RiddleTag Posted June 14, 2021 Report Share Posted June 14, 2021 Hey fellow MS’ers, got another few questions for y’all. Just got my overhaul of the TIO-540 done and avionics done in 63W. I am now thinking about ordering a new MT prop for it. The stocker is looking pretty rough and I thought this would be a nice upgrade. Here are my questions: 1. I have seen some good praise of the 4 blade prop for the Bravo. Does anyone have a reason why this wouldn’t be a good upgrade? Maybe some experience or customer service issues? I am definitely getting the nickel leading edges as they seem to be the way to go. 2. I am being quoted just under 20k for the prop, spinner, TKS nozzles and the nickel leading edges. Does this seem to be about right or should I keep shopping around? John at Mcfarlane Aviation is the one I am working with. 3. I am being told since this prop is being ordered, I can pick which color I want for it. I am leaning toward a black prop with the white tips, but am open to seeing what others have done before I make the final decision. Pics would be a plus. I am kinda bummed that they don’t have a polished spinner option as I like that look on this plane. Thanks in advance for the advice/opinions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MB65E Posted June 14, 2021 Report Share Posted June 14, 2021 John at McFarlane is great to work with. However, They use RL carriers for shipping- they suck in LA. I ended up hiring buddy of mine with a moving company to pick it up on the last leg of the trip. The prop I ordered took 9mo to get when promised 6mo. They drop ship directly from Germany. The paint issues are much better with MT now days. I would get white as painting composite black is still not a good idea. I’ve heard good things regarding performance from their latest blade designed. -Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Cline Posted June 14, 2021 Report Share Posted June 14, 2021 Whats the weight difference between 3 vs. 4 blades? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niko182 Posted June 14, 2021 Report Share Posted June 14, 2021 16 minutes ago, Mark Cline said: Whats the weight difference between 3 vs. 4 blades? I believe the 4 blade is about 25 pounds lighter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carusoam Posted June 14, 2021 Report Share Posted June 14, 2021 There don’t seem to be any outstanding complaints by people that own MT props… Early on… the choice of leading edge protection was challenging…. Nickel seems to be the final word… Paint wouldn’t stick very well…. And had a tendency to peal back from the leading edge… But… that was about a decade ago… Getting a prop built takes months… no matter what the production schedule has in front of you… Around here there is a handful of MT props on everything from Cs, to Js, to Rockets, to Bravos… They look cool… P51 cool… They are great for WnB… both the W and the B… you might free up some Charlie weight in the trunk. The lower flywheel momentum is different but not an issue… They are used on turbines as well… They sound vastly different to the outside world… Four vs. three blades… there is more drag with the extra blade. Which counts when flying around in high density air… Most Bravos don’t hang out very long in high density air… the MT is pretty good at climbing as well… PP thoughts only, not a mechanic… Best regards, -a- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LANCECASPER Posted June 14, 2021 Report Share Posted June 14, 2021 @Cody Stallings @FoxMikePlease chime in. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philiplane Posted June 14, 2021 Report Share Posted June 14, 2021 The only reason the four blade exists is to satisfy European noise requirements. The smaller diameter reduces the tip speed and thereby lowers the noise output. Most props optimized for the flight levels have wide, scimitar style blades. The MT four blade does not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiddleTag Posted June 15, 2021 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2021 @Niko182I have heard the same thing about the weight savings. Heck, if I can put this thing on more of a diet then I already have and shift the CG more aft to take full advantage of the Max Gross Weight, then I’m all for it. @carusoamI agree with the looks. I saw a Bravo the other day on the ground and it immediately caught my attention. Damn good looking if you ask me. Also, if it ends up being a little quieter, that would be great! This thing is quite noisy. Lastly, I’m hoping that it smooths out the vibration the plane has a bit. Make those long cross countries a little more comfortable. Thanks for the comments so far guys. Keep ‘em coming! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cody Stallings Posted June 15, 2021 Report Share Posted June 15, 2021 Pair of Cheyanne LS400 MT 5 way props. Picked these propellers up to Disassemble for export. Feel free to zoom. 450Hr TT These props turn a Max of 1591 RPMs to. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carusoam Posted June 15, 2021 Report Share Posted June 15, 2021 Picture for a minute…. a five bladed prop mounted on a Mooney Rocket!!! Thread title… Rocket zooms to the flight levels! Go Cody! Best regards, -a- 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aviatoreb Posted June 15, 2021 Report Share Posted June 15, 2021 Just now, carusoam said: Picture for a minute…. a five bladed prop mounted on a Mooney Rocket!!! Thread title… Rocket zooms to the flight levels! Go Cody! Best regards, -a- 5 blades - because 4 isn't enough! E 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FoxMike Posted June 15, 2021 Report Share Posted June 15, 2021 The MT equipped with nickel steel leading edge is 10 puunda lighter than than the McCauley on a Bravo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Cline Posted June 15, 2021 Report Share Posted June 15, 2021 Are the cruise airspeeds identical for the factory 3 blade McCauley versus 4 blade MT? How much quieter is the cabin? I agree, anything at all that can provide a few more useful load pounds and shift the CG back for a M is worth consideration. Can anyone with a MT prop on a Bravo report how much farther back their CG went? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LANCECASPER Posted June 15, 2021 Report Share Posted June 15, 2021 4 hours ago, Mark Cline said: Are the cruise airspeeds identical for the factory 3 blade McCauley versus 4 blade MT? How much quieter is the cabin? I agree, anything at all that can provide a few more useful load pounds and shift the CG back for a M is worth consideration. Can anyone with a MT prop on a Bravo report how much farther back their CG went? If you're justifying $20,000 for an extra 10 lbs. useful load, try the low carb diet . . lol 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aviatoreb Posted June 15, 2021 Report Share Posted June 15, 2021 Is it really only 10lbs off the nose? On the MT 4 blade for my rocket it was 35lbs off the nose which had a major (good) impact on the balance. But then again that old McCauley it replaced was huge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niko182 Posted June 15, 2021 Report Share Posted June 15, 2021 2 hours ago, LANCECASPER said: What are we looking for here? The abrasion? Looks like the back right blade seems to be missing the nickel edge. Maybe? Picture is a bit blury. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cody Stallings Posted June 16, 2021 Report Share Posted June 16, 2021 11 hours ago, LANCECASPER said: What are we looking for here? The abrasion? Missing paint, an if you could see all 10 blades you would notice 8 are leaking grease. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philiplane Posted June 19, 2021 Report Share Posted June 19, 2021 (edited) those are rare. I put a set of 5 blade MT's on a friend's Cheyenne 400 in 2012. It was only the third set in existence at that time. There were only 44 400's built and I think there are 38 left flying. The MT props cost less than the overhaul of the Dowty 4 blades, and the performance was much better, with a reduced noise signature. In the nine years in service, the MT 5 blades on this Cheyenne 400 have been trouble free. I wish I could say that about all other MT props, which have a reputation for leaks. Edited June 19, 2021 by philiplane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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