Maria Jose Montero C MEI
Propeller System: Maximum efficiency over a wide speed range
Counter rotation of the propellers provides balance thrust during take-off and climb and eliminates the
critical engine.
• Hartzell
• Constant speed, after rpm is set, the governor adjust the blade angle to maintain the specific rpm
• Controllable pitch (with the blue lever): by the oil and the nitrogen pressure(speeder spring)
• Full Feathering at an angle the 90 degrees (takes aprox 6 sec)
Blade angle range 15 degrees, high pitch 26and low pitch 11 degrees.
The flywheel and the flyweights spin at the same speed of the propeller
Works on the balance between the tension of the speeder spring and centrifugal force of the flyweights
Maria Jose Montero C MEI
How does the governor change the pitch angle:
Scenario #1 The flyweights are doing the job, more centrifugal
Overspeed force, causing them to open. Raising the spring, taking
-Increasing power the pilot valve up, decreasing oil pressure and rpm.
-Pitch down attitude
(manifold pressure)
Scenario #2
Underspeed
-Pitch up attitude The centrifugal force would not be as much, causing
-Decrease power the flyweights to lean inward, lowering the pilot valve,
(manifold pressure) increasing oil pressure and rpm.
What is a constant speed propeller?
-The propeller which maintains the rpm selected by propeller control lever constant regardless of the
airplane`s pitch attitude or throttle position within some range
Advantage of a constant speed propeller?
The pilot can select the most efficient blade angle for each phases of operation. By selecting low
pitch/high rpm sending more oil pressure can get max power like in a take-off. By selecting high
pitch/low rpm, you can fly faster at low rpm like in cruise and can safe fuel.
How does it work?
When the airplane rise it`s nose, it start a climb. As it climb, airspeed goes down. The rpm also is going
down due to increasing drag on the blade. However, blade angle is increased automatically to reduce
the drag to maintain the RPM constant, same in a descent, the governor will keep the rpm constant
What makes the propeller in high pitch or feather position?
-Dry nitrogen gas and large mechanic spring sends the propeller toward the low rpm or feather position
and prevents overspeeding.
Can I feather the prop at any time?
No, there is a feathering lock, operated by centrifugal force and makes it impossible to feather any time
the engine speed falls below 950 rpm
From where is the oil coming (oil sump).
What happen if you lose engine oil completely?
It become high pitch, moves forward feathering
What is the purpose of feathering?
To reduce the drag caused by wind milling and to avoid further damage to the engine.
Maria Jose Montero C MEI
