Quote:
Originally Posted by edgemar
What do more blades on the propeller do for performance?
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- They can apply more engine power for a smaller diameter prop
packaging is more compact
- Less stress on the prop blades if shorter diameter (less centrifugal force on the blade just from spinning and lower velocities at the tips)
- velocity at the tips lower, and prevent them from going supersonic, which is bad for noise abation near airports.
- They are better at higher altitudes and lower air density, at speed.. because well, more blades for less air move same amount of air as less blades in denser air
That's just me guessing, there may be other aspects
I don't think aerodynamic performance is much of a difference on a moving plane.. it's not going to be cavitating in air from the previous blade anyway if the plane is moving at 150 knots.