No weapon too short for a brave man...
JR,
Mission: Two years ago I commissioned my good friend Craig Catto to build a 2 blade Rocket prop. Why? Improve my HR2's handling and reduce weight, especially out front. Also, my Catto props are quick revving and much less flywheel effect than the Hartzell, another goal for the HR2. Having tested Craig's first 2 blade RV prop on my RV4, testing the first HR2 prop would have been an honor....
Goals: Every HR2 I have flown (5) and most C/S RV's I have flown (215 at last count) were nose-heavy. Many people like that trait, I don't. Additionally, I didn't want to add weight anywhere to improve handling, I wanted to reduce weight. Craig wasn't going to pitch the prop for top speed, but optimized for midrange aerobatics which is 90% of my flying. (2500 RPM) With a lighter nose you have to be more cognizant of aft loading, but aerobatics and high AOA maneuvering are much improved. My HR2 flew perfect with a 100LB passenger,which is cool, but solo aerobatics required much higher stick forces per G.
End game: I sold my HR2 before I could test the prop. As mentioned above, FP props are optimized for higher RPM and efficiency. However, experience has shown me otherwise. 2000 hours in my RV4 and RVX have yielded good midrange and lower cruise numbers alongside C/S equipped RV's. Additionally, I have never had any problems getting in and out of my STOL home strip with a FP Catto prop, (the secret is to make sure your engine idle is set below 700). Craig applied all this data into his formula for my HR2. Rick is correct, I've never seen a FP Rocket, mine would have been the first to go "Crazy Ivan".
However comma, my next one will have a Catto...
V/R
Smokey
PS: With proper technique you can operate out of short strips, glide further, fly formation and enjoy a much lighter nose, less moving parts and lower cost. A very good friend of mine and former F-18 Hornet driver removed the HH (Heavy Hartzell) from his very quick Lancair 360 in lieu of a Catto 2 blade. He gained 17 Knots at top end and still flies out of his 1800' strip!That's why I love Experimental airplanes...