Will this be the best paramotor propeller in the world? Variomatic propeller

[@EvilKen01]

I gotta say I’m really impressed with the work that the scout team is putting in to bettering this sport. Thank you

[@carsonc1272]

After being a hang glider pilot for two and a half decades I realize that innovation in this field is very slow. So I really appreciate something like this. Awesome job!

[@SCOUTaviation]

I respectfully disagree. Gliders of today are way better than 10 years ago. Several engine manufacturers have developed EFI and are very close to market launch. There are more and more paramotor frames well designed and engineered. There are some nice projects in electronics and headsets. This sport is going the right way I think.

[@carsonc1272]

@@SCOUTaviation That's really good but we will have to agree to disagree. And I suppose that a lot of little things do add up to big things, but what I see is that there was nothing that prevented this propeller from being invented 20 years ago. It's great work and I'm not trying to diminish the accomplishment but the technology was there waiting for someone to put it together. R&D budgets in our community are almost nothing and the people with skill and drive to advance our sport are somewhat limited due to a low amount of people within the sport. In 1992 the Swift had a 25:1 glide... Today it has a 27:1 glide. Only 2 additional glide points! I'm guessing that the tech to do better has been here for 10 or more years and finally next year we will see the Swift 3 with a glide in the low 30:1 range. I had a first gen hybrid wing that was first built around 1999 and had a 17:1 glide. To my knowledge the Atos still hasn't cracked 20:1 20 years later. Big advancements are rare and slow and usually by the time it is integrated into our sport the tech has been there for decades. I've read enough articles to suggest that right now there's a silicone anode battery out there that has 10 times the capacity of current lithium and makes gas for flying obsolete. But it isn't viewed as commercially viable due to "only" having 300 cycles. That doesn't cut it for a car but that's a decade of flying for many pilots. We don't have enough people out there looking for these things and implementing them. So it will be another decade before we see a comparable battery actually hit our sport when in reality we could be using it right now. This is why I feel like this sport moves incredibly slow...

[@tommurchi6552]

This is fantastic! As a variable prop flight engineer I really appreciate the efficiency benefits or variable pitch props, especially in the world of paramotors and its weight limitations.

[@jonathanjaffe8897]

Tom, do you have any commentary on the passively variable pitch prop that's been used on low HP UAVs, made by Aerovate? I realize that Aerovat'es design is focused on increasing speed range while Miro's design is intended for fuel economy, but as a variable prop flight engineer, I'd be interested in hearing your insights. For reference, a video on Aerovate's passive prop is available at kzbin.info/www/bejne/aaWkhqywbdeUl5I

[@tommurchi6552]

@@jonathanjaffe8897 Hi Jonathan, thanks for sending the link. The Aerovate variable pitch prop system appears to have the necessary safety features (pitch lock) and it uses the same (spring/CG sensor) technologies that have been around for some time, as echoed in the comments. The blade shape and twist appear to be designed for efficiency on smaller aircraft. Wonder if they plan on a developing a larger system to be used on a constant speed powerplants - reducing maintenance and complexity. I enjoy seeing the innovations that come with new materials and fabrication processes !

[@MrVigorra]

As a paramotor pilot and UAV design engineer I'm really impressed with this technology as It is a plug and play item that requires no changes in the paramotor operation and provides amazing fuel save. Wish the best for the fine design and production of the product.

[@GUCR44]

I am a private pilot and have been around airplanes my whole life.. At the beginning of the video I was guessing prop angles and guessed 12 percent for power and 33 percent for cruise..... Wow I was way off! Hahaha great idea! Thanks for the videos!

[@jeffgoin]

Ingenious. Air pressure. LOVE it!

[@SCOUTaviation]

Thank you Jeff. This means a lot. From you.

[@PPGMatt]

As a paramotor pilot and Millwright by trade this is a fascinating and amazing feat to see being brought to real life! Hope to try one out on my Scout someday!

[@josephmufdi4564]

That would be a fantastic innovation for part 103 ultralight too.

[@WoutervanTiel]

what I was thinking, making that measly 5 gallon tank last forever.

[@Auger3504]

Amazed that it is only 2 degrees difference to see real benefits. Of course everyone will want to know, how much? Will it really be worth the extra cost, or will it become one of those, "It's cool, I have it" status items? Before you even get to production, people will be asking for one for different engines and different RPM's

[@Auger3504]

@@firstbloood1 I understand what you mean, but can your bladder last 5 hours? I suspect most guys would just load slightly less fuel for reduced weight. Also, even if 33% is true, that's only at cruise, so results may vary, depending on pilot behavior.

