cgoldy
Registered User
Moogerah Queensland Australia
I fitted a whirlwind prop and am happy with the performance. But I have had problems with the balance ever since I installed it. GA200 with a carbon fibre spinner. Ballanced with the spinner mounted of course.
It was difficult to balance in the beginning but we finally got it near on perfect. I can't remember the number. But in flight I thought it was a bit average. Then I noticed that sometimes it was ok and other times it was poor. It continued to get worse over a month. I then noticed that in the morning at first flight, it usually was not to bad. But if I parked the plane and then returned it would be shocking. To the degree that I abandoned a return trip one day to find a prop ballacer. It was not safe.
Before we got a chance to rebalance it we noticed that the rear spinner bulkhead has quite a bit of flexion. It could be imagined that the spinner could get a wobble up in flight. I removed the spinner and bulkhead and it has been perfect ever since. No nead for a rebalance. Smooth as silk.
I rang WW and received a less than enthusiastic response to the issue. So before I go any further I wondered if any one else has experienced this. WW says that I am the only one.
Ideas- Heat radiated from the engine when parked affected the back plate? Heat from being parked outside in the sun affecting the backplate. Back plate not cured correctly? Back plate not pure carbon fibre? Need for front bulkhead like on the RV versions.
Col Goldy
It was difficult to balance in the beginning but we finally got it near on perfect. I can't remember the number. But in flight I thought it was a bit average. Then I noticed that sometimes it was ok and other times it was poor. It continued to get worse over a month. I then noticed that in the morning at first flight, it usually was not to bad. But if I parked the plane and then returned it would be shocking. To the degree that I abandoned a return trip one day to find a prop ballacer. It was not safe.
Before we got a chance to rebalance it we noticed that the rear spinner bulkhead has quite a bit of flexion. It could be imagined that the spinner could get a wobble up in flight. I removed the spinner and bulkhead and it has been perfect ever since. No nead for a rebalance. Smooth as silk.
I rang WW and received a less than enthusiastic response to the issue. So before I go any further I wondered if any one else has experienced this. WW says that I am the only one.
Ideas- Heat radiated from the engine when parked affected the back plate? Heat from being parked outside in the sun affecting the backplate. Back plate not cured correctly? Back plate not pure carbon fibre? Need for front bulkhead like on the RV versions.
Col Goldy