Raynald,
During my two RV's (RV4/RV6X) 17 year "test period" (they are always being tested)
I bolted no less than Nine different propellers to the nose. I ranked each according to their needs and more importantly, performance. I fly aerobatics, encounter light rain regularly and 70% of my landings are off-pavement. That said, here is how I personally rated the available props then, and now. Worst to first.
9.
Sensenich Wood: Big "paddle" low static, low max cruise, poor in rain, 2nd worst cruise, cracked twice during ownership (3 months)
8.
Sensenich 70CM Metal FP: Heavy, reduced ground clearance on short geared RV's (3,4, A models) noticeable flywheel effect for aerobatics, 2600 RPM factory restriction. OK for cross country, level flying. Very durable in rain.
7.
Ed Sterba Wood: Excellent value, fragile in rain, needs torquing every 25 hours. Good for economy purchase and fair weather flyers.
6.
Performance Propellers three blade. Excellent aerobatic prop, great climb, lowest cruise numbers but very smooth. Poor rain protection. Great for a Pitts, One design or low use RV.
5.
Bernie Warnke "almost constant speed Wood/Composite. I met Bernie right before he passed away. His small shop in Tucson smelled like a cuckoo clock factory in the German Black Forest, a true craftsman. His razor thin laminates and carbon fiber backing that allowed prop "flexing" inflight were light years ahead of their time and current owners cling to them like a prop cult following. Excellent performance, amazing cruise/climb RPM ratio. Fragile for off pavement pilots like myself, erodes easily in rain. A real collectors item from a master craftsman and true gentleman.
4.
Margie Warnke "Claw" Bernie's daughter worked very hard improving on and perfecting her Dad's amazing design. Sadly, she retired from prop making but a few examples remain out there. Best performance ever, period. Fragile, easily eroded by rain but simply gorgeous with multiple laminates and a unique "twist". Best Cruise/Climb to RPM ratio of any FP prop I tested. My last flight with it was the Wright Brothers 100th anniversary back in 2003' with a photo taken by DR riding in Danny's back seat of
Beautiful Doll.. My wife retired the prop to static display on our mantle.
3.
Gary Hertzler "Silver Bullet" Wood/composite. Gary won the CAFE Triaviathon back in 89' with his amazing Vari-EZ and his own design prop. I was fortunate enough to have him build two for my RV4, one of which I shared with a friend in CA, the other adorns DR's mechanic friend "Monkey's" RV6. Best cruise/climb ratio ever. Best efficiency, period. Rain however is it's nemesis. In the SE USA, light rain during sunshine in the summer is a way of life. Other than that, it's the best efficiency I have ever seen for FP props. Gary might build you one if you ask
nicely...
2.
MT Fixed Pitch Wood/Composite prop. Excellent performance, excellent climb/cruise ratio, factory backing and warranty, excellent rain protection, light weight and utility. Slightly lower performance than Catto and Hertzler, just.
1.
"New" Catto design 2 blade. Craig's latest prop design with optional Nickel leading edges. I met Craig Catto in 98' and began a long term friendship that would span 3 airplanes, six propellers and over 2500 Hours of flight time. The improved blade/airfoil design, better top end performance and rain protection produce a true home run prop. Excellent value, light weight and smoothness. I like getting rated power(2700RPM) at 13,500'. To do this requires higher max RPM in lower altitudes. Craig's props address this well, hard to beat.
For your application I would recommend the Catto 2-Blade or MT FP over the Sensy metal.
V/R
Smokey
Best prop for economy cruise
). I did have to throttle back to 2000 rpm when I ran into some light rain.
Linear Mode
