VansAirForceForums  
Home > VansAirForceForums

- POSTING RULES
- Donate yearly (please).
- Advertise in here!

- Today's Posts | Insert Pics

  #1  
Old 10-07-2012, 09:48 PM
Greg Arehart's Avatar
Greg Arehart Greg Arehart is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Delta, CO/Atlin, BC
Posts: 2,391
Default 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
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10-08-2012, 04:55 AM
pierre smith's Avatar
pierre smith pierre smith is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Louisville, Ga
Posts: 7,840
Default

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!
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10-08-2012, 08:27 AM
bret's Avatar
bret bret is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Gardnerville Nv.
Posts: 2,828
Default

I also will be going with the three blade Catto.
__________________
7A Slider, EFII Angle 360, CS, SJ.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10-08-2012, 09:38 AM
Daniel S. Daniel S. is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Lawrenceville, Georgia
Posts: 315
Default

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.
__________________
DANIEL S.
RV7-A (528KS)
-Empannage Done.
-Electrical System Planning / Schematic Done.
-Wing Kit Delivered 09/13/12.
-Wings 95% Done Flaps & Electrical to go.
-Have got to order the fuse soon!!!!.

[/font]http://www.mykitlog.com/dschoning/
"This is a first-time event, and we're looking forward to it"... Chuck Yeager
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10-08-2012, 11:07 AM
Cfrisella's Avatar
Cfrisella Cfrisella is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Sun city, Ca.
Posts: 255
Default

Did Catto props go up in price?? I only paid like 2500 bucks, give or take. No problems on mine BTW.
__________________
Cheers,
Chris Frisella
Www.boneheadcomposites.com
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 10-08-2012, 03:22 PM
randyintejas's Avatar
randyintejas randyintejas is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Tyler, Texas
Posts: 350
Default

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.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 10-08-2012, 03:47 PM
Paul Walter Paul Walter is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Horsham, Victoria, Australia
Posts: 83
Default

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
__________________
Rv 7A
Rv 6
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 10-08-2012, 04:15 PM
Vlad's Avatar
Vlad Vlad is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Utah
Posts: 8,151
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Daniel S. View Post
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.

I deny. Also Catto prop isn't composite. Mine have been through some flying still going strong
__________________
Where is N666BK?

Не имей сто рублей, а имей сто друзей.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 10-09-2012, 07:53 AM
RVbySDI's Avatar
RVbySDI RVbySDI is offline
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Tuttle, Oklahoma
Posts: 2,563
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Vlad View Post
. . .Also Catto prop isn't composite. . .
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!
__________________
RVBYSDI
Steve
RV9A
https://rvwings.com

Live Long And Prosper! 🖖🏻
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 10-09-2012, 08:02 AM
Mel's Avatar
Mel Mel is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Dallas area
Posts: 10,768
Default

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>
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 11:47 PM.


The VAFForums come to you courtesy Delta Romeo, LLC. By viewing and participating in them you agree to build your plane using standardized methods and practices and to fly it safely and in accordance with the laws governing the country you are located in.