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Old 08-01-2004 | 01:45 PM
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Bob.R
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From: Canyon Lake, TX
Default Spinner/prop/cowl aero interaction

Can any of the professional or amateur aerodynamicists on this forum guide me to a technical source that addresses the interaction of spinner, prop, and cowl/fuselage. I've searched this forum, and I've reviewed my library, but I have not found this subject specifically discussed. I am designing/building a high speed aerobatic plane - structural (engine mounting) and aesthetic issues are driving the design towards a fairly large spinner diameter, specifically 2 3/4". First iteration prop choice to match airframe and engine characteristics is a 10x10. The cowl/fuse smoothly transitions to an elliptic cross section approximately 3.5" x 5" at the widest point, which is about 15" behind the spinner plate. As a percentage of prop diameter, this spinner size is somewhat larger than I have used in past designs, and I am out of my TLAR zone. There is obviously a percentage of prop diameter where the spinner will begin to significantly affect prop efficiency, but where that transition occurs is not intuitively obvious to me. Recommendations for technical sources or discussion of personal experience are much appreciated.