Sending out an order to Tower Hobbies today and I need to know. I received this post in my thread . . .
. . . and was wondering if the propellor material is all that important for either beginner fliers or trainer airplanes. Master Airscrew appears to only make wooden propellors so are they OK for trainers and beginner pilots, or should beginners and/or trainers stick to nylon props? If I'd be better off with nylon, what is a good brand that fits good into plastic spinners without having to trim or too much fuss?

Thank you for any speedy answers I can get.

Master Airscrew makes both wood and composite props. Whether or not any prop will interfere with the spinner is a question only trying it on will answer. Thatever brand or material of prop you decide on, make SURE the spinner cone does NOT touch the prop blade. In fact, why not use a safety nut, like made by Great Planes and Dubro?

Dr.1

If I can not find a prop to fit this spinner I will be using the prop nut that is on the engine now, I just like the look of spinners better is all and I prefer to use one if I can.

And all I can find at Tower Hobbies from Master Airscrew are wooden.

Use the spinner--for two reasons--aerodynamics around the prop, and safety. I've had engines throw props before, and the spinner was the only thing that kept the prop from flying off and hurting someone. Unbelievably, it didn't even break the spinner. Had it broken the spinner, though, it would have still been money well spent!

Enlarging spinners isn't a very big deal at all. In fact, for most props on .46 sized motors, you won't have to enlarge the spinner holes at all--especially if you stay with a conventional 10 or 11 inch prop, and get a 2 1/2 inch or 2 3/4 inch spinner.

I am thinking of ordering a 11 X 6 Master Airscrew wooden prop from Tower Hobbies for my LT-40 which I am using a .46 engine with a 2" spinner. I would like to know if that is OK for my trainer with me being a never-before-flown pilot?

If you are going to order a MA wood prop, you BETTER order about a dozen as a begginer. Wood props and new fliers don't usually last very long. MA makes nylon props and when you make your order with Tower just tell them thats what you want or APC which ever, but stay away from the wood props for awhile. Trimming the spinner is no big deal if you have to. ENJOY !!! RED

OK, I will hold off on getting the propellor from Tower Hobbies as they only have wooden props from Master Airscrew. I am going to order them directly from the MA website.

Which of these nylon props would be better for the LT-40? I am getting a 11 X 6 for my LT-40.

http://www.masterairscrew.com/GoCart...sp?RootID=7039

http://www.masterairscrew.com/GoCart...sp?RootID=1059

Before you order, you'd better go back to Tower Hobbies and look again. Their website lists 10 x 6, 11 x 6, 11 x 5, 11 x 7, and 10 x 7 in GF two-stroke MASTER AIRSCREW props, and 13 x 6, 12 x 6, and 14 x 6 in 4 stroke props. They also list an 11 x 7 three- blade prop.

Get the 11 x 5 GF MASTER AIRSCREW prop.

Dr.1

What do you mean Tower only wooden Master Airscrew props? Try this category: http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...P?&C=QBC&V=MAS
Here's one from Tower that would work fine: http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXZ971&P=0

[link]http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/WTI0091P?&C=QBC&V=MAS[/link]

Here is a link to about 105 different "Glass Filled/Composite" propellers listed on Tower's website. I try to tell beginners to stay as far away from wood props at they can. The problem with wood props is as soon as you touch it to the runway it will shatter, no if's, and's, or but's. And I have never seen a new pilot that didn't touch the runway with a prop. It's going to happen. I have found that the Master Airscrew Glass filled props really are the most forgiving propellers for beginners. They can take quite a beating and still work well on the plane. And since you are learning you are going to be rough on a prop, as well as the rest of the plane. It just goes with the territory of learning. It happens. Get your props from the link I posted above and you will be fine.

As I said in your LT-40 thread, use the blue spinner you want to on your plane and trim it to fit the props. It really only takes a few minutes with an X-acto knife to trim the spinner to fit the prop. I know that this may scare you, but it's part of the hobby. It's really no big deal to trim spinners. Like I said before, just trim it back so the spinner doesn't touch the blade of the prop. Look at the attached diagram to get an idea of what I mean.

Ken

DO NOT GET A WOODEN PROP. APC PROPS ARE GREAT I FLEW AN 11X7 ON MY LT. I'VE SEEN SO MANY WOOD PROPS LOOSEN UP FROM HUMIDTY MAKING THE WOOD SWELL THEN THE AIR DRYING UP AND THE PROP IS LOOSE. JUST NOT WORTH THE TROUBLE

MAS nylon/fiberglass 11x5. good braking action for landings,,,,,,,,worked very well on my 2 LT 40s. for abit more speed, 11x6. But have both in field box in groups of 3 or 4

Thank you all for your sound advice. Greatly appreciated. While I was at the Tower Hobbies site looking for props I did not pay attention to the "next page" link [sm=bananahead.gif][sm=bananahead.gif] so that is why I assumed Master Airscrew only had wood props in Tower Hobbies.

I just placed an order at Tower Hobbies for $100.00 (including Early Bird Bonus for spending over $100) which includes:
3 pk sock iron cover http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXHZ20&P=0 ;
Great Planes dead center hole locator http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXK378&P=7 ;
Cool Hand covering glove http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXHZ22&P=0 ;
Coverite fabric 6' rolls of middle blue http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXB196&P=0 , dark red http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXB187&P=0 & white http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXB185&P=0 ;
control surface deflection meter http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXET68&P=0 ;
quick drill set [seen Ken using these in his build thread and had to get'em] http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXL469&P=0 ;
and a Master Screw 11X5 G/F nylon propellor http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXZ970&P=0

Even though MA composite props are tough, you might should have ordered a couple of extras.

Dr.1

Hopefully you ordered more than one prop. The Master Aircrew props are fairly tough but you will break some while learning (and after) to fly. Lots of times Tower has quantity discounts on props where you order 6 for the price of 5. If I order props, that's usually how I do it. If I buy at the hobby shop I get 2 or 3 at a time.

I always order props 2 at a time for just that reason. Murphy's law of propellers-- If you only have one propeller and no spare, you're sure to break it at the field!!!

Ken

I will be getting plenty more when I start putting my flight box together this Spring/Summer, I only got one now to get me started so I have something to put on the engine. I also know I will be needing tons more flight accessories that I don't know where to begin. Any suggestions for flight box accessories that I might possibly forget that is a MUST NEED?

"Must need" can be easily defined as 'anything replaceable or reasonably repairable that would put you out of flying the the day'.

Props
Glow plugs
Fuel line
Prop nut and/or spinner
Wheel collars and a wheel
Servo screws
Other hardware
Wing and landing gear bolts (if used)
Rubber bands (if used)
CA and kicker
Other hardware that might fall off
100 MPH tape (clear packing tape)

It's not really a large list. All of my spares AND tools are in a two tray 13" toolbox I got from Big Lots for about $5.

As for parts and tools: take only what you need but take all you need.

Dr.1

I did the same thing when I first learned, I brought a ton of accessories to the flight line. After a few years I got tired of lugging a huge heavy box to the flight line. So I shed a lot of "junk". First off I got a box that had wheels on it so I wouldn't have to carry it. Then I put only what I needed to fly in that box. Fuel, starter, glow driver, fuel pump, tach, battery meter, plane tie down rope, battery for the starter, and paper towels. That's all the goes to the flight line with me. I have another small tool box that is in my truck that has a few wrenches in it, glow plugs, a couple of screwdrivers, packing tape, a small assortment of props, a prop reamer, sunscreen, and bug repellant. That's all that goes to the field with me. If I can't make a repair with those tools it's more than like too much damage to fix at the field anyway and would be easier to fix at home. I hate doing field repairs because they are frustrating to do in the first place and sometimes will just cause the plane to crash because I attempted too much of a repair at the field. I would rather just put the plane in the car and fix it when I get home. Trust me, the time isn't wasted if I can't fly because I have lots of friends at the field and talking to them is almost as good as flying is!!

Ok, somehow I managed to get up on a soapbox. Sorry about that. I'll get down now.!

Ken

I actually have a very similar philosophy. I've also only got the essentials in my flight box. I've got a much bigger tool box that stays in the car, or most of the time in the shop. I only make minor repairs at the field. However, I nearly always bring at least 2 planes so it's pretty easy to just put one away if it's got a problem.

Piper_chuck,
Yes, I forgot to mention that. I never go to the field without at least 2 planes. That way one plane damaged or needing repair won't kill my flying day.

Ken

You mean you guys actually CRASH?

Dr.1

Only when I'm tired. The rest of the time it's one of my planes that crashes. But the cause is never pilot error, it's always radio interference.

You too eh?