Cessna 180 Seaplane prop question

[skywagon8a]

The Hartzell PHC-C3YF-1RF/F8068 is the prop which I'm using on my 185. While it is heavier than the McCauley 2 or 3 blade, the smooth performance is superb and is the quietest of any others which I have used. The little extra weight was a worthwhile penalty. As noted in the TX Skyways link it is approved on most different engine models in both the 180 and 185. The folks at TX Skyways are a pleasure to do business with. I would not hesitate from recommending them to any of my friends. The prop arrived at my door direct from Hartzell within just a few days from placing the order.

After the first flight with this prop a friend asked me if I had used full power, it was so quiet. You would be very happy if you made this choice.

 

[JohnNielsen]

I hate to bother the Knopps since I'm pretty much a tire kicker at the moment. I would like to get some more climb performance out of my new-to-me 180 by upgrading to an 88" seaplane prop. If I make an investment in a prop, either new or overhauled - I'd like to have the option to p-ponk without having to buy yet another prop at that time. Maybe that's not possible - I'd like to know.

p-ponk does not (or no longer) lists a 2-blade option for the 180 on their web site. They list only the older C58/C66 threaded props for the 182:

http://pponk.com/engines/

The 83" MT 2 or 3-blade props are approved for use on ALL -470, -520 or -550 engines. The 2-blade is only 46 lbs. the 3-blade is 56 lbs. It takes HP to swing mass (you can absorb 100% of an engine HP with a metal club making zero thrust). Composite prop makers use this fact to be able to design more efficient blade profiles to absorb HP...that is why they are more efficient. Fact: airflow disturbance begins about .85 Mach. That results in reduced lift. The reason MT props are 83" is because of the thick chord that continues to provide massive lift at high angles of attack (think of the AOA your super cub wing can provide vs a stall that occurs long before that on a Citation shaped wing). MT makes alum and foam core composite blades also...but the ones that perform the best are the laminated spruce/beech wood core, Kevlar wrapped designs because wood does the best job at absorbing vibration and will never wear out or fatigue with flexing(wood is good). And they just began installing a thick nickel-cobalt leading edge to them that is tougher than steel.

John Nielsen