[@daverohn383]

I've been in engineering for nearly 50 years. To get something to work on the first try is like finding the Golden Challis. It never happens. Kudos to you! I hope to be flying with this prop soon!

[@pedrosm9081]

These videos where you can see the continuous research work is what make me proud to belong to the Scout family. Always innovating!!! God job Miro and Stefan 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@markbrown-us4xe]

I confused my flight instructor by asking for a wing that could change in flight to do what you have invented. Level flight at lower r.p.m. Never thought of a two speed prop. Your way ahead of this farm boy. Thanks!

[@garthlee5517]

I knew this would be possible and I am glad you are pursuing it! Looking forward to trying one out and having less noise while cruising.

[@tomcoryell]

As someone who loves both aviation and engineering innovation, I tip my hat to you! This is genius and will be adopted at many levels I bet.

[@danelobe2524]

Yes !! Finally I can have it all out of my prop... Y E S ! ! ! . Awesomeness

[@ezrarichardson279]

This seems like a really cool concept!

[@awayaloft3475]

Respect for innovation! I already invented this but never made it, probably a lot of us have. I just want one. Nice work team.

[@garrykennedy5484]

I thought the same thing. Too heavy and complicated, I was wrong. Good for these guys that perfected it!

[@NasaFails]

The scissoring @ 3:20 🤣🤣🤣

[@NCPPGpilot]

Being a GA pilot for years before I ever heard of a paramotor, I've often wondered why a variable pitch prop hasn't come along yet for a paramotor. Being a journeyman tool & die maker and designer, I've imagined pitch to be controlled quite similarly as a possibility, but no interest in pursuing it as it would be a mountain of R&D. Glad that you're taming that bull and looking forward to the eventuality. 🖖😉

[@samj1185]

It seems the systems manuf. by Ivoprop and Viking Aircraft could be 'minimized' to work w/ PPG? Very inventive design by Scout though!

[@turkeyphant]

Love the idea of using aerodynamics to automatically change the pitch. But how much does the prop weigh?

[@huepix]

Love your work. Keep it up. I never thought we'd see a variable pitch prop light enough to use on PPG

[@ZFLOCK2]

I'm imagining a paramotor with a 2/3rd size fuel tank. Weight savings with no range penalty!

[@anthonyburke5656]

Congratulations, give Stephan a big thanks, it’s his sort of person that makes a difference

[@SCOUTaviation]

couldn't agree more

[@rajeevshagun7409]

Excellent idea bro , Sprigs keeps it on 13° angle and higher RPM may push the blade pitch to 10° ...great .

[@coriscotupi]

06:10 - "The in-flight adjustment is done by the pilot from the cabin" ==> Not quite. The pilot adjusts the propeller propeller control to achieve the desired engine (and prop) RPM. The propeller pitch itself is fully automatic. Airplane pilots do not have direct control control of pitch (except for feathering and reverse). Rather, it is the propeller governor that controls pitch, and will continuously vary the prop pitch to maintain the selected RPM in various flight regimes. If the prop is turning at say 2300 RPM in cruise and the the airplane suddenly gains airspeed during a dive, the pitch is AUTOMATICALLY increased do maintain 2300 rpm, without pilot intervention. What the pilot actually does is use the propeller control to select best RPM for each scenario. Say, full RPM for take-off, 2500 RPM for climb and 2300 for cruise. The propeller governor will automatically command whatever prop pitch is necessary to maintain those selected RPMs without any further intervention from the pilot. The key here is that the pilot does NOT control propeller pitch. Rather, he chooses a desired RPM and the governor controls the pitch to maintain that desired RPM under varying conditions. The wording used in the video made it seem that the pilot must directly adjust propeller pitch for varying conditions, which is not the case.

[@richardwelch2745]

I love this! (But I have to point out that the ground start without the paramotor being secured at around the 9:00 mark was unfortunate.)

[@cjfazio3012]

Awesome engineering 33% is nuts!

[@jacquesnuttall]

Mate, True Genius... Australia salutes you!

[@jasb78]

You could get more aggressive by using a dual stage spring. You have a lighter spring mounted on a heavier spring.

