Rojan Eros Caparas

BSAMT – Z1A

SCHOOL OF AVIATION

FIXED PITCH PROPELLER

- A fixed pitch propeller is the simplest of propeller
designs and is associated with many light, piston
engine aircraft. The angle of attack of a fixed pitch
propeller is set at installation and cannot be changed
during aircraft operation. The blade angle is,
therefore, a compromise between the optimum pitch
for takeoff, climb and cruise. In these installations,
the propeller is mechanically linked to the engine and
its rotational speed is directly related to the engine
speed.

REVERSE PITCH PROPELLER

- On most variable-pitch propellers, the blades can be
rotated parallel to the airflow to stop rotation of the
propeller and reduce drag when the engine fails or is
deliberately shut down. This is called feathering, a term
borrowed from rowing.

GROUND ADJUSTABLE PROPELLER

- A ground-adjustable propeller is a simple
type of aircraft variable-pitch propeller where
the blade angle can be adjusted between pre-
set limits of fine and coarse pitch. As its name
implies, a ground-adjustable propeller may be
adjusted only when the aircraft is on the
ground and when the engine is not running.
The function of ground-adjustable propellers
is similar to that of fixed-pitch aircraft
propellers. The pitch, or angle, can only be
changed when the propeller is not rotating. A clamping mechanism holds the propeller
blade in place. Loosening this mechanism allows the angle to be changed.
TEST CLUB PROPELLER
- Test Club is the generic name given to a propeller
used for ground running and bench testing purposes.
They are essential when running an aircraft engine
(especially on-air cooled engines) as they provide
both essential loading to the engine and also
cylinder head cooling.

CONSTANT SPEED PROPELLER

A constant speed propeller is a propeller that is designed to
automatically change its blade pitch to allow it to maintain a
constant RPM, irrespective of the amount of enginetorque
being produced or the airspeed or altitude at which the
aircraft is flying. A Constant Speed Propeller is more
efficient than Fixed Pitch Propellers because it allows for
the engine to operate at the most efficient RPM for given
conditions. By operating the engine at the most efficient
RPM, pilots can improve fuel efficiency, increasing range.