Lesson 6: Propellers And

Governors
 Propeller Principles

• Consists of two or more blades and a central hub to

which the blades are attached.

• Propeller blades produce forces that create thrust to

pull or push the airplane through the air.
 Propeller Principles

• The engine supplies brake horsepower through a

rotating shaft.

• The propeller converts the brake horsepower into

thrust horsepower.

• Propeller efficiency is the ratio of thrust horsepower

to brake horsepower.

• Propeller efficiency depends on how much the

propeller “slips”.
 Propeller Principles

• Propeller slip is the difference between the

geometric pitch of the propeller and its effective
pitch.
 Propeller Principles

• Geometric pitch is the distance a propeller should

advance in one revolution.

• Effective pitch is the distance the propeller actually

advances in one revolution.
 Propeller Principles

• Propeller blade design

 Propeller Principles

• Cross Section

(PITCH)
 Propeller Principles

• Forces Acting On The Propeller

• Centrifugal
• Twisting
• Bending
 Propeller Principles

• Forces Acting On The Propeller

CENTRIFUGAL THRUST BENDING TORQUE BENDING

CENTRIFUGAL TWISTING AERODYNAMIC TWISTING

 Propeller Operation

• The angle at which the air strikes the propeller blade

is called the angle of attack.

• The air deflection produced by this angle causes the

dynamic pressure behind the propeller blade to be
greater than the atmospheric, thus creating thrust.

• The shape of the blade also creates thrust. As air

flows past the propeller, the pressure on one side is
less than that on the other.

• Aerodynamically, thrust is the result of the propeller

shape and the angle of attack of the blade.
 Types Of Propellers

• Fixed-Pitch Propeller

• Has the blade pitch, or blade angle, built into

the propeller.

• One piece and constructed of wood or

aluminum.
 Types Of Propellers

• Fixed-Pitch Propeller

• Climb Prop (low blade angle)

• All Purpose Prop
• Cruise Prop (high blade angle)
 Types Of Propellers

• Ground-Adjustable Propeller

• The pitch or blade angle can be changed only

when the propeller is not turning.

• Operates as a fixed-pitch propeller

 Types Of Propellers

• Controllable-Pitch Propeller

• Permits a change of blade pitch, or angle, while

the propeller is rotating.

• Number of pitch positions may be limited, or

the pitch may be adjusted to any angle
between min and max.

• Lacks a propeller governor.

 Types Of Propellers

• Constant-Speed Propeller

• A propeller governor is used to increase or

decrease the propeller pitch.

• The governor is used to control the hydraulic

propeller pitch-changing mechanism.

• The governor is geared to the crankshaft so it

is sensitive to changes in RPM.
 Types Of Propellers

• Constant-Speed Propeller

• As engine RPM increases blade angle

increases thus decreasing RPM.

• As engine RPM decreases blade angle

decreases thus increasing RPM.
 Types Of Propellers

• Reverse-Pitch Propellers

• Blade angle can be changed to a negative

value during operation.

• Used as an aerodynamic brake to reduce

ground roll after landing.
 Types Of Propellers

• Feathering Propellers

• Used on multi-engine aircraft to reduce

propeller drag during engine failure conditions.
 Types Of Propellers

• Tractor Propeller

• Mounted on the upstream end of a drive shaft

in front of the supporting structure.

• Pusher Propeller

• Mounted on the downstream end of a drive

shaft behind the supporting structure.
 Constant-Speed Propellers

• Single-Engine

• Oil pressure from the governor usually

increases blade pitch and centrifugal and
aerodynamic pitching moments decrease blade
pitch.

• Multi-Engine

• Oil pressure from the governor decreases

blade pitch while centrifugal force acting on
counterweights increases blade pitch.
 Constant-Speed Propellers

• Pitch Change Mechanism

 Constant-Speed Propellers

• Propeller Governor
 Propeller Ice Control Systems

• Anti-Icing (Fluid) Systems

 Propeller Ice Control Systems

• Electrical Deicing Systems