Prop advice needed urgently

[Henni]

Hi everyone,

I've spoken to more than one person today that informed me that the Ivoprop on my Mizer is not one of the best performers.

I once put a Geo Kelly prop on my MAC CDL just before selling it, & boy, what a difference in climb performance it made. It had a curled trailing edge with a indented leading edge.

I need a new prop for my Mizer (582 with B type gearbox) to increase climb performance with two aboard & I need it yesterday.

Can anyone suggest something that might be available locally. If not, I'll have to import a Power Fin as soon as possible.

Please, I need your advice urgently.

Regards,

Henni

[Griffin]

you have a PM

[Henni]

Hi everyone,

I've just spoken twice to Nigel from NC Props. Seems like my biggest problem is the 2.58:1 ratio on my B type gearbox with a three blade prop.

He doubts whether another prop on that same gearbox would make a worthwile difference to my problem.

Changing the box or gear ratio would mean lifting the engine/prop installation as I do not have enough prop clearance as is.

Now I need even more advice. I'm going to try to speak to Bert, but in the meantime, has anyone else been in a similar situation and what did you do to remedy.

Thank you for any advice.

Henni

[Henni]

Hi everyone,

I've just tried to contac Bert at 082 567 0811 - Subscriber not available.

Can anyone help please?

Henni

[Henni]

Hi all,

Spoke to Pieter de Necker - 2.58:1 is the standard box for the Mizer. Replacing the prop with a two blade wooden prop with that box should give a climb rate of 200 - 300 fpm at the rand two up. He knows, he had a Mizer for many years and loved it. He even flew to Margate in his! So not worth the change as that's more or less what I get right now.

A three blade prop with that box sits right on the limit of where it's advantageous, so also no good.

Answer, even in his opinion, would be to change to a 3.47:1 box which means some modifications for the longer prop to clear the airframe. If I can find such a gearbox at a reasonable price, I will definitely go that route though.

Any offers out there on a 2nd hand C type 3.47:1 gearbox?

In the mean time I'll just shut up & fly. Hopefully I can find a base with a longer & unobstructed runway.

Any new & available base suggestions close to Centurion? (Hangarage)

Henni

[nicow]

Henni
Base suggestion:Potgietersrus Runway 1.8km tar.Hanger space@R250/month.
nicow
ZU-AWA

[Duck Rogers]

[Duck Rogers]

.....Answer, even in his opinion, would be to change to a 3.37 box which means some modifications for the longer prop to clear the airframe.

I think you probably meant to say 3.47
Rotax don't make a 3.37 ratio

[Henni]

Hi all,

Yes, sorry, my mistake - I've now corrected it.

Thanks for the runway suggestion - a bit far from Centurion though.

I had a beautiful flight this morning. One up I can easily cruise at 55 - 60 mph using only 5600 RPM. I also have a very good climb rate in that configuration.

Someone with the same gearbox as mine told me of the exceptional climb performance he has two up in his Challenger using a 60 inch Powerfin prop.

Nigel from NC Props says that His version is even better, but he only caters for the 72 inch prop sizes.

Seems as if it's either a type C box with a new prop, or a Powerfin prop on my existing box for me then. I will keep you posted with the new performance figures as soon as I've installed.

Henni

[Cloud Warrior]

Is that why the Mizer seems to climb out so slowly? There was one based at Saldanha a couple of years ago and on the few odd occasions I saw it fly it seemed to take a moerse long time to gain any altitude. I thought it might be due to all the wires making it less streamlined or something.

[Morph]

This is the Mizer from Saldanha

[Henni]

Hi,

Yes, this is the same one. Flew it in Saldanha & performance was GREAT! But up here at the highveld things changed a bit.

Not to worry though, I WILL sort this out. a Pitty that George Kelly is no longer in the country. The wooden two blade prop supplied by him, as mentioned earlier, really, but really impressed me! I've never seen another prop shaped like that again. It had a step in the whole length of the leading edge and a very pronounced curl all throughout the trailing edge.

Now if I can find someone who will build me a prop like that, my problem will be put to bed, PERIOD! Else I'll go for a Powerfin or a NC prop.

Pieter de Nekker told me the difference in thrust between a 60 inch and a 72 inch prop (2.58:1 versus 3.47:1 gearbox) and it's nearly twice as much. This would be my last option for consideration as it would mean a new gearbox plus other airframe changes.

I purchased my Mizer at a good price. It cost me another R10k (or close) to get it here. If I pay another R20k for another gearbox, then just maybe I've spent too much. I'm willing to spend R6k on a prop though.

Let me just put things in perspective though. I'm very, very happy with my Mizer as such, even though it's old and only the MKIIA version. The colours are a bit faded, but that will be corrected in the near future. If I can thus gain better climb performance at full gross, I'll even be happier.

I'm totally convinced that this can & will be achieved soon. Please don't get me wrong: This thread is not about my woes, but about suggestions for a better & more effecient prop. Even if nothing else happens & I find a base with a longer and less obstructed runway, my problem will also be solved. The main concern is for me and my PAX if anything should go wrong during takeoff where I operate from for now.

Keep well and thank you for all the feedback. Morph, please relay my regards to Ron.

Henni

[Henni]

Hi everyone,

Just an update on my Mizer's performance for those interested.

Over the past two days I've:

1. Rejetted my Mizer for our altitude at the reef.
2. Re-adjusted my Ivoprop's pitch.
3. Re-adjusted my horizontal stabilizer incidence.
4. Got rid of the extra radiator on top.
5. Installed new plugs.

Now, both Rudi, Clinton and quite a few over at Rhino will confirm that my initial climb rate (my biggest complaint to now) has nearly trippled! My take-off distance has nearly halved! My max speed went up by 7-10mph!

Next step will be a Powerfin prop as NC Props do not make a model for my gear ratio - this will be another huge improvement. Someone gave me an South African contact for someone who designs & fabricates tuned pipes for the Rotax 582 pushing the output up to 79hp - this will be done soon! (Safe if used with caution for short periods only) Then will follow all sorts of streamlining (spats, fairings, windshield etc.)

At this stage I'm all in extacy on my new improved performance - solo she will take-off & climb straight along most 582 trikes (I think... ) which is absolutely stunning! Especially for a Mizer

Keep well,
Henni

[grostek]

Hi Henni,

Thanks for posting.

It just shows what can be done to improve the performance of even "old" aircraft if you try.

Can you maybe tell us how much (little) you spend to get it to this stage.

Kind regards,

Gunter Rostek.

[Henni]

Can you maybe tell us how much (little) you spend to get it to this stage.

Hi Gunter,

I keep to my original statement that more aeroplane simply CANNOT be had for less money.

I paid R40k for the Mizer. 10k everything included to get it here. R120 for two new size 158 (from 165) main jets - 1/2 hour free labour to install.

I always observed the much required up elevator with two aboard. Well, seemingly this caused a lot of unwanted drag, so today I changed the incidence & it makes for a huge flying improvement - free, about 1 hour labour only.

Temps always ran rather low, so today I decided to get rid of the third small radiator on top of the king post. Now, for the first time temps are running normal (yes, today was rather warm) and this took a huge air brake out of the air stream - free, about two hours worth of labour.

4 New NGK B8ES plugs plus a feeler gauge - R100. Labour about 1 hour, free of course.

Borrowed a huge shifting spanner and re-adjusted the Ivoprop's pitch for 6200rpm static. Now reaches 6800rpm flat out at max speed - free, 2 hours worth of labour - huge improvement.

Thus, to date my Mizer still cost me around R55k only. There are many at Rhino who will vouch for her bad weather coping ability & every so often this brings compliments.

I am not overstating the improved climb performance - those who saw her performance today were truly amazed. She is alltogether another aeroplane and I'm elated, to put it mildly.

Regards,
Henni