aftcg

My Feedback: (1)

What is the benefit of a fiberglass prop over a wooden prop?

Hopefully I'm calling them by the right name. The black props that cost much more than wood. I'm assuming those are fiberglass.

Do they not break as easy as wood?

The reason I'm wondering is yesterday my engine quit in mid-flight. I'm flying a new plane that floats forever. I under estimated its glide and overshot the runway. There was a ditch so the plane nosed over. No damage to plane, but the wooden prop (pro-Zinger 22x8)broke even though the engine it wasn't spinning.
Would another prop not have broken, such as a fiberglass?

shenion

Well, which is better, a broken prop or bent crankshaft?

There are basically a few types of props:

Nylon/fiberglass/resin
Carbon fiber/ Resin
Wood

The carbon fiber are nice as they do not tend to flex. Thus they maintain their pitch at high RPMs. The FEW I have tried broke suprisingly easy when the tips touched, but real real efficient pullers in the air.

The Nylon/Fiberglass/resin (composite) type vary according to brand and type. These usually are quite strong. But may bend crank before they break. They also may fail without warning ( I now make it a habit to throw out these type of props after I know they have been used and abused.)

Wood props tend to be the most fragile. But some brands are very strong.

I like the Pro-Zingers as they are strong wood props but not too stiff that you'll bend a crank.

I have a Menz wood that is very durable.

I have used the Dynathrust and Master Airscrew Nylon/Fiberglass props. Real durable, but too stiff to save crank on some engines.

I use the Top Flight wood props, they run great but have small hubs and will split real easily.