2 blade prop or 3 blade

[Goobersnuftda]

Everything in the world is a compromise. You may gain something but you lose something in return. NASCAR is fast but not so good on transport safety, Yellow school bus is awesome on passenger safety (why children take it to school) but has a terrible lap time on the NASCAR circuit

For skydiving operations, is a 2 blade prop better than a 3 blade prop? (Cessna 206)

The 3 blade prop I’m told is better for comfort and cruising. There are more radians to dissipate the engine vibrations through and therefore, the passengers enjoy the smoother ride.

The 2 blade prop has longer fins because it can use up more surface area as compared to the 3 blades. I’m told it can chop through the air more aggressively but the ride is less comfortable.

The 2 blade is also cheaper to purchase so you would have to calculate the benefit you would receive in buying a new 3 blade instead of reconditioning your 2 blade you send in. I’m also guessing there are additional dingle widgets to install when converting from a 2 up to a 3 blade.

So what are the issues in choosing between the two?

[IanHarrop]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=2+blade+prop+versus+3+blade+prop+cessna+206

[Goobersnuftda]

Thank you for your Google reference but in reading companies sales presentations, I don't trust everything they say.

What I am looking for is real world experience in what DZO have found. Does one need more service than the other? At replacement time is one always condemned because of too much work where as the other can be reconditioned and good to go again?

Google is great at finding blind facts like the 3 blade kit (including all parts and the STC) sells for $9,750. I can buy a new McCauley two blade prop for $4,250. Is what you gain worth double the price?

[DGravelle]

Is the gain worth double the price? Probably not.

I have some experience flying a 206 with jumpers, with a three bladed prop. I'm confident that the three blade prop will be quite a bit quieter than the two blade. The two blade will be longer, and hence will have a higher tip speed at the same RPM. Listen to a 185 on floats take off, as compared to a 182. The 185 wil likely have a longer prop, which is much noisier.

Even with the three bladed prop, the 206 I'm familiar with really "barks" as it passes by on takeoff.

At the end of the day, in terms of overall climb performance, I think you would be hard pressed to notice the difference between the two props. In my experience, the 206 I'm famililar with is quite a dog, climb-wise, above about 6K, and it rarely goes above 9K.

If you want to see a difference, then there is no substitute for horsepower. Throw more money at the problem, and install the bigger engine (but stay away from turbos) and get a new prop too! The ultimate 206 is one with a 400 HP turbine up front.

[cepq]

We run C-182 with IO-520 (300 H.P.) and 3 blades prop. When we fix a 2 blades prop on it, we did not feel any difference, but as soon as we came back with the 3 blades prop, we knew we where loosing 2- 3 minutes per load.Now 2 of our 3 C-182 are fixed with 300 H.P. and 3 blades prop. The third one will be done soon.