ground-adjustable propeller
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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.Crane, Dale: Dictionary of Aeronautical Terms, third edition, page 86. Aviation Supplies & Academics, 1997. {{ISBN|1-56027-287-2}} 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.
Ground-adjustable propellers, which are mostly used on light and very light aircraft, are much cheaper and lighter than more sophisticated and versatile in-flight-adjustable propellers. A ground-adjustable propeller allows pitch changes to be made, although not in flight, to optimise the aircraft for current payload and flying conditions.{{cite web|url=http://www.flightlearnings.com/2009/09/20/adjustable-pitch-propellers-part-one/|title=Adjustable-Pitch Propellers (Part One)|work=Flight Learnings|accessdate=6 June 2015}}
Adjustment
To adjust the propeller, the blades are loosened in the hub, a new angle set and then the hub tightened.Experimental Aircraft Association (9 December 2010), [http://www.eaavideo.org/video.aspx?v=703289051001 Adjusting a Ground-Adjustable Propeller] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610031842/http://www.eaavideo.org/video.aspx?v=703289051001 |date=2017-06-10 }}, retrieved 6 June 2015 The process is one of compromise, and of trial & error. After a flight, if, say, climb seemed too sluggish, the pitch angle may have been set too coarse and would need to be made finer. Alternatively, if the aircraft reached take-off speed quickly but struggled to reach a comfortable cruise speed, the pitch would need to be coarsened. The person making the adjustments would be advised to do so in small increments until a satisfactory outcome were reached.
Manufacturers
- Arplast EcoProp{{cite web |url=http://www.arplast-helice.com |title=Arplast Hélice sarl |language=fr |publisher=Arplast-helice.com |date= |accessdate=2013-06-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522181725/http://arplast-helice.com/ |archive-date=2013-05-22 |url-status=dead }}
- Ivoprop{{cite web|author=Dave Loveman |url=http://www.ivoprop.com/magnumodel.htm |title=IVOPROP Ground Adjustable Magnum Propeller > |publisher=Ivoprop.com |date= |accessdate=2012-04-30}}
- Warp Drive Inc{{cite web|url=http://www.warpdriveprops.com/ |title=Warp Drive Carbon fiber Composite Propellers |publisher=Warpdriveprops.com |date= |accessdate=2012-04-30}}
- Woodcomp{{cite web |url=http://www.woodcomp.cz/en/klassic170.php |title=ON GROUND ADJUSTABLE PROPELLER – TYPE KLASSIC 170 - WOODCOMP |publisher=Woodcomp.cz |date= |accessdate=2012-04-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100723140741/http://www.woodcomp.cz/en/klassic170.php |archive-date=2010-07-23 |url-status=dead }}
See also
References
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