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Old 04-14-2009 | 08:09 AM
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Sport_Pilot
 
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From: Acworth, GA
Default RE: Prop efficiency, 2 versus 3 blades

Jets and fans, on the other hand, increase their thrust as speed
Not sure about jets but ducted fans have higher thrust when on the ground. The difference is that they generally have less thrust on the ground than a prop, but more thrust than a prop at speed, but they still have more thrust on the ground than when in the air. F=MA is still at work, the air is accelerated to a higher delta V when on the ground which is more mass to create the higher thrust on the ground. F=MA is easier to calulate with fans and jets because almost all of the air goes straight back. With a prop some of it goes to the side near the tips, and some wraps around in a vortice at the tip, some is lost against the cowl, and some is lost with frictional losses against the fuse.