Catto vs Sensy Comp
Charlie at Sensenich was very helpful with this matter...
cant wait to install it and see how it performs...
Anyone have one on an Rv4 160HP that can share what pitch setting they are using?
Cm
Chris,
First, congrats on the Sensy composite. I had a chance to fly one on
Saint Aviation's RV9 and it really impressed me. Jesse had the 150HP 0-320 RV9 pitched at 4.
Catto props...
With one or two Catto hours (3000) behind me and having put the very first one on an RV4 (mine), I have a pretty good database of performance based on 4 different models of Craig's product over 20 years and 2 RV's.
I always had an MP gauge and used the number 48 to judge performance. (first two digits of RPM/MP total=48 for 75% power at any altitude)
Pre-Gen3 Catto props generated their best performance at higher RPM's (above 2500). In fact, I pitched my first 0-320 Catto prop to allow rated RPM (2700) at 12,500. This in turn allowed the prop to spin up to 2900/WOT at S.L. No worries, Craig guarantees them up to 3200.
As far as Catto props not working well above 10K, not true. They work well if your RPM can be maintained at rated RPM. Higher RPM at High
and Low altitudes gave me better STOL performance and decent speed below 5K, and 170KTAS above 12,000. Slight excursions above 2700 to outrun higher HP RV's wasn't a problem
and with balancing, turbine smooth! I always climbed above 10K to go long distance so it was the best of both worlds.
Gen3 however changed everything.
Gen 3: The airfoil, blade design and pitch combined with a nickel leading edge protection optimize performance at lower RPM across the board. My RVX Gen3 comes into it's own at 2450 with a nice efficiency "sweet spot" at 2150. (4.5GPH/125KTAS) Between 2500 and 2700, the gain is slight at best and above 10K, 2500 is a sweet spot for performance. A much improved design combined with nickel leading edge protection is a home run overall. (
They are FAA certified on the Carbon Cub.)
Overall, both are great props. I am obviously biased to the Catto since they have given me 3000 hours of great
and safe performance. the Sensy obviously has an edge of being adjustable, a great option and probably the future of efficient, budgetary and flexible RV flying.
V/R
Smokey