View Full Version : Another question, now about propellers
DontSink
11th Jan 2003, 19:24
This one, someone asked it to me yesterday, but a didn`t know what to say!
Why do some planes have propellers with round tips and ohters have flat tips...:( :confused:
Like the S360 or the P3 orion
Thanks a lot!
Genghis the Engineer
11th Jan 2003, 20:43
The advantages of round tips are that they are (usually) more efficient, quieter and look prettier.
The advantages of square tips are that they allow greater disk density so greater thrust if there is a particular reason to limit the diamter you should be able to get as much thrust as you want, they also are generally cheaper and easier to make in modern materials.
G
compressor stall
12th Jan 2003, 00:02
Don't forget the Q Tips which have the tips folded rearwards. Works for similar reasons to a winglet methinks.
Still looks like the props have touched the ground at full power though!
faultygoods
12th Jan 2003, 02:17
i tend to agree with ghengis
Dick Whittingham
12th Jan 2003, 20:12
I, too, think it wise to agree with Genghis.
If you want range, you want an efficient prop, and the blade will look like an efficient wing, ie. elliptical plan form with nice low induced drag pointy tips. If you just want to get some lead sled off the runway as quickly as possible then you have big coarse slabby blades.
Dick W