Hello Martin,
The first thing I noticed when I replaced the original 68” wooden GT prop on my 2012 Rotax 912ULS powered Tecnam P2008, with the Airmaster AP332/WWR68W was how smooth and quiet it was.
My first flight took me by surprise with the increase in takeoff and climb performance nothing short of impressive. The new takeoff distance required is difficult to judge because of the varying conditions of my grass home field but I believe that my time to airborne is consistently 30% less with the takeoff rpm pegged at 5750.
The original book rate of climb for my Tecnam at max all up weight is 600 feet per minute but under the same conditions I now get at least 850 fpm at the max continuous 5500 rpm climb setting.
I like to climb and cruise at full throttle to get the best from my plane but with my old prop I would have to be working the throttle constantly with every slight up or down draft to keep 5500 rpm and a cruise of 115kts TAS. Now I can leave the throttle wide and never touch it with the prop set to the much quieter cruise setting of 5050 rpm whilst at the same time getting at least 120kts TAS.
It is on approach to land that the Airmaster propeller really makes things more flexible, easier and safer. In the past, especially in summer, I could be perfectly set up on approach then encounter a thermal or a little mechanical lift and very soon, even with the throttle closed I would see my aiming point disappearing under the nose. Not a problem if my runway is kilometre long but if it is short then my only option was an aggressive sideslip at low altitude or a go-around. Now with the fine pitch of the Airmaster at it’s take off setting I get a wonderful breaking effect when I close the throttle to counter unexpected lift. For the same reason I can carry more speed to closer in on the approach which is real handy to fit in with faster traffic.
I am really pleased that I chose the white painted blades and spinner for it looks great with my mostly white plane. The propeller control is perfectly placed in the spare small instrument hole I had to the left of my left Skyview EFIS.
My Tecnam P2008 was a good little plane with it’s original propeller but now it is an exceptional plane with the Airmaster and represents some of the best money I have ever spent.
Colin Kelly
Te Aroha
New Zealand
