In article , Roger Long wrote:
The three blade prop will be less efficient per unit of area than the two
blade where it counts, near Vx with trees in the windshield. Given a
limitation on length however, the extra blade area of the three blader can
easily offset the efficiency loss by a substantial margin.

Anecdotally, I'd say that the extra blade does easily offset the losses.
You see quite a few glider tugs (lower powered ones especially) like the
Ralleye with a 4-blade prop to improve climb performance (and reduce
noise due to shorter blades)


--
Dylan Smith, Castletown, Isle of Man
Flying: http://www.dylansmith.net
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"Maintain thine airspeed, lest the ground come up and smite thee"