Performance Propellers from P.Ponk

P Ponk Aviation currently offers Hartzell and McCauley propellers for a variety of Cessna models with Continental or P Ponk Super Eagle O-470-50 (NorthPoint XP470) Engines. It is best to select the propeller based on the type of flying that you do.

Hartzell Propellers

Hartzell Propellers for Cessna 180 and 182 Models

Our STC SA02278AK approves installation of the Hartzell PHC-C3YF-1RF/F8068 and PHC-G3YF-1RF/F8068 Propellers (82” and 84” lengths)

For Cessna 180 and 182 models equipped with one of the following engines:
  • Continental O-470K, L, R, S or U
  • P. Ponk Super Eagle O-470-50(NorthPoint XP470)
  • Continental IO-550-D and O-550-D engines
  • For Cessna 180 models SN: 41000 and up equipped with Cont. O-470-A engines that have (1) 5 and (1) 6 order dampeners
  • All Cessna 180 models equipped with Cont. O-470-J engines

This propeller has a blended airfoil that uses advanced design to maximize thrust from available horsepower. It provides increased thrust and speed with quiet, smooth operation.

The following propeller lengths are available:
82” propeller for Cessna 180 and 182 landplane or seaplane.
84” propeller for Cessna 180 landplane or seaplane.
84” propeller for Cessna 182 seaplane.
84” propeller for Cessna 182 landplane equipped with Airglas PA32-206LA nose fork and 700-6 main & nose tires or larger.

Note - for Cessna 185 owners: We did not include the Cessna 185 under our STC because the stock Cessna 185 with the Cont. IO-520-D engine turns 2850 RPM. The Hartzell propeller model we offer is limited to 2700 RPM.

Propeller TBO is 2400 hours or 72 calendar months, whichever comes first.

Following are results of two different thrust tests, using the same airframe and engine on the same day for comparison:

Cessna 180 with 230hp Continental O-470-L engine.

Propeller Diameter RPM Pounds of Pull
2-Blade McCauley 2A34C203/90DC-8 82" 2600 765 pounds
2-Blade McCauley 2A34C203/90DC-2 88" 2600 870 pounds
3-Blade Hartzell PHC-C3YF-1RF/F8068 82" 2600 900 pounds
3-Blade Hartzell PHC-C3YF-1RF/F8068+2 84" 2600 935 pounds

Cessna 182 with Continental O-550 285 HP engine

Propeller Diameter RPM Pounds of Pull
3-Blade Hartzell PHC-C3YF-1RF/F8068+2 84" 2700 1125 pounds
3-Blade McCauley D3A34C401/90DFA-4 86" 2700 1140 pounds

McCauley Propellers

McCauley 401

We offer the McCauley 3-blade D3A34C401/90DFA propeller in various lengths for the following Cessna models:

STC Plane Model Engine Prop Length
SA00413WI 185, 185A through 185E, A185E and A185F Cont. IO-520-D 80” - 88”
SA00344WI A185E and A185F Cont. IO-550-D 80” - 88”
SA01283WI 207, 207A, T207 and T207A SN: 20700001 through 20700482 landplanes only Cont. IO-520-F, IO-550F, TSIO-520-G, TSIO-520-M 80” - 84”

Please contact us to determine if there are any STC limitations related your specific airframe and engine combination.
TBO for the McCauley 401 is 2000 hours or 72 calendar months, whichever comes first.

Propeller Certification Information

During the course of our certification, 7 different propellers were tested on the same day using the same airplane. The airplane was attached to a load cell that would measure static thrust to an accuracy of + or – 1 pound.

We tested all the propellers past 2700 rpm. We found the propellers produced the best static thrust between 2600 and 2670 rpm. Static rpm higher than this produced less thrust due to the lower blade angles required to run the higher rpm. The maximum thrust achieved for each propeller is listed below using 2600 rpm as the base rpm.

Cessna 182 with Continental O-550 285 HP engine

Propeller Model Blade Length Pounds Pulled
McCauley 2 blade D2A34C58 82" 940 pounds
McCauley 2 blade D2A34C58 86" 1016 pounds
McCauley 2 blade 2A34C66 88" 1019 pounds
McCauley 3 blade D3A34C403 80" 970 pounds
McCauley 3 blade D3A34C401 80" 1015 pounds
McCauley 3 blade D3A34C401 86" 1183 pounds
McCauley 3 blade D3A34C401 88" 1183 pounds

Note: The D2A34C58 88” and 2A34C66 88” propellers use the same blades, and would pull the same.

Remember…same airplane, same day, same engine, same power settings.

Quite a difference in thrust.

We have certified the 401 up to the 88” length, however, in testing we found no significant difference between the 86” and 88” other than increased noise.  We did find that maximum static thrust on most propellers was reached between 88% and 92% of the speed of sound measured at the propeller tip.  Above 92%, the propeller produced more noise, but no more thrust.  Conclusion:  you are using energy to produce noise instead of thrust because of the sound barrier.  Some pilots believe the longer the propeller, the better the performance.  However, beyond a point, additional propeller length will actually result in a decrease in performance.  Longer and faster is not always better!

McCauley 402

Our STC SA00428WI approves installation of the McCauley 3-blade D3A34C402/90DFA in the Cessna 206, U206, U206A thru G, P206, P206A thru E, TP206A thru TP206E, TU206A and TU206G models, in the 80” through 88” lengths. The approved propeller length is determined by the engine installed.

Propeller Limitations
Land and float planes equipped with IO-520-A, IO-520-F or IO-520-L engines are limited to propellers not over 82” and under 78.5”
U206, U206A thru G and TU206A thru G models, on land or floats, equipped with IO-550-F engines are limited to propellers not over 84” and not under 78.5”
U206, U206A thru G and TU206A thru G models, on land or floats, equipped with TSIO-520-C or TSIO-520-M engines are limited to propellers not over 82” and not under 78.5”
U206, U206A thru G and TU206A thru G models, float planes only equipped with IO-550-F engines are limited to propellers not over 88” and not under 84.5”

Please contact us to determine if there are any other STC limitations related your specific airframe and engine combination.
TBO for the McCauley 402 propeller is 2000 hours or 72 calendar months, whichever comes first.

Tip Speed Calulator

Prop Tip Speed Calculator

Would you like to know how fast your propeller tips are traveling, how efficient your prop is at a particular RPM, and how much noise you are making? Enter some different combinations of prop diameter and RPM setting below to find out.

Note: Ambient temperature is needed to determine the speed of sound for a particular day. Use the Fahrenheit to Celsius converter to find the proper temperature.

To produce maximum thrust at full power your tip speed should fall between .88 and .92 mach. To move between .88 and .92 mach usually takes a change of about 110 to 120 RPM. This of course varies depending on your particular propeller and the temperature.

Inputs

Prop Diameter: In inches

Maximum Engine Rpm:

Engine Gear:

Fahrenheit to Celsius Converter: (Optional)

Outside Temperature: in Celsius

Results

Prop Tip Speed in Mph:

Relative Speed of sound in Mph:

Prop Tip Speed in Mach:

If your tip speed is less than .88 mach you should increase RPM to achieve maximum thrust. If your tip speed is greater than .92 mach you should reduce RPM to achieve maximum thrust. Do not exceed the published operating limitations of your engine or propeller.

Over .92 mach the airflow begins to detach from the propeller which decreases efficiency and dramatically increases noise. To improve performance and public relations you should consider reducing RPM so as to fall within the .88 to .92 mach range. Your propeller will be producing maximum thrust which is good for you, and less noise which is good for all of us.