. So, if you are operating form a shorter strip or high DA fields, go for a 3 blade. If you are planing to fly places and don't mind a slight compromise on take off performance then 2 blade prop is a way to go. These tests were done an a CH601TD with rotax 912ULS. but the performance and functionality of props would not change with engine behind them (not opening a can of worms) :)
Regards,
Harry
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Hi Harry
As you know, there is usually more to it than a single test. The reason for your speed decrease was likely due to reduced angle of attack when you went with 3 blades on the same engine / airframe. A smaller blade or shorter propeller would have allowed you the same angle in cruise, as the 2 blade, hence a much closer speed. You could also go from a WarpDrive 2 blade square tip to a 3 blade tapered tip to maintain the speed.
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Permalink Reply by David Krakowsky on
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I’m also using a three blade 68 tapered warp drive on my 601XLB with a Continental
O-200
originally my factory built AMD 601XL came with a Sensinich two blade wood prop.
much happier with the Warp drive, adjustability is the key factor
you can set it up for climb or cruise, and your density altitude.
much smoother than the two blade, negligible performance differences, the two blade
slightly more performance.
superb customer service with Warp Drive.
Dave
N601XP
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