72" Hartzell Raptor Prop

[Sarn]

Trying to decide on what prop to put on my 14.

Hartzell is now offering a 3 blade composite 72".

Obviously the composite is pricy, especially compared to a 2 blade aluminum.

I want a constant speed prop and trying to weight price, durability and performance.

I would prefer a 3 blade for climb performance and smoothness.

Any thoughts?

[Taltruda]

Look into the Whirlwind HRT props.. I plan on the 2 blade myself.. the 3 blades are smooth, but I feel they are slower in cruise and could be more difficult to remove the lower cowling. Plus if you ever need to ship out the prop for service, the 2 blade box is easier to carry and ship vs the 3 blade box.. the 3 blade does look cool sitting on the ramp though!

[wirejock]

Kitplanes (Paul) ran an excellent article on prop selection recently.

[Ironflight]

Originally Posted by wirejock

Kitplanes (Paul) ran an excellent article on prop selection recently.

Yes - I tested the three blade composite Hartzell Raptor and the three blade Whirlwind 300 - check out the July 21 issue of Kitplanes for my results and thoughts.

[Sarn]

Thank you all. I'l check out the article.

[hgerhardt]

Paul, was looking at your Kitplanes July '21 prop article and also the referenced January '21 story. Each article compared your BA Hartzell with the WW300 3-blade, but there's a pretty big discrepancy in the speed runs in the intervening 6 months. Any idea what might have caused the huge difference of your BA prop at 2700 RPM? See screenshots below:

(July 2021 test)


(January 2021 test)

[dmattmul]

I have the WW 3 blade on my 14 and find cowl removal a no brainer even single person. The anti-splat nose fairing guard makes it easer. Hopefully the 10 will be the same but I think it will be ok. Smoothness and performance seem very good but I am probably biased.