Looking for the best propeller for your aircraft? Choosing a propeller often comes down to compatibility with your specific aircraft and engine, your typical flight mission, and your performance needs.
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One of the first places to start is by understanding the differences between constant-speed and ground-adjustable propellers.
A constant-speed propeller is designed to automatically adjust its blade pitch to maintain a constant rotational speed in every phase of flight. This helps ensure the optimal amount of power is used for every given situation. For example, during takeoff and climb, the pilot can set a low pitch (higher RPM) for maximum power. In cruise, a higher pitch (lower RPM) reduces engine workload and increases torque to enhance efficiency.
How It Works: Constant-speed props utilize a propeller governor, which responds to changes in engine speed and hydraulically adjusts the blade pitch to keep RPM constant. In this way, constant-speed props will automatically adjust the pitch of the propeller blades to take a greater or lesser “bite” of air depending on the aircraft’s speed many times throughout flight.
Benefits of Constant Speed Propellers:
Whereas constant-speed propellers change pitch automatically in flight, ground-adjustable propellers operate as fixed-pitch in flight and can only be adjusted manually while on the ground. Before a flight, pilots can fine-tune their propeller’s pitch to their aircraft and specific mission, whether that’s optimizing for takeoff and climb power or cruise efficiency.
How It Works: Adjusting a ground-adjustable prop involves loosening the blades from the hub to rotate them to the desired pitch. For optimized acceleration and takeoff performance, pilots can set a lower pitch. For cruise efficiency, a higher pitch setting is preferable.
If you prioritize dynamic performance, fuel efficiency, and smoother engine operation — especially if you have a high-performance aircraft engine — a constant-speed propeller may be the right choice for you.
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If you have an experimental airplane or light sport aircraft and you’re looking for a cost-effective option that still provides blade pitch flexibility, you might consider a ground-adjustable propeller.
Hartzell Propeller is proud to offer high-performance constant-speed propellers and WhirlWind ground-adjustable propeller options for a wide range of aircraft — including experimental aircraft and light sport aircraft.
Variable pitch propellers have been around a long time. Aviation pioneers often adjusted propeller pitch from the ground, and it was L.E. Baynes who patented the first automatic variable pitch “airscrew” in . The first true variable pitch propeller patent belongs to Wallace Turnbull, however, who patented his design in . Yet it wasn’t until when the first truly controllable variable pitch propeller was put into general operation. So how do variable pitch propellers work?
It’s the aircraft’s propeller that is the source of thrust that moves a plane forward. Propeller-driven aircraft moving at varying airspeeds must have adaptable propellers so that the blades don’t stall with the varying thrust and airspeed of the aircraft. When you can control the pitch of the propeller, it improves the performance of the aircraft across varying speeds.
When an aircraft is standing still on the ground with its propeller in operation, air easily flows past the leading edge. As the plane speeds up (whether on the ground or in the air) the force of the air against the propeller increases, creating more drag.
A variable pitch propeller can be partially rotated along its longest axis to take a bigger bite of air as necessary. In this way, the pilot can manually adjust the propeller pitch so the propeller always maintains the most efficient flow of air around it as it operates. Allowing for variable pitch dramatically improves fuel efficiency and performance.
Check out this video for a full rundown and demo on how variable pitch propellers operate:
Image credit: Wallace Rupert Turnbull biography from General Motors Canada collection.
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