ORIGINAL: ChuckW
ORIGINAL: gaRCfield
OK so my running an 11x5 at 13000rpm on the ground is just fine then... right?
It isn't a problem at all. In my experience that is the "sweet spot" for the .46-AX. It likely unloads once in the air and is turning a little faster than what you get on the ground. RPM is good for tuning but ultimately the way the plane flys is what's most important. I know racing and other stuff gets a little more complicated but we're talking trainers and sport planes.
I do recommend experimenting with props at some point after a pilot advances though. Even if you don't find anything you like better, you learn how shape, diameter and pitch affect flight characteristics. This will help with prop selection on planes down the road.
Actually this is exactly what I was doing today. I like the 11x5, but was seeing what different characteristics I get from different props. I decided today that I'm not crazy about the 12x5, but I was playing with it anyway to see what it did differently. Flew with both; didn't have a prop reamer or drill bit to get my 11x6 on with though, and want to try a 12x6 as well.
Glad to hear 13000rpm is ok though. It was suggested I richen the needle a bit because of that (people said they saw a lack of smoke from my exhaust, only on high speed low passes when I climbed away. I do the pinch test though, and make sure there is plenty of an rpm spike when I pinch.