Backcountry Pilot • Theoretical Propeller Questions

Theoretical Propeller Questions

Lycoming, Continental, Hartzell, McCauley, or any broad spectrum drive system component used on multiple type.
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Theoretical Propeller Questions

Couple questions I've been thinking about:

1. If a constant speed propeller is removed from engine A, installed on engine B and the same max static rpm is achieved do engines A and B produce the same horsepower at that rpm?

2. Will a 88" long constant speed propeller turning 2600rpm produce more or less thrust than a 84" long constant speed propeller turning 2800rpm.
Last edited by whee on Tue Dec 12, 2017 6:04 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Theoretical Propeller Questions

whee wrote:1. If a constant speed propeller is removed from engine A, installed on engine B and the same max static rpm is achieved do engines A and B produce the same horsepower at that rpm?


I don't think so, because the pitch will probably be different. I would think the governor would let each engine hit whatever RPM they are setup for.

whee wrote:2. Will a 88" long propeller turning 2600rpm produce more or less thrust than a 84" long propeller turning 2800rpm.


According to an online static thrust calculator for little airplanes the 88 will have a little more thrust and and is slightly more efficient at the same pitch. I suspect the governor will pitch and load the engine to whatever the governed speed is, which is probably 10-15 HP less for the 88 due to the rpm difference, but right after I wrote that, I noticed this on the p.ponk site:

We tested all the propellers past 2700 rpm. We found the propellers produced the best static thrust between 2600 and 2670 rpm. Static rpm higher than this produced less thrust due to the lower blade angles required to run the higher rpm. The maximum thrust achieved for each propeller is listed below using 2600 rpm as the base rpm.


I suspect they would both be very close, but If I had to bet, probably the 88.
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Re: Theoretical Propeller Questions

Question one - I would say yes, if the prop is going to the same minimum pitch as the first engine. Theoretically same comparison as fixed climb prop on two different engines.

Question two: Same pitch on both props, the larger diameter would have more thrust at the same rpm as the smaller diameter.
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Re: Theoretical Propeller Questions

About point 2.

Because they are constant speed, you have to factor in the engine horsepower I think. Are you assuming both props are running at those speeds on the same engine and if so, what is the horsepower loss at 2600 vs 2800 RPM?
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Re: Theoretical Propeller Questions

akschu wrote:
whee wrote:1. If a constant speed propeller is removed from engine A, installed on engine B and the same max static rpm is achieved do engines A and B produce the same horsepower at that rpm?


I don't think so, because the pitch will probably be different. I would think the governor would let each engine hit whatever RPM they are setup for.


I'm under the impression that a CS prop should be on it's fine pitch stops at max static rpm. If this is the case then the pitch would remain the same on both engine. I certainly could be wrong.

I too think the 88" prop will be a tad better in thrust.

Mark Y. wrote:Question one - I would say yes, if the prop is going to the same minimum pitch as the first engine. Theoretically same comparison as fixed climb prop on two different engines.

Question two: Same pitch on both props, the larger diameter would have more thrust at the same rpm as the smaller diameter.


Q2: We can't say the pitch will be the same. Since they are CS props they will be adjusted as necessary to achieve proper max rpm (either 2800 or 2600).

Battson wrote:About point 2.

Because they are constant speed, you have to factor in the engine horsepower I think. Are you assuming both props are running at those speeds on the same engine and if so, what is the horsepower loss at 2600 vs 2800 RPM?


Same engine, 15hp difference.
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Re: Theoretical Propeller Questions

That's a big prop, so I will assume a 250hp engine for this example, although 15hp doesn't sound like enough for a 250hp total??

Anyway, that would be 15 / 250 = 6.0% performance difference between 2600 and 2800 RPM.

