Although not a rotary issue, this was a post in response to yet another question about which engine/prop combo is best for an RV.  It’s from the So-Cal RV list.

 

 

>Engine  and prop selection will depend a lot on personal factors.

>

>For instance, if you have a tailwheel instead of a nosewheel, you

>will probably need to overcompensate in other ways.  Many guys do

>this by buying the bigger engine with C/S prop

>

>Likewise if you fly out of Chino you will probably need the bigger

>engine. Since nobody actually lives in Chino the additional speed is

>necessary to make the commute home more palatable. That 5

>minutes/per hour flight time savings feels real satisfying when

>you're going 10mph on the 91.

>

>If you plan on flying an all electric airplane with lot's of engine

>monitors and moving maps, then it doesn't matter.  There is no

>difference in perceived climb or speed when your head is buried in

>the cockpit.

>

>To make the best possible engine/prop decision you must eventually

>decide which of two groups you intend to please.  The first group is

>women.  The second group consists of aging, nerdy, often balding

>engineering type males.

>

>Women don't care about engines or props; with them you are better

>off going cheap and spending the differential buying them gifts and

>trying to get. . .

>

>The nerdy-male(NM) group requires not only a larger engine, but

>insist it be coupled with a constant speed prop.  Thus, while the

>O-320 fixed pitch guys are with the beautiful women, the NM's can

>spend endless hours discussing . . ."MANIFOLD PRESSURE"

>

>The engine/prop decision is ultimately about catering to one of

>these two groups.  Of course, if you are one of the NM's to begin

>with, you are already invisible to beautiful women and might as well

>buy the big engine and C/S prop.

>

>I hope I've been helpful.

>

>John Allen

>

> With all that in mind, I think my next project will be a......

>

> IO-540 RV-8 !!!!!!!!!!