I have flown a number of props on my KR. As long as it is the right pitch to allow your engine to turn up in the air, it will work out OK. Most of the differences from brand to brand seem to show up in cruise performance. The longer the blade, the better the take off performance, so use as long of a prop as you can safely turn for high DA, but don't skimp on prop ground clearance. Reduced prop length will translate into a longer take off run and slightly less climb, but won't make a huge impact on the overall speed at cruise.
For the last several years I've been flying a prop from Prince Propellers and have been pretty pleased with it. I would rate the high density altitude take off as average, but the cruise performance as superior to the other props I've tried. Right now, the ground adjustable prop from Whirlwind has kind of piqued my interest. With the Carbon Fiber on my Prince prop starting to show some bubbling under the finish, I may get interested enough to buy a Whirlwind in the next year or two. At a density altitude of 10,000' and 1200# gross, I use roughly 2200 - 2500' of runway to get airborne. That's a substantial difference from the 500 - 600' I might use when I get to visit Mt Vernon (480' MSL) for the Gathering. But with the high DA, even my 160 HP SuperCub will use close to 1000' of runway. I've worked with Ed Sterba on props for a VW powered STOL plane that I built. Nice guy. Knowledgeable. Easy to deal with. But overall we weren't very successful in getting something appropriate for that plane. But Ed does enjoy a good reputation in the KR world which is really in a different spectrum of props from the STOL planes. -Jeff Scott Los Alamos, NM ----- Original Message ----- From: Glenn Martin Sent: 05/22/12 10:43 AM To: Adam Day, KRnet Subject: Re: KR> density altitude When I emailed Ed Sterba and inquired about props , he seemd quite a wealth of information, for all altitudes and engines.. Very nice gent also. Sterba Prop is on my list. Glenn Martin KR2 N1333A Biloxi, MS ________________________________ From: Adam Day <adamo...@yahoo.com> My question is does any on here have a KR based at high altitude or frequently go above 10,000 feet ? and if so what engine are you using and how the plane handles, climb and cruise with a given prop? Adam Day
