Special Pitch Modes

As well as the ability to vary the pitch of the propeller to optimize the aircraft
performance, some variable pitch propellers have some other special modes of
operation that can be very useful in certain circumstances

1. Feather
2. Reverse
 FEATHER
A feathering propeller can alter the pitch of the blades up to almost 90 degrees. That is, the blade pitch is
changed so that they have their leading edge pointing right into the direction of flight, offering minimum
resistance to the airflow. This mode allows the propeller rotation to be stopped, without adding excessive drag
to the aircraft. Feather may be used to improve the performance of the aircraft after the failure of an engine,
but more usually in loght aircraft it is used in motor glider applications. Here the engine is used to gain altitude,
before the engine is switched off, the propeller feathered, and then gliding flight commenced.
 REVERSE
A reversing pitch propeller can alter the pitch of the blades to a negative angle. That is, the blade
pitch is changed so that they have their leading edge pointing slightly opposite to the direction of flight.
This mode allows reverse thrust to be developed by the propeller. In larger commuter and transport
aircraft it is more usually used to enhance manuvering on the ground. A popular application is in
seaplane, where the ability to manuver backwards, and sometimes to reduce the thrust to nothing, is
especially useful
 Blade Element Theory
• The thrust produced by a propeller blade is determined by five things
– 1. The shape and area of the airfoil section
– 2. The angle of attack
– 3. The density of the air, and
– 4. The speed at which the airfoil moves through the air