[@luisalbertogoenagapena5938]

Hey Miroslav, you are the genius of the paramotor science. The Scout R&D is awesome. Keep going with innovation.

[@n8slittleworld]

So exciting guys!!! You were the first person I watched when I was getting into the sport and I loved how you share the technical science side of this sport. Keep working towards your goals, this community loves you all for it!!!

[@SCOUTaviation]

Please keep comments like this coming. It is rewarding for the whole team. Thank you. Sometimes I print screenshots of such feedback and show them to the guys in the workshop. They totally deserve it.

[@DanielJonesParamotor]

Love the R&D gone into this. 800 rpm drop is huge.

[@SCOUTaviation]

550 RPM reduction actually But we may try even steeper pitch With ground-adjustable 13 was maximum we could do due to loss of peak power and increase of temperatures. With Variomatic we do not have those problems.

[@DanielJonesParamotor]

@@SCOUTaviation ok 550 rpm, but that’s still what like 1+ LPH less fuel burn? 😍

[@SCOUTaviation]

@@DanielJonesParamotor in-flight consumption test video being edited right now.

[@DanielJonesParamotor]

@@SCOUTaviation looking forward to it 👍

[@davidnickerson1157]

Brilliant!!! Thanks for keeping at it!

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

*GOOD ON 'YA!*

[@RunIntoTheSkyNonprofit]

I would love to have one of these

[@taiga4766]

I love your company. Cant wait to get my license and my scout.

[@MikeTuason]

Amazing! I hope you guys will have it available for those who wants it soon.

[@mikebrady2073]

Congratulations. Job well done!

[@miguro10]

Prerobiť na jednu pružinu a prepákovať na druhú stranu aby sa minimalizovala chyba rozdielnej sily pružiny prípadne nastavenia.... ale inak výborná konštrukcia

[@kimjongryan9043]

Genius, I'm excited about this one!

[@wesvasher]

Amazing. Really hoping this can make it to production!

[@torrypope3218]

This looks to be a great start to an awesome product! I currently fly an HE MV1 that uses 2.89 reduction and the same bolt pattern as a Moster,if this new prop fits this would be a great addition for some long XC flights.

[@jimmym2719]

That is absolutely awesome 👏. thanks for sharing 💕

[@troymcgrew9822]

This combined with an electric engine would be great. Wouldn’t have to worry about engine cooling issues.

[@mixed_by_pgee]

This is what I thought too! This kind of prop will ease the electrification of paramotors! I like that!

[@grejen711]

Electrics do not have so much efficiency or power change from 0-max rpm. You prop an electric motor for max efficiency at trim/cruise speed. There may be some efficiency loss when climbing at higher RPM but if that's a low percentage of the flight profile you're not saving very much. ICE are inefficient at cruise because they are pitched to allow for more power in climb.

[@coryshook7648]

I see this is a year old now. I think this is so very impressive. This should be standard. Factory certify the things and have them on every PPG as a stock prop. catch up to fixed wing standards.

[@SCOUTaviation]

In production now

[@jerryclement886]

I'm excited 😊 for you and the ppl that benefit from this.. I'm thinking of getting into this bit on the fence with it

[@StanBarankiewicz]

Really love these technical videos, and your willingness to share, so cool!

[@faithexplorers1]

LOVE it!! Great job guys. I think it is brilliant!

[@orpheous_xxx_]

Absolutely loving your dedication & innovation. Please keep up the good work. I can't see why this wouldn't work on very light aircraft. I have a Rans S10 which is a very capable aerobatic plane with a rotax 582 engine. The play off is thrust for aerobatics means cruise speed isn't that great. This prop could potentially give the same full power with a bit better cruise speed.

[@ferenclobmayer9034]

Miro! Are you the BIGER! :-) Con gratulation!

[@MarkLoves2Fly]

SWEET PROP!!!

[@jasongajentan643]

I'd pay good money for that spreadsheet! I fly powered hang gliders ("trike planes" here in the US) and would love to try to adapt this to a heavier, more powerful aircraft. I have the design & machining skills, but it would take me forever to come anywhere close on the needed calculations. Kudos guys! Beautiful, functional design.

[@parsmedberg5384]

Thanks for pushing the limits with your innovative ideas. That propeller combined with the EOS 240. Then your really on to something! I’m testing the EOS 240 and it’s really efficient with a standard propeller.

[@dylanm4339]

What an amazing innovation!

[@DAVINCYGLIDERS_PT]

Excellent work.

