What is the main difference of a 2 blade airplane propeller and a 3 blade, for a single engine?

Answer 1

........................ you can have smaller radius of propeller ar with 3 blades for same thrust ........... whereas the 2 blade propeller requires longer thus larger radius for the same thrust .............. smaller radius are more desirable as a design ..............

Answer 2

Two bladed propellers are less expensive and have lower drag, if propeller diameter remains constant. In most cases, overall performance between two and three blades is minimal. HOWEVER, three blades reduces harmonic problems inherent when has a two or four cylinder engine. Also, three blades allows a smaller diameter, which may or may not be necessary for ground clearance and to avoid excessive tip speed. Three blades are generally quieter and tend to increase thrust (better takeoff and climb) but may reduce top speed. Three blade props also act like an air brake at idle, good for certain aerobatic maneuvers but not so good if you're concerned about adding drag to an already draggy airplane. The business about more is better is way too simplistic. Generally, unless you have a specific performance need or simply desire the cool factor, the two-blade is just fine. It is, after all, what nearly everybody uses. By the way, since I have a two-to-one propeller speed reduction unit (PSRU), I'm strongly considering going to a three blade to reduce the aforesaid harmonics which four cylinders, 2:1 reduction, and two blades create, often destructively, over time.

Answer 3

3 bladed propellers are more efficient, they have more "lift" surface area than 2.
2 bladed propellers are more cost effective (cheaper) and have less rotational mass that make it easier on low power small airplanes. Example, a Piper Tomahawk only puts out around 100hp so 3 blades would be too much rotational mass for it to effectively power.
Also the more blades you have, the more drag they induce. The more surface area caused by more blades also creates drag as the airplane moves through air and the on coming air collides with the blades. This is why aircraft do not generally have more than 4 blades per propeller.

Answer 4

A three bladed propeller creates more thrust then a two blade propeller.

Answer 5

I disagree with the above.

A 3-blade prop produces the same thrust as a 2-blade at the same RPM. The advantages are that it's quieter and keeps its balance longer.

Answer 6

A two blade prop is more efficient, uses less power, and will give more speed. A three blade gives more thrust.

Answer 7

About $30,000