rear propeller

[jobadias]

Ok, Ive got a customer wanting to purchase a skymaster, however 50% will be off airport landing/takeoff so question is how well does the rear propeller do in the rocks? does it just get eaten up or is there some magic to it. thanks JW

[Dale Campbell]

If you take off from rough fields, it is best to get yourself rolling with the rear engine and bring in the front engine once you are moving, providing you have a long enough field to do that. On landing both engines are at idle, so that is not as bad. You still have the chance the tires will kick up stones and they always manage to find the rear prop. Good luck on rough fields. Dale Campbell

[rick bell]

the front takes 80% the damage rear 20% as it is much lower to the ground. i've operated
from a mexican dirt/sand strip for years and the front eats it more. try taxing and never stopping using the rear engine to accelerate and bring in the front at 50kts with the nose
elevated and the damage will be minimal. also use the prop protection tape ( if you can get
a hold of helicopter tape use it as it's far superior).

rick

[Roger]

Whenever possible taxi with the front engine shut down. I usually shut down the front after clearing the runway on landing anyway. One thing to watch for when on loose coral / gravel / sand, is that oftentimes when you slow down too much you have to add excess power to turn. Try to keep momentum to avoid abrupt power changes on loose surfaces, which have a tendancy to stir up loose articles.

[jobadias]

Thanks for all of the info, keep them coming..