[@MarkLoves2Fly]

I'd love to see a 3- Blade version of this design. Great Work Miro!

[@SCOUTaviation]

Why? We did tests with 3-blades and we did not find any relevant benefits. The sound was much better though. Like moto GP bikes.

[@dbtest117]

The fewer blades the more effective. There can be other benefits with more blades but it’s not efficiency.

[@isaacwolfbauer9888]

@@SCOUTaviation This guy hates money.

[@samj1185]

Very inventive. Have you seen the system manuf. by Viking Aircraft? Probably no need for their degree of adjustability but their design is simple also. Ivoprop has another simple design.

[@SharkyintheSky]

The innovation coming from you and your team pushes our sport further toward perfection. Thanks for the hard work and for sharing your discoveries with us. I’m looking forward to better fuel economy. Looking forward to the next video. Thanks

[@michaelkennedy2528]

I can see the neatness of the variable pitch prop, but why not design a smaller version of the CVT transmission (variable pullies) to vary the speed of the prop? The springs in the pullies can be changed to get faster or slower response. It would give you the grunt/speed for take off but reduce the speed of the engine to save fuel.

[@SCOUTaviation]

Yes. That would most probably work too.

[@IvanMilocco]

Great job guys!!

[@WebberAerialImaging]

Amazing work! Love to see Scout always innovating!

[@rikig88]

vari-o-matic, reminds me of the cessna marketing department naming practices, love it and certainly will buy it

[@SCOUTaviation]

Variomatic was the name of the first CVT transmission in the late 1950s. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variomatic

[@mamatuja]

Hey Miro. Propeller pitch is not specified in degrees but In forward distance traveled per revolution by design. (Essentially propeller is an air screw.) Pitch angles are specified for fixed wings. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

[@SCOUTaviation]

You cannot set that distance with a tool. For adjusting the pitch you need a number that you can actually measure. the angle at 75% off the prop radius is used. For that you can use and protractor.

[@mamatuja]

@@SCOUTaviation Yes I understand that. For a while I'm trying to find out what is the pitch of a regular parameter propeller. No one seems to be able to tell me that information. Could you tell me what is the pitch of the propeller that you sell with your scout parameter? Thanks

[@Leesbiz52]

Great idea. Congrats.

[@skulisveinsson]

Amazing!!! Miro you have done it once again!!!

[@AdrianLeviAU]

Looking forward to seeing these developed for Polini Thor 250 ;-)

[@abelferia1]

I have always admired your dedication and expertise, but this time you guys knock it out of the park with this one. Congratulations on your hard work and perseverance hope to own one sometime in the future.

[@Psi105]

I'd love to see Tucker Gott take it for a test flight.

[@TONYPARAMOTOR]

excellent idea... advancement .knowledge can go a long long way... just needs testing.... thumbs up .

[@BazilRat]

Have you thought about a constant-speed prop?

[@zdark2light194]

Wonderful Engineering ... Looking forward to the release

[@WyckedEntertainment]

This is really cool guys. I really appreciate the perspective and can't wait for more videos out of you guys :)

[@SCOUTaviation]

More to come! In-flight fuel consumption test video is in edit now.

[@petrnovak3732]

Dobrá práce .. vypadá to moc dobře.. držím palce v dalším postupu

[@50xChallenge]

Outstanding. I have projects I would love to use this on!!

[@SCOUTaviation]

[e-mail]

[@AndreBandarra1]

Great stuff, well done Scout!

[@MitchG]

The only concern I have is the use of a 2 spring design that allows a failure to leave one prop at a higher pitch than the other. Maybe you could use one larger spring centered on the hub and linkages that extend to the pitch horns of the props so that they both must always change pitch at the same time

[@SCOUTaviation]

The blades are linked and move simultaneously. You can see that in few clips in the video at 6:38

[@ikay2102]

Just amazing!!

[@bullvine2062]

Congratulations in your endeavours to go forward in paramotor development and engineering..fantastic work, can't wait to see the end product.

[@rwhirsch]

i remember ages ago seeing a scimitar prop that was shaped such that it did a similar thing...higher rpm's would make the prop twist slightly to decrease the angle. this was a shape and materials problem rather than a spring...i'm sure the spring solution is far more accurate.

[@mixed_by_pgee]

Wow! Very good idea! I think this is the future!

[@huffdaddy3845]

Excellent work! This is a game changer.

