TYPES OF PROPELLERS

1. Fixed Pitch

2. Ground Adjustable
 Ground-adjustable propellers are similar to fixed-pitch propellers in that their blade angles cannot be changed in
flight or when the engine is operating.
 However, the propeller is constructed to permit the blade angle to be changed on the ground.
 This type of propeller was used primarily on aircraft built between the 1920s and 1940s.
 The hub of a ground-adjustable propeller consists of two aluminum or steel halves that are machined to form a
matched pair.
 The interior of each piece is machined with grooves to receive the shoulders on the shank of the propeller blades.
When wooden blades are used, the shoulders are cast or machined into a metal sleeve that is fastened to the blade
shank by lag screws.
 When steel blades are used, bolts typically secure the hub halves. However, when wood or aluminum alloy blades
are used, either bolts or clamp rings might be used to hold the hub halves together.
 To adjust the propeller blade angle on a ground-adjustable propeller, you must first determine which reference blade
station to use.
 This information is typically contained in the propeller or aircraft maintenance manual.
 After you determine the reference station, check the specifications for the approved blade angle range for the aircraft.
 A typical range for a ground-adjustable propeller is from 7 to 15 degrees.
 A propeller blade paddle is used to adjust blade angles.
 Advantage: Unlike the fixed pitch propeller, a ground-adjustable propeller’s design and construction permits the
operator to change the propeller blade angle on the ground to achieve the best performance from a
particular propeller and engine combination.
 Disadvantage: The pitch of the blades cannot be changed in flight to meet variable flight requirements.
3. Controllable Pitch
 The controllable pitch propeller, in its design pitch conditions, is in most respects identical to the conventional fixed
pitch propeller.
 Controllable pitch propellers have a fixed diameter of the propeller blades while the pitch of the propeller blades can
be adjusted by turning the angle of attack of the propeller blades. This determines how much propulsive force is
being produced.
 As the name suggests, the blade pitch or angle of a controllable-pitch propeller can be changed during flight while
the aircraft propeller is still running.
 This allows the propeller to assume a blade angle that gives the best performance for particular flight conditions. The
number of pitch positions may be limited, as with a two-position controllable propeller, or the pitch may be adjusted
to any angle between the minimum and maximum pitch settings of a given propeller. The use of controllable-pitch
propellers also makes it possible to attain the desired engine rpm for a particular flight condition.
  Advantage: The benefit of using controllable pitch propellers is that the propellers are adjustable in order to get the
most out of the engine, propulsion system and application based on the aircraft specific conditions.
Occasions where this could be relevant are, for example, when the aircraft operates with variable high
loads, in bad weather or if the aircraft needs to adjust its speed and thrust.
Can be made full use of all power of mainframe during any flight conditions.
 Disadvantage: The downside with using controllable pitch propellers is that the solution is very costly compared to,
for example, the fixed pitch propeller.
Propeller pitch adjustments must be done manually.
4. Constant Speed
 Constant speed propellers, sometimes referred to as automatic propellers, maintain the rotational speed selected by
pilot. Pitch control is provided by a device known as a governor.
 Constant speed propeller systems provide maximum efficiency by letting the pilot set the ideal propeller blade angle
for most flight conditions.
 The range of possible blade angles for a constant-speed propeller is called the propeller’s constant speed range.
 Rely on a combination of hydraulic and centrifugal forces to change the propeller blade angle.
 They use high-pressure oil to increase propeller blade angle and the centrifugal twisting force inherent in a spinning
propeller to decrease the blade angle.
 Advantages: Makes your plane more adaptable to different phases of flight
Improve fuel efficiency
Reduce strain on the engine
Blade of a CSP can change the blade angle automatically unlike controllable-pitch propeller
Pilot’s attention isn’t required to adjust the pitch of a propeller
 Disadvantages: In early constant speed propellers, the movement of the weights would drive a mechanism to
mechanically change the pitch of the prop, increasing it in response to an over-speed and decreasing
it in response to an under speed
A pilot requires some additional training and, in most jurisdiction, a formal signoff before being
allowed to fly an aircraft fitted with a CSU
CSU are expensive when they go wrong like the 414 costs 20 dollars USD
CSU are not allowed to be fitted to aircraft certified under light-sport aircraft regulations in the United
States
5. Reversible Pitch

6. Feathering
 A constant speed propeller which has the ability to turn edge to the wind and thereby eliminate drag and wind milling
in the event of engine failure.
 The term 'feathering' refers to the operation of rotating the blades of the propeller to the wind position for the purpose
of stopping the rotation of the propeller to reduce drag.
 These propellers are used with multi-engine aircrafts.
 Feathering propellers can change the blade angle of a propeller to approximately 90 degrees.
  The propeller blade is rotated to an angle parallel to the line of flight to greatly reduce the drag on the airplane.
Advantage: Reduces drag.
It protects the airplane from catastrophic vibrations occasionally set up by mechanical failures of engine
and propeller.
Reduces adverse yaw which improves the engine-out handling characteristics and the engine-out flight
performance of the aircraft.
 Disadvantage: Requires regular maintenance.
Expensive.

PROPELLER MATERIALS
1. Wood
 In 1852, Jules Henri Giffard invented the first full-size powered airship, which used a three-bladed propeller paired
with a 3-horsepower steam engine.
 The common woods use for propeller construction were Birch, maple, oak, mahogany or walnut.
 Advantages: Light weight
Low cost
Possibility of high speed up to 6000rpm
Easy to build
 Disadvantages: Wood warping
Decay
Wood easily splits
Since wooden props are light in weight, they will not run smooth with some four-stroke engine
2. Steel
 Steel propellers and blades are found primarily on antique and older generation transport aircraft.
Because steel is a heavy metal, steel blades are normally hollow consisting of steel sheets attached to a rib
structure. The hollow area is then filled with a foam material to help absorb vibration and maintain a rigid structure.
 Advantages: Stainless is three times stronger than aluminum.
Less damage than aluminum.
They are more expensive than aluminum, but highly recommended.
 Disadvantages: Stainless Steel propellers can be 3 or 4 times the cost of aluminum.
Stainless steel propellers hold a higher repair cost.
If the cushioned inner hub of the propeller does not fail when striking a submerged object or lake
bottom, damage to the lower unit could occur.
3. Aluminum Alloy
 Today, the vast majority of propellers used are constructed of an aluminum alloy. Aluminum is more
desirable than wood because it allows thinner, more efficient airfoils to be constructed without sacrificing
structural strength. In addition, the airfoil sections on an aluminum propeller typically extend close to the
hub providing better airflow for engine cooling. Furthermore, aluminum propellers require much less
maintenance than wood propellers, thereby reducing the operating cost.
 Advantages: Corrosion resistant
Low maintenance,
Light weight, greater manufacturing flexibility - taper rates; wall thickness; diameter, long life 50+
years, flagpole applications, anchor base or direct burial.
 Disadvantages: Lower strength than steel, less flexibility on bolt circles, limited mounting heights.
4. Composite
 Manufacturing of the first natural composite blade in 1928 (90 years ago) by Schwarz Propeller in BERLIN
 Originally developed for high power fighters, like the FW190, Messerschmitt 109, Spitfire, Hurricane, and many
more.
 Advantages: Lightweight
Extremely Strong
Environment-friendly
Easy to repair
 Disadvantages: Hight recurring cost
Composite are high recurring cost
High material cost
Have very expensive repair and maintenance
Composite needed insulation and prevent Adjacent Aluminum part galvanic corrosion