There way a case in New Zealand back in the 60/70 of an ag pilot (crop duster) who had taken his C180 in for a AD prop check, all ok but on the flight but to his home base the prop let go and took the engine with it. Back and forth like a leaf he went until he landed, I have seen a photo of the 180 undamaged apart from nothing fire wall forward sitting in a paddock.I think the pilots name was Don Ecreg. As the story goes he walked to a farm house and phoned his engineer,
MY ENGINE IS MISSING (Q) HAVE YOU CHECKED THE PLUGS
(R) I WILL WENT I FIND THE ********** ENGINE. true story

If the C of G moves forward when you lose the prop, why not carry a spare one in the back, just in case? ;)

shytorque you have a point!


I've been looking at 3 bladed props because the mass must be more localised and I could fit one in the "boot" more easily!

Stik

Stik,
is the weight issue why so many people are going to composite MV props ? :confused: been doing some research on them myself ( mainly import) as my Hartzell on the Eagle is on its last 100 hrs ( might be same MV replacement model as yours ) - be interested in what you find re cost ....::{

This is what I was quoted for a new MT prop and spinner for a Lyc. AEIO-360-A1E engine
3-bladed hydraulic constant speed propeller with a diameter of 190cm.
9.930,00 Euros
2-bladed hydraulic constant speed propeller with the
diameter of 183cm:
8.530,00 Euros

I was very impressed by the whirlwind prop which all the aero boys are fitting in the US
See
http://www.whirlwindaviation.com
Its carbon fiber with a nickel leading edge I believe the blade is hollow and is made by inflating a bag inside the blade while the blade is in the mold Price is $8600 which compares well with MT and Hoffman.
Unfortunately its not certified and can only be used on homebuilts. The PFA have not yet approved it so it would take some paperwork to be able to get them to approve it over here

I'm not convinced that Stik , bless, has grasped the mettle regarding losing something "up front" and the subsequent aft change of cg.

Your nice new, light-weight MT wooden prop will reduce your MAUW, but might send the cg aft enough to exceed the aft legal limit. You could of course add a lump of swan-friendly lead to the firewall to compensate.

Stik: come to the fly-in that Pitts2112 is (hopefully) organising in Norfolk this summer: I will take you flying and demonstrate the effect to you (in fact I can only do it with you in the aircraft...how's the diet coming?:) )

Perhaps worse than the engine coming loose would be it hanging on by a cable or two, surrounded by splayed out, mangled cowling.

As if you didn't have enough troubles.