Originally Posted by
049flyer
SNIP
You would need to test different props under different flight speeds and conditions to determine which works best on a particular airframe.
Three blade props are usually less efficient due to the proximity of the blades to each other as they travel one behind the other. The turbulence created by one blade affects the air flow over the next blade.
Exactly right. Flights will tell more than all of the commentary, combined...
Generally speaking, 3 bladed props tend to produce less noise than 3 bladed but they also tend to be heavier than 2 blades producing equivalent thrust. Noise reduction is a particular interest of mine so I play with 3 blades. However a well designed 2 blader such as the APC line of props, can have similar noise footprint.
The engine couldn't care less. As long as the load is turnable, it will turn it. I let air performance tell the final tale