So the propeller's performance is going to fade into the background, the biggest consideration for overall aircraft performance would be engine horsepower.
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Re: Theoretical Propeller Questions

I missed the 2600/2800 part. Lots of factors, especially if props are not at fine pitch stops on both engines. Larger diameter probably also losses efficiency if tip speeds approach supersonic, but not at 2600 rpm...
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Re: Theoretical Propeller Questions

Lots of variables to consider but if you remove a prop from A and install it on B and ALL other factors remain the same IE pitch settings then yes it would require the same power on both engines.

On the second question I don't see that you are asking about controllable pitch props or solid props. Others have spoken about adjustable so I will confine my remarks to solid props. I would have to do some research to see how close each of your examples are to going super sonic at the tips, but again all things being equal, such as the airfoil of the blade, the profile of where the curves come in and so on the longer prop at the slower speed should deliver more static thrust.

This is my off the cuff opinion and may or may not have a real strong relationship with the truth. :shock:
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Theoretical Propeller Questions

shorton wrote:Lots of variables to consider but if you remove a prop from A and install it on B and ALL other factors remain the same IE pitch settings then yes it would require the same power on both engines.

On the second question I don't see that you are asking about controllable pitch props or solid props. Others have spoken about adjustable so I will confine my remarks to solid props. I would have to do some research to see how close each of your examples are to going super sonic at the tips, but again all things being equal, such as the airfoil of the blade, the profile of where the curves come in and so on the longer prop at the slower speed should deliver more static thrust.

This is my off the cuff opinion and may or may not have a real strong relationship with the truth. [emoji47]


I was asking about CS props; sorry I didn't include that in the second question.

According to the pponk calculator the 88" at 2600rpm will be .887 Mach. The 84" at 2800rpm will be .912 Mach. This is at 68F.
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Re: Theoretical Propeller Questions

Q1, yes. But tree are so many variables that have to be exact. Fuel governor setting and such. But in the perfect world, yes, same HP.
On Q2. I think the longer prop will make more thrust. But I have no knowledge to back it up. The long one also sounds better...

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Re: Theoretical Propeller Questions

whee wrote:Couple questions I've been thinking about:

1. If a constant speed propeller is removed from engine A, installed on engine B and the same max static rpm is achieved do engines A and B produce the same horsepower at that rpm?

2. Will a 88" long constant speed propeller turning 2600rpm produce more or less thrust than a 84" long constant speed propeller turning 2800rpm.


1) it depends. Is engine A on the fine pitch stop and engine B governing to (selected) max RPM? CS props are weird, can’t think of them like a FP prop unless you’re on a hard stop which is a pretty small part of the operating range.

2) it depends. Engine horsepower available at 2600 and 2800, blade design, etc etc etc. There’s a ton more variables here than you can eliminate successfully for a “rough swag” answer that trends towards correctness.
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Re: Theoretical Propeller Questions

CamTom12 wrote:
whee wrote:Couple questions I've been thinking about:

1. If a constant speed propeller is removed from engine A, installed on engine B and the same max static rpm is achieved do engines A and B produce the same horsepower at that rpm?

2. Will a 88" long constant speed propeller turning 2600rpm produce more or less thrust than a 84" long constant speed propeller turning 2800rpm.


1) it depends. Is engine A on the fine pitch stop and engine B governing to (selected) max RPM? CS props are weird, can’t think of them like a FP prop unless you’re on a hard stop which is a pretty small part of the operating range.

2) it depends. Engine horsepower available at 2600 and 2800, blade design, etc etc etc. There’s a ton more variables here than you can eliminate successfully for a “rough swag” answer that trends towards correctness.
I think when you say static RPM with a CS prop, it is on the stops. When you go full power with the prop knob all the way in, the governor won't be in the CS range yet and the prop should be right against its stops. Least that's how my feeble mind unsterstands it...

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Re: Theoretical Propeller Questions

A1Skinner wrote:
CamTom12 wrote:
1) it depends. Is engine A on the fine pitch stop and engine B governing to (selected) max RPM? CS props are weird, can’t think of them like a FP prop unless you’re on a hard stop which is a pretty small part of the operