Jason Arnold

Hi Guys,

Just wondering what people's experiences are with the new lightweight Falcon props.

Are they durable enough for the job i.e. do they break with the smallest prop strike? I fly off grass and while ground clearance on my Spark is not an issue, occasionally when taxiing back in wind the tail will lift to the point where the prop momentarily touches until I kill the power. It doesn't happen often, but it does happen. The RASA has survived very well to date.

Are you able to ream out the hub to 12mm (AXI 5325/24)?

I currently use the RASA 20.5 x 14 and was considering trying out the Falcon 37 gram prop.

Cheers,
Jason.

Rune

Hi
I have tried one , nice power but I hade wery lightweight wheels on my Spark and on the last flight I did with i before winter one off the wheel broke in a landing and the prop strike ..not hard but just a bit and it got a smal crack...but it was wery silent , I have a himax 210 in the Spark but think maybe to try a 21x14 light falcon ..think I saw that on the f3a unlimited web, dont know about the hole in it as I used it as it was

Jason Arnold

Thanks for that Rune.

Do you know where the Falcon props are made?

Cheers,
Jason.

Rune

nope ..got mine at F3a Unlimited!!

f3a05

It always surprises me a bit when that 12mm AXi prop shaft is mentioned.
AXi does an 8mm alternative which is more convenient (and less weakening) for most props.
I've used the 8mm size without problems (coping OK with a few knocks and bumps along the way).
Part number is,or was, PH8.

Jason Arnold

Yes, an 8mm adaptor is available but that requires mounting the motor from the rear. This is not the recommended mounting method as per Jan @ AXI. The gyroscopic effects on the bearings is greater if you mount from the rear with the big diameter props we use. AXI have actually modified the 5345 series motors to have a massive bearing to support the can. This is the HD series. Mounting from the rear also means the motor has to come out the nose ring for removal. That is unless you make some special two piece mount. The Spark has quite a small nose ring so this is not really practical.

It's usually not a drama to ream out to 12mm. It's only 2mm each side of the existing hole..... But, I had to ask the question. An e-mail has been sent to Falcon Props too but no response yet.

The other question that arrises is which prop? I currently use a RASA 20.5 x 14 and the Falcon V2 comes in 20.5 x 14.5 & 21 x 14. Which is closer to the RASA 20.5 x 14 load wise? It must be close. My thinking is smaller diameter would be better due to the gyroscopic effect. Perhaps someone has done tests with both and can steer me in the right direction?

Cheers,
Jason.

Henning

China


Regards,
Henning

Jason Arnold

Thanks Henning,

I suspected that was the case.

Cheers,
Jason.

Strat2003

My Feedback: (1)

My friend Rick damaged the tips on one just by striking the long-ish "rough" bordering our field.
He also destroyed one when the motor mount pulled out of his airplane, but that's another story

rcpattern

My Feedback: (45)

I've been using one and love how it feels on the plane. I actually changed it during a contest as I was just curious as to what it would do and have never removed it. Has a slightly different feel with the faster spool up and spool down, but was very easy to get used to. It is a very fragile prop though and I have been very careful with it. If the grass at our field is even slightly high I wont try to taxi with it.

Arch

danlandis

I have been flying one for about 6 months now and its running great.  Like Arch said I dont taxi in tall grass with it, but the performance is great!!  I got mine from www.falconpropellers.com

serious power

Are you able to ream out the hub to 12mm (AXI 5325/24)?

Cheers,
Jason.
[/quote]

Hi,
I would think not.
At this weight the hub will be hollow with wall of fibers around the 8mm hole and another one around the outside surfaces of the hub.
If someone has a broken one perhaps they would cut through the hub and tell you .

Brian

danlandis

Hi Jason,

Not sure the size of the hub, but I am using the rear AXi hub on my NEU motor and have the prop drilled out to fit with no problems.

serious power

Hi,
Is your hub 8mm or 12mm ?? The difference may be significant to prop integrity.

Brian

Jason Arnold

Hi Dan,

Do the adaptor you're using has the grub screws to secure to the shaft? If this is the case, it's 12mm diameter.

Thanks for all your input guys.

It looks like they are a great prop but fragile as I expected. The lower rotating mass I suspect will make the prop equivalent to the 20.5 x 14 RASA load wise.

Cheers,
Jason.

danlandis

Hi Jason,

Yes, it is the one with the two grub screws.  I have about 75 flights on the prop now and its doing great!

Jason Arnold

Cheers Dan,

The AXI prop adaptor is actually quite light and strong. I usually shorten it and pin it to the spinner back plate. I also drill a few lightening holes in it and the backplate too & put a 5mm drill up the middle of it .

Cheers,
Jason.

danlandis

Hi Jason,

Those are good ideas.  But yes it is very light and strong and that is what I like about it.