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10-07-2012, 09:48 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Delta, CO/Atlin, BC
Posts: 2,391
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Review: Catto props
I've recently had the opportunity to compare three different props on my RV-9: the standard 85-inch pitch aluminum Sensenich and two different Catto props, a two-blade 74-inch pitch and a three-blade 74-inch pitch. This is gonna sound like an advertisement, but I was very much impressed with the Catto 3-blade. Both Catto props were much smoother than the metal Sensenich. The three-blade was noticeably smoother and perhaps quieter (or at least a different sound) than the two-blade version.
Cruise performance was similar on all three props. I did not do a rigorous test, but I have seen about 200 mph TAS full-throttle at 8500 DA on the Sensenich, and 2750 rpm on my IO360. The two-blade Catto at the same DA indicated about 195-197 at just under 2700 rpm (note: this is without a spinner). The three-blade yielded about 191 mph at 2790 rpm (also no spinner). I should note that the three-blade was borrowed from a friend this morning and although is nominally 74-inch pitch, was modified by Craig to be a bit less than this (I don't know how much less).
Climb performance on the Catto two-blade felt about the same as the Sensenich (I did not do any specific tests). I got off the ground in about the same time/distance with both. The three-blade was noticeably quicker off the ground (perhaps because of the repitching that was done?) and I was seeing 1800-2000 fpm this morning climbing out of RTS (5000' elev) which is better than I ever saw out of the Sensenich (maybe 1500-1700 fpm).
Bottom line is that I'm sold on the three-blade Catto and will be ordering one soon. It is clearly significantly smoother and has similar performance to the Sensenich or two-blade Catto and should fit my mission profile. I'll probably talk to Craig and make sure it is pitched to optimize cruise a bit more than that one I tested.
Greg
__________________
Greg Arehart
RV-9B (Big tires) Tipup @AJZ or CYSQ
N 7965A
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10-08-2012, 04:55 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Louisville, Ga
Posts: 7,840
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Yep...201 TAS MPH with our three-blade Catto in our -6A, 180 HP turning near 2800 revs.
5 years and 500 hours later it was still fast and smooth.
Hard to beat,
Best,
__________________
Pierre Smith
RV-10, 510 TT
RV6A (Sojourner) 180 HP, Catto 3 Bl (502Hrs), gone...and already missed
Air Tractor AT 502B PT 6-15 Sold
Air Tractor 402 PT-6-20 Sold
EAA Flight Advisor/CFI/Tech Counselor
Louisville, Ga
It's never skill or craftsmanship that completes airplanes, it's the will to do so,
Patrick Kenny, EAA 275132
Dues gladly paid!
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10-08-2012, 08:27 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Gardnerville Nv.
Posts: 2,828
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I also will be going with the three blade Catto.
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7A Slider, EFII Angle 360, CS, SJ.
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10-08-2012, 09:38 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Lawrenceville, Georgia
Posts: 315
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I've heard a lot of folks complaining with the Catto props & composite props in general "cracking". I was looking at the aerocomposites 3 blade prop myself but I'm kind of concerned about a cracking issues. Can anyone confirm / deny. I'd hate to plunk down 10K & have issues that could have been avoided with just getting a generic metal BA Hartzel. I have a while but just trying to get some info here.
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10-08-2012, 11:07 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Sun city, Ca.
Posts: 255
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Did Catto props go up in price?? I only paid like 2500 bucks, give or take. No problems on mine BTW. 
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10-08-2012, 03:22 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Tyler, Texas
Posts: 350
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I just ordered my 3 blade last week. Craig is about to do a run of them so, it’s a great time to order. One warning.. he is BUSY!
Chris, what hasn’t gone up in price? I have been trying to get all my major purchases except for the panel out of the way because of price increases! My wife is going nuts because I’ve shelled out so much cash the last 2 months but, I got it done and I own it!!
__________________
RV 7
391RK Reserved
IO360 9:5:1 AFP
Slow Build
Last 90%
Tyler, Texas
Last edited by randyintejas : 10-08-2012 at 03:50 PM.
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10-08-2012, 03:47 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Horsham, Victoria, Australia
Posts: 83
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Hi Piere,
I to have a RV 6 with an O-360-A1A with a fixed pitch Sensenich metal propeller, 72" dia x 83" pitch.
I was wondering if you have the Catto standard 74 inch pitch ?.
I will get a Catto 3 blade very shortly, just have to work with Craig and get the correct pitch for cruise .
Paul
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Rv 7A
Rv 6
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10-08-2012, 04:15 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Utah
Posts: 8,151
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Daniel S.
I've heard a lot of folks complaining with the Catto props & composite props in general "cracking". I was looking at the aerocomposites 3 blade prop myself but I'm kind of concerned about a cracking issues. Can anyone confirm / deny. I'd hate to plunk down 10K & have issues that could have been avoided with just getting a generic metal BA Hartzel. I have a while but just trying to get some info here.
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I deny. Also Catto prop isn't composite. Mine have been through some flying still going strong 
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10-09-2012, 07:53 AM
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Join Date: May 2005
Location: Tuttle, Oklahoma
Posts: 2,563
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vlad
. . .Also Catto prop isn't composite. . .
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Huh!!??
Reading the third paragraph of the Catto Home page tells everyone exactly what the props are made of. If that is not composite then there must not be such a thing!
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10-09-2012, 08:02 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Dallas area
Posts: 10,768
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Been running Catto 3-blade since 2003. Love them!
You can't always compare pitch between these props unless you know which design you have. As blade design changes, so do pitch numbers.
I'm awaiting his latest design, supposed to ship next week.
Yes, Catto props ARE composite.
__________________
Mel Asberry, DAR since the last century.
EAA Flight Advisor/Tech Counselor, Friend of the RV-1
Recipient of Tony Bingelis Award and Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award
USAF Vet, High School E-LSA Project Mentor.
RV-6 Flying since 1993 (sold)
<rvmel(at)icloud.com>
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