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  #1  
Old 10-15-2013, 02:11 PM
David Bell David Bell is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Broussard Louisiana
Posts: 116
Default Performance Specs O-320 160hp RV-4 Catto 3-Blade

Please share specs: Only one was quoted by Craig...
Three Blade Catto Prop
O-320 160hp on RV-4
68x70 = 2800rpm/195mph
68x71 = ??
68x72 = ??
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  #2  
Old 10-15-2013, 06:51 PM
AX-O's Avatar
AX-O AX-O is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: SoCal
Posts: 2,452
Default

I did not think he was selling 3 bladed props right now. I have the only 3 bladed prop with the new design. He will have another one this week for his plane with a few changes. Will post my flight test results hopefully today or tomorrow.

Short answer: I was seeing 167kts true turning 2700 rpm. I was full throttle. It was faster than my previous 2 bladed sensenish prop. Don?t know the pitch. He would know.
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  #3  
Old 10-15-2013, 07:17 PM
fixnflyguy fixnflyguy is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Winston-Salem, N.C.
Posts: 1,213
Default Id like to know

I am very interested too..I have sent 2 Emails over the last 3 months to Catto trying to get a quote for a 3 blade and haven't heard a word back. I have an 0-320/160hp running a Sterba, but I can barely get 150kts at 2700 and still holding back from WOT. CS isn't an option for me, as my H2AD is not configured for a governor, so I am looking at my FP options closely.
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  #4  
Old 10-16-2013, 09:55 AM
Stewie Stewie is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Santa Paula CA
Posts: 183
Default data point

I have a Catto 3-blade 68-72. TAS@2700RPM, 8000ftDA is 189mph, 125HP. I believe it needs to be repitched as this is only about 70%power on this engine.
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Last edited by Stewie : 10-17-2013 at 09:04 AM.
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  #5  
Old 10-17-2013, 03:45 PM
Finley Finley is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sharon Grove, KY
Posts: 86
Default 68/72

My static RPM is 2140 with a 68/72. Craig said 2700 would produce 197 mph.
0320D2B 160HP 902.25LBS.
Haven't flown it yet. Waiting on the DAR to set a date!
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  #6  
Old 10-17-2013, 04:04 PM
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southtarnation southtarnation is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Punta Gorda, Fl
Posts: 325
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Finley View Post
My static RPM is 2140 with a 68/72. Craig said 2700 would produce 197 mph.
0320D2B 160HP 902.25LBS.
Haven't flown it yet. Waiting on the DAR to set a date!
902.25? Good job.

It will be a month or so befor I can give my numbers for the engine prop combo
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'89 RV-4, N2626C - purchased flying
Converted to Fastback - Sliding Canopy - Tall Gear
Dynon Skyview w/ acc. & VP-x Sport
Catto 3-Blade (gen. 1)
Based: KPGD
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  #7  
Old 10-18-2013, 07:19 AM
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smokyray smokyray is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: TX32
Posts: 1,891
Default Prop me up...

Quote:
Originally Posted by David Bell View Post
Please share specs: Only one was quoted by Craig...
Three Blade Catto Prop
O-320 160hp on RV-4
68x70 = 2800rpm/195mph
68x71 = ??
68x72 = ??
David,
Prop results vary with airplanes. If your 4 is straight, well-faired and a healthy 0-320 out front you should see 170KTAS at 8500' WOT. Your mileage may vary. Historically Craigs 3 blades have been slower at top end than the 2 blades but smoother and a bit better climb.

Not any more...

The reason Craig isn't marketing 3 blades right now is he is busy perfecting a new 2 blade design (Gen 3). I am blessed to be his first RV customer on the new design, again. I currently have a loaner while waiting for the new prop. The new 2 blade prototype is vastly different from his previous props and (as before) once he gets the 2 blade working well, then you will see the 3 blade emerge.
The prototype 2 blade was mounted on Bruce Hammer's Glasair (0-360) and he posted a 258 MPH winning race time in the Airventure Cup FX class this summer. Bruce commented that the new prop had much better low end pull and never "ran out of gas" climbing to 16,000' and accelerating to top speed.

When I get the new prop and get it flying I will post the results.

V/R
Smokey
www.iamanet.org

PS: More importantly (for me) I can fly a 58Knot final approach into my 1500' strip and not have the "pull" of most FP props at idle.

Last edited by smokyray : 10-18-2013 at 07:34 AM.
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  #8  
Old 10-18-2013, 10:17 AM
precession precession is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 146
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258 mph? Okay, I'll take it. Oh, dang, that was on a tricked out glassair. Well, I'm looking fwd to hearing the RV4 report.

Thanks,
Bill
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  #9  
Old 10-18-2013, 10:20 AM
dealfair dealfair is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: George West, TX
Posts: 567
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by smokyray View Post
PS: More importantly (for me) I can fly a 58Knot final approach into my 1500' strip and not have the "pull" of most FP props at idle.
Smokey, are you talking about the Catto 2 blade doing this for you??

I'm very interested in the slowest safest approach speed possible. I had an Aymar Demuth 2 blade prior to my present Catto 3 blade. I find the 3 blade to act like a speed brake compared to the AD 2 blade. If I want some "pull", I have to add a little power. At idle, I'm coming down.

I look forward to you reporting your experiences in this regard.

Cheers,
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  #10  
Old 10-28-2013, 09:00 AM
Vac Vac is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Niceville, Florida
Posts: 434
Default 2-Blade Catto (Gen 2) Data

Flight test derived data, RV-4 s/n 2112 (short gear). 983 lb operating weight, CG @ 69.83" aft of Van's standard datum. Operating weight includes unusable fuel, all equipment and furnishings (i.e., everything except crew boarding weight). Aircraft fitted with Lycoming O-320-D2J (160 hp) engine (certified configuration + fuel pump, carburetor equipped), Vetterman four-pipe exhaust system and standard Van's cowl and baffle system. A Catto two-blade (second generation) prop is installed. Nickel leading edges. 68 x 72. Data is for "prop out of the box," i.e., no post-manufacture tweaks by Craig. The prop was designed to achieve 195 MPH Vmax at 2700 RPM at 8000 density altitude. When reviewing the tables, use CAS and or TAS (not IAS) for comparison purposes data is presented in MPH and Knots. Sorry, but I don't have data for high-altitude cruise. Above 8-10K', TAS becomes the primary reference to ensure I'm not encroaching on Vne (210 MPH)--especially during descent.

Like Smokey said, YMMV! I imagine that the Gen 3 Catto will be an outstanding fixed-pitch propeller; but expect the improvements to be in the area of takeoff/climb performance and, perhaps, cooling flow--i.e., even better all-around performance...I'll defer to Smokey and Axel's comments...The current Catto prop is more than capable of nailing specified cruise performance!

First table is Lycoming-derived power available vs. altitude:



Second table is climb/glide data:



Third table is cruise performance data with gear leg fairings and wheel pants installed:



Fourth table is cruise data, wheel pants removed (winter operations, etc.)--note gear leg fairings remain installed:



Fly safe,

Vac
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RV-4 2112
Niceville, Florida

Last edited by Vac : 10-28-2013 at 09:15 AM.
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