-----Original Message-----
From: abripl ]
Posted At: Friday, February 24, 2006 6:09 PM
Posted To: rec.aviation.owning
Conversation: 1984 Mooney M20K 231 for sale
Subject: 1984 Mooney M20K 231 for sale

One main advantage of more blades is that you can use more power for
the same prop diameter and construction. Each blade handles a portion
of the total thrust-power. In a two blade there is about 0.5/0.333 - 1
== 50% more stress per blade due to thrust - for same engine power.
[Jim Carter]
Isn't one feature of the 3 blade prop a smaller diameter that provides
better ground clearance?

And are you really using more power? Isn't number of blades related to
torque applied to the crankshaft? The engine doesn't change power output
based on the number of blades its swinging does it?

I know that smaller diameters tend to mean lower tip velocity and less
noise for the same amount of torque, but I've never heard more blades
means more power used before. But then, I could be wrong...it wouldn't
be the first time and it probably won't be the last.