Prop me up...
I am constant speed, IO-360 Fuel injected with a cold air superior sump with horizontal intake. from a weight perspective its a slider with a G3X dual screen system and GTN650 planned. no steam gauges.
I guess the look and smoothness of three blade is the wish. question is composite or aluminium? and size?
I'm no expert on the W & B math so any advice here on what is best would be great. I expect the composite CS will be very expensive. I also heard the composite may cause an aft C of G reducing baggage capacity
id appreciate any advice on what prop to go with. my mission will include some shorter grass strips, but not under 1600 feet
im building a 7
Adam,
Age old question with some good responses. However comma, nobody mentioned the Catto Gen 3, Performance (wood) 3 blade "almost constant speed" and Whirlwind GA.
If Bang for the buck isn't just a buzz word, all of the aforementioned are a better bang for your buck than the Hartzell BA, Whirlwind 200 or MT IMHO.
Why?
Eight Grand for the BA prop and another $300 for the spinner plus $1000 for the governor? The WW and MT with all the bells and whistles are North of
Ten Grand. I spent that exact amount
total on my used engine (0-360J)
and my Catto Gen 2 prop! As a builder, you fully understand it all boils down to the bucks.
No Bucks, no Buck Rogers..
Weight a minute...
When I mailed Van's aircraft a check for a preview video in 1987, there were only two RV kits, little internet or phone support and no VAF. Most builders then were building on a budget as certified airplanes were expensive and performance inhibited.
Then, (as now in some circles)
out the door cost, low empty weight and performance on a budget were crucial. My goals on both my RV's (RV4, RVX) was a empty weight not to exceed 1000lbs and cost under $30K. **
This required discipline, patience and a bit of scrounging but I assure you is possible. *
Best RV7 ever?
The best RV7 I've flown ever had your identical engine and induction, Sam James cowl and fairings/wheel pants, very little paint and panel and a Catto Gen 3 Three Blade prop with Saber Extension to match the James Cowl. It's EW was exactly 1000lbs. Flight qualities and performance were superb and had my favorite "light nose" feel.It was being sold to a gentleman in South Africa by the builder and I inspected/delivered it to the shipping location. Simply superb.
It recently won a Sport Air Race in South Africa BTW...
CG, Performance and mowing the grass...
The CG and performance/handling on light, IO-360 powered SBS RV's with a FP prop out front is superb. I have always considered fuel as my greatest ally in CG adjustment over the years as it's forward of the CG for a reason. More baggage? Add fuel. Local flying/Aerobatics? Less. Keep it light, less than 1/2 fuel is plenty. Additionally, I have flown both my FP prop RV's off my 1200' grass strip with no worries and have had no problems keeping up with any similarly CS equipped RV's. Where the FP really shines is aerobatics (and dog-fighting if so inclined). I prefer a lighter nose and less flywheel effect and had all my props pitched slightly climb oriented where I could obtain 2800 (or greater) RPM WOT at Sea Level. This allowed me to run WOT at 11,500' at 2650 RPM and enjoy 175KTAS and maintain the age old "48" combination of MP and RPM.
Don't discount a FP composite prop, I speak from numerous hours tweaking, flying, evaluating and paying...
V/R
Smokey
*My RV4: 925lbs EW, $22K out the door in 96', RVX 945Lbs EW $30K.
**After 200+ pre-purchase inspections and numerous deliveries on RV's over the past 25 years to include every RV model and several Rockets, my favorites are still the light ones.