A multi-thrust and multi-torque aerodynamic balance has been designed for measuring thrusts and torques of a pair of coaxial contra-rotating propellers. The setup allows the independent measurement of performance of each propeller. The results of measurement of first pair of propellers in static thrust mode are presented and indicate the methodology that will be used for future measurements. Various aspects, such as propeller distance and speed of rotation ratio are investigated.

Abstract.A set of small model and UAV propellers is measured both in terms of aerodynamic performance and acoustic noise under static conditions. Apart from obvious correlation of noise to tip speed and propeller diameter the influence of blade pitch, blade pitch distribution, efficiency and shape of the blade is sought. Using the measured performance data a computational model for calculation of aerodynamic noise of propellers will be validated. The range of selected propellers include both propellers designed for nearly static conditions and propellers that are running at highly offdesign conditions, which allows to investigate i.e. the effect of blade stall on both noise level and performance results.

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