Anyone running a Catto prop on their RV-6?

[nippaero]

I am getting close to pulling the trigger on a Catto prop for an older RV6 I am building. I have a freshly overhauled 150hp O320 on there with the 4" spacer.

Would you go with a 2 or 3 blade prop? It sounds like the performance is the same but the 3 blade is smoother? Would that be a correct assumption?

Are there any RV6'ers with a 320/Catto combination that could weigh in?

Catto was recommending a 70"x69 pitch for the two blade setup.

Any guidance would be appreciated.

[nippaero]

I asked this over in the Propellor thread but I thought I would ask here as well. I am getting really close to pulling the trigger on a Catto prop. I am trying to decide 3 or 2 blade. Any of you guys using a Catto prop with a 150hp O320? How do you like this setup?

[threads merged so duplicate info won't be posted in two different threads; S. Buchanan]

[Johnnybgoode]

Tell him what you want and let him build you what he knows that will work.
I have a 2-blade 70-70, (I think; on the road now) on my -4 at his recommendation and love the cruise performance. I bought it for cruise though, and realize that that choice impacts my climbout.
Top knotch fit and finish almost 2 years later. Highly recommend the brand. Plenty of 2-blade vs. 3-blade fodder available to sift through...
Patrick

[AllThumbs]

This might turn into a popcorn thread but I think 2 blade ends up being more efficient than a 3 blade but the 3 can be smoother. We have an older 3 blade Catto on our O-360 RV-6 and love it. There are some RPMs that are smoother than others: 2600 and 2450 are great, 2500 seems to give more vibration.

We had Craig re-pitch ours to have better climb (static rpm at 0 MSL is 2250) so we gave up some top-end. My plane partner is in Reno at 5000 ft so the climb out was an issue on hot days.

[humptybump]

Not a -6, but I fly behind an O320 150hp and a Catto 2-blade with nickel edges.

Very nice propeller and handles wet weather without concern.

My prop is pitched for cruise. I never fly WOT so I'd consider giving up a few knots at the top to get better short field response.

I like the look of the 2-blade on my airplane and the biggest reason I went with the 2-blade is that is was a direct swap for my old Aymar Demuth propeller. I didn't need change spinner, crush pate of mounting.

Pilots with a 3-blade say they run smooth. Much of that is an attribute that the 2-blade and a 4-cylinder pulse together. The 3-blade doesn't.

[nippaero]

I will definitely be talking some more with him before I place the order. I was just wanting to get some real world feedback. I am hoping for a good balance of climb/cruise performance. I was talking to a guy the other day who has a Catto prop on his Highlander. He was not too happy with the cruise speed vs some other props he was running. I realize that is a completely different airframe though.

[nippaero]

Thanks Glen. What kind of cruise speeds are you getting with your 0320/Catto setup on the RV8? Do you happen to know the pitch?

[humptybump]

Hi Mike. Pretty much everything you would likely ask can be found here: http://thesalmonfarm.org/blog/p/4459

[N941WR]

Originally Posted by AllThumbs

This might turn into a popcorn thread but I think 2 blade ends up being more efficient than a 3 blade but ....

That was true in the days of factory made two and three blade one size fits all props; however, when they are custom made, like Craig makes them, they are optimized for the airframe, engine, ignition, and fueling. Thus, Craig's two and three blade performance numbers are very close to each other.

The decision becomes one of looks, cost, smoothness, and ease of getting the bottom cowl off.

Good luck with your choice! You can't go wrong with whatever you order.

[nippaero]

Originally Posted by humptybump

Hi Mike. Pretty much everything you would likely ask can be found here: http://thesalmonfarm.org/blog/p/4459

Perfect. Good info. Thx.