Two Test Aircraft, Two ASCALON Propellers, One Clear Mission

At E-PROPS, every new propeller is designed, calculated, manufactured… and then flown.

For the ASCALON range, dedicated to direct-drive aircraft engines, we wanted more than bench tests and theoretical figures. We wanted real aircraft, real engines, real flying conditions, and pilots able to feel every detail in the air.

This is why two very different aircraft have joined our ASCALON flight-test program: a yellow PENA BILOUIS equipped with a Lycoming O-360 180 hp engine and an ASCALON-2 two-blade propeller, and a red JODEL DR1054 powered by a Lycoming O-320 150 hp engine and fitted with an ASCALON-3 three-blade propeller.

The Yellow PENA BILOUIS — Lycoming O-360, 180 hp, ASCALON-2

The PENA BILOUIS is a lively aircraft, powered here by the well-known Lycoming O-360 developing 180 hp.

On this aircraft, we are flying the ASCALON-2, the two-blade version of our carbon-titanium propeller for direct-drive engines.

This configuration is especially interesting for evaluating the efficiency, responsiveness and light weight of the ASCALON design on a powerful four-cylinder Lycoming engine. The two-blade architecture keeps the propeller extremely light, while the full-carbon structure and titanium leading edge protection bring the strength and durability required for real-world operations.

The result is a clean, efficient and elegant installation — perfectly suited to the dynamic personality of the PENA BILOUIS.

The Red JODEL DR1054 — Lycoming O-320, 150 hp, ASCALON-3

Our red JODEL DR1054 brings a different profile to the test program.

Powered by a Lycoming O-320 developing 150 hp, this aircraft is fitted with the ASCALON-3, the three-blade version of the range.

The three-blade configuration is particularly valuable for studying smoothness, acoustic comfort and thrust over a wide operating envelope. On an aircraft such as the Jodel, the ASCALON-3 allows us to evaluate how an additional blade can improve comfort and flexibility while keeping the same E-PROPS DNA: low weight, high efficiency and advanced composite construction.

With its classic lines and red wings, the JODEL DR1054 also makes a beautiful platform to showcase the ASCALON-3 in flight-test conditions.

Why These Two Aircraft Matter

Developing a propeller is not only about designing a blade. It is about understanding the complete aircraft–engine–propeller system.

The PENA BILOUIS and the JODEL DR1054 allow us to compare two key ASCALON configurations in parallel:

• ASCALON-2 two-blade on a Lycoming O-360 180 hp
• ASCALON-3 three-blade on a Lycoming O-320 150 hp

This gives our design office valuable feedback on performance, vibration, cooling, noise, handling and pilot comfort.

Both aircraft are based at Sisteron airfield, right next to our workshops. This makes them ideal test platforms: our engineers can design, manufacture, install, adjust, fly, measure, analyze… and improve, all in one place.

Flight Testing, the E-PROPS Way

ASCALON is our new generation of carbon-titanium propellers for direct-drive engines. Like all E-PROPS products, it has been developed with a clear objective: make the propeller as light, strong, efficient and comfortable as possible.

The yellow PENA BILOUIS and the red JODEL DR1054 are now part of this story.

They are not just nice aircraft for photos. They are working tools, used to validate our choices in real operating conditions and to prepare the next steps of the ASCALON range.

And we must admit it: seeing these two aircraft side by side, one yellow, one red, both fitted with black carbon ASCALON blades, is also a real pleasure.

More flights, measurements and results are coming soon.

ASCALON keeps flying. Testing continues.