Helix strikes again!
We recently got the chance to do some A/B testing with a Rotax 915is powered JMB VL3. Stepping into the ring were the Helix 5-blade H42A VTL “Talon” ARC propeller, and the VL3’s OEM 4-blade propeller.
The results- as recorded on cabin instruments and confirmed with a Garmin GDU 460 flight data recorder- were easy to predict. The H42A VTL trounced the OEM propeller.
With a true airspeed of 296km/h at 70% throttle and 322km/h at 83% throttle, the Helix beat the OEM propeller by 4km/h and 9km/h, respectively.
It was the same story for rate of climb. Ascending from 2000ft to 9000ft at full throttle while maintaining 140km/h, the H42A VTL averaged 1624 ft/m, shaving 30 seconds off the time to altitude compared to the OEM. It was a similar story at 150km/h and 160km/h.
And finally- take-off distance with the H42A was significantly shorter than the OEM competitor, hitting the 50ft (altitude) mark at least 35 meters ahead of the OEM propeller.
We are always looking for a challenge, so let us know if you are interested testing the H42A against your current propeller!
JMB make an impressive machine. Helix makes it better.
A picture is worth a thousand words. In this case, series of images stacked on top of each other show the difference a Helix propeller makes.