[@CalebJohnsonlivingca]

Respect for innovation! Chow!

[@thomasnappo6309]

This is amazing..but lm afraid to find out what this will cost...will it be an upgrade to engine..or..standard prop when you purchase engine..hmmm

[@localhawk1]

uhhh, a big thing. (especially for the electric once) well done :)

[@joachimsingh2929]

How about just not pulling the gas lever all the way instead? Saves fuel and goes slower. Something that you achieved with the pitch alterations. Plus I can choose to have an easy start instead of running like a gasell.

[@doubledeeeeeeez]

Cool concept. Question. What if a spring fails in flight? Asymetric thrust? Also, I've had my own Idea for a prop, just have not pitched it to the right folks yet. Think Submarine. 5 bladed but with attached points at the tips for adding 5 hoop segments or annular hoop design. 5 blades cut down on harmonics, ie vibrations. and the hoop will forever eliminate line snags. no more lines wrapped up in the prop or nicked by the tips. also tip vortices cause drag.....the prop I propose would eliminate tip vortices, because airflow would be deflected back once it hit the annular ring. There are some top secret subs out there running deep with these props right now......

[@SCOUTaviation]

The blades are linked and operate simultaneously, you can see it at 6:40 A duct would help for sure

[@doubledeeeeeeez]

@@SCOUTaviation Ok. I see, if one spring fails it's just less resistance. Both arms still move in synchro. You mention duct, but that's not exactly what I'm talking about. The system you have on the carbon scout is sort of a duct already. I'm describing more of a hoop that spins around with the prop tips. It does not need to be mounted in a fan shroud like a carbon scout has. It could be mounted on say a parajet maverick and still have the same effect. Also the annular ring I'm thinking of would not be as wide as your scout duct but more of about a 1 inch wide ring segment that attached at the blade tips using either a snap in design or with hardware/ countersunk screws etc. Have a look at this vid at 16:06 kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5i2dnyfib9khsk

[@lizardtech]

This is genuine engineering! Great Work, congrats! I'm thinking to buy one scout nowadays..

[@EchteTuber]

Brilliant!

[@garrykennedy5484]

It's about time someone thought of this. Wish it were me. LOL

[@davidcrooks1752]

Possibly the holy grail for paramotors 🤔👍👍

[@spammy555]

I like fully automatic

[@GigaVids]

VTEC prop ? lol NOICE WORK !

[@michroz]

Wow! Great news! Thank you for doing this. Technically, I think there must be a single spring to operate the pitch of both half-props. Two springs are inevitably different and will produce different pitch at certain RPM range. Unless there is a "flip-flop" effect and only two positions with no intermediate. Best of luck to you!

[@michroz]

(Maybe you could do the spring arms going along the main motor/propeller axis and a single spring in-between the arms, which will equally push both halfs.)

[@SCOUTaviation]

We have designed it this way to have it fully adjustable. With this system it is very easy to change springs and we tested more than 10 different springs at maybe 30 different pre-load settings. We have both blades linked together so that they move simultaneously. Yes, maybe the final design would have just one spring. we will see.

[@michroz]

@@SCOUTaviation Oh, if the blades do move simultaneosly, then the number of springs doesn't matter: each spring actually controls both blades! And more: each adjustment screw then also adjusts both blades! Great. With 2 different springs you can then actually have 2 different ranges! Great! I will be looking forward to have one of such props for my CorsAir Black Bull. Thank you!

[@makentor]

good job guys and thx for the detailed explanation to under stand the concept which really worth it.

[@LukasKuhelj]

Thank you guys for constantly changing the sport for the better! The whole community benefits so much from your passion & ingenuity! I am totally going to buy this prop as soon as it comes out! Just curious what the long time testing will show. Maybe we have to change the springs / their settings once in a while since they maybe will be affected by fatigue. Or maybe the forces are so low that the springs are not affected at all. Anyways: I love it!

[@Chris-Fennimore]

Looks great, guys. Very cool 👍😎👍

[@fwkb2]

Awesome. Thanks for sharing the story, very fun & interesting video.

[@rattenmike]

Big respect, to you guys.... I gonna need one ...

[@kostashellas]

Nice innovative idea; looking forward to it. Just a little comment: the age and the temperature conditions impacting the springs constant strength; maybe a centrifugal counterweight is more suitable for this application, just a thought.

[@lovetofly32]

You better have a darn patent on it showing it on youtube!