Single blade prop effeciency myth

[vasy]

C/L pylon planes have flown on one blade since the 1940's or 50's, but they can do so only because the RPM is VERY constant and they run a counterweight.

Andy

I was just talking to a guy who flew them.... He said 2 bladed props did not work so well because the blades rotated so fast that the 2nd blade was basically not tracking in the air, more like in a vacuum and just slowed planes down. Sounds like the same issue boats have at high rpm where prop just cavitates and just creates bubbles rather then speed.

[exotica]

...liquid viscocities and air temp/densities would also have to play a part. Someone shoot an email to Myth Busters as it would be a very interesting episode for them to bust this myth regarding props in liquid and air environments.

Reddy does make a valid point about people assuming a two bladed prop is the best solution for us FE'ers out there. This is not always the case in theory.

...dont confuse newbies like me anymore than what we already are....lol