Best in Safety-Performance-Durability-Quality-Value

Selecting a Propeller - The place to begin in selecting a propeller for your aircraft is to find out what the aircraft kit manufacturer recommends for a propeller (e.g. make/model, diameter).  In selecting the right propeller for your aircraft, consideration needs to be given to recommended blade ground clearance, your engine's horsepower, take-off and cruise propeller rpm, and expected cruise air speed.  Higher engine horsepower generally means higher achievable cruise air speed.  Propeller rpm and blade length affect 1) propeller blade tip speed, where it is desirable to stay subsonic (e.g. less than Mach 0.85) at blade tips to minimize aerodynamic losses, and 2) generated acoustic noise.  Also, the propeller diameter needs to be sufficient, for your aircraft cowl blockage, to provide enough total blade surface area to absorb the engine shaft horsepower under all flight conditions.  The number of propeller blades (e.g. 2 or 3) largely depends upon the propeller manufacturer's blade design (e.g. chord width), propeller diameter, engine horsepower, and desired trade-off between climb and cruise performance.  If both 2-bladed and 3-bladed propellers are offered by a given propeller manufacturer, then for a given engine horsepower, then their 2-bladed propeller will generally give somewhat higher cruise speed (less total blade area/drag) than the 3-bladed propeller.  The 3-bladed propeller will generally develop more thrust during take-off and climb, at the lower air speed, than will the 2-bladed propeller.  Finally, propeller weight will affect your aircraft's center of gravity (CG).  If your aircraft tends to be nose heavy, then a lighter propeller can generally help with a CG problem.  The Table below lists AeroComposites' propeller models (both tractor and pusher configuration) available for experimental category aircraft/engine applications.  AeroComposites will work closely with you to select the proper propeller for your aircraft relative to your requirements taking into account the considerations discussed above.

Propeller Models - AeroComposites designs and manufactures constant speed propellers for a wide range of experimental category aircraft using engines with power ratings from 160 to 600 horsepower. Performance flight data for AeroComposites propellers, for many different applications, has consistently shown excellent climb and cruise performance, with cruise speeds ranging from 180 mph to speeds approaching 400 mph (top speed largely dependent on the aircraft/engine combination). The constant speed control system makes use of standard governors (e.g. McCauley, Hartzell, Woodward) that are hydraulic making use of engine oil. AeroComposites propellers include both 2 and 3-bladed models with diameters ranging from 68 inches to 80 inches.  AeroComposite propellers represent the most advanced propeller technology in general aviation today; best in safety-performance-durability-quality-value.

The Table below lists AeroComposite propeller models, together with specifications and prices for various engines/horsepower. If your engine model is not listed in the Table or you have questions specific to your application, please call us at (860) 829-6809 or send us an email at info@aerocomposites.com.

Spinner Kits - The Table below also lists Spinner Kit prices for each Propeller Model.  The spinner cone and forward bulkheads are of composite (fiberglass/carbon) construction.  The rear bulkhead can be of either composite or spun/machined aluminum construction.  The kits include detailed finishing instructions including pictures (typical time to finish the kit is 5 hours), all hardware required for completing the spinner assembly, spinner cone aligned with the rear bulkhead with line-drilled holes between the two pieces, forward composite honeycomb bulkhead bonded inside of spinner cone with ID molded urethane gasket, and the large blade holes scribed on outside of the spinner cone for builder cutout. Painting of the spinner is left to the builder to allow color matching with that of the the aircraft.

The AeroComposite spinner kits have been designed for spinner installations that are extremely durable and trouble free (e.g. avoid cracking).  The rear bulkhead bolts directly to multiple bosses, with threaded studs, machined integral with the AeroComposites hubs.  The spinner backplate attaches to the multiple hub boss studs using specially machined washers to distribute the load on the backplate in operation avoiding the development of stress cracks in operation.  The spinners are aligned to turn true on axis without wobble, the cutout holes for the blades are close tolerance to minimize aerodynamic drag, the front spinner cone bulkhead is rugged and fits closely on the hub piston cylinder by way of a special urethane molded gasket (installed on the inside cutout diameter of the honeycomb bulkhead).  Finally, the spinner cone pieces cutout for the blades come with formed metal backing plates to avoid spinner cone cracking in operation.     

If you already have purchased a spinner cone and backplate (e.g. for Lancair IV, Van's RV, Glasair) for your aircraft, we can generally use your parts and will credit you for their cost. The spinner diagram included here shows the critical spinner installation dimensions we will need for your installation.  With these dimensions, we can determine hub dimensions customized for your aircraft and prepare the spinner kit to insure a perfect propeller fit-up with your engine flange and aircraft cowl. Since we have already manufactured spinner kits for most high performance experimental aircraft models, we probably already have the critical spinner/hub dimensions required for your aircraft/engine installation.

Cowl Fixtures - To assist builders, AeroComposites has made up cowl fixtures for builder use in setting the aircraft cowl prior to receiving our propeller.  This allows builders to continue to make progress in building their aircraft (e.g. set their cowl) without the need for the propeller for the fit-up.  There is a nominal fee charged for use of one of the AeroComposites cowl fixtures, which covers the cost of fixture shipping and handling.   The builder is asked to pay shipping costs for returning the fixture to AeroComposites or on to the next AeroComposites customer.


                Propeller Models and Prices (subject to change without notice)

_NOTES:

_{(1) Propeller weights are based on the use of standard (compact) design hubs.  If one of our  standard long hubs is required for your installation, this may add a couple of pounds to the weights published above.  Also, weight of the spinner assembly is not included.}    

_{(2) Some aircraft may require custom (non-standard) AeroComposite hubs which may add a nominal charge for engineering installation studies and CNC manufacturing setup/program changes.  Prices above do not include shipping and handling charges, where shipping is from our propeller assembly location in Redding, California.  Typical propeller shipping charges, dependent on customer location in the USA, run from $200 to more than $400 (e.g. 3-bladed propellers) which includes the cost of shipping container, handling charges, insurance, and transportation.  We will work with you to define the least expensive way to deliver your propeller.}  

_{(3) Spinner Kit includes all hardware required for your spinner installation, instructions for finishing the kit, alignment of cone/back-plate (holes line-drilled between the two pieces), front bulkhead installed in the cone, and large blade holes scribed for cutout on spinner cone. Some fabrication work, final assembly, and painting is required of the builder.}

Custom Paint (Option) - Standard Paint on blades is included in our propeller prices.  This includes black paint on the back side of blades to reduce glare.  The front side of blades are painted white with 3 tip stripes (picture at right, red-white-blue tip stripes). 

Through our manufacturing team member, American Propeller Service, we offer custom paint/design (picture below at left of one custom paint/design scheme) for your propeller blades/spinner to compliment or match your aircraft paint scheme.  Call American Propeller Service (1-800-292-7767) directly to discuss the custom paint option/choices and receive a price quotation (visit the American Propeller web site at www.americanpropeller.com).  Their graphic designer can work with you to generate a design to compliment your aircraft.   If you have your own design in mind, this can be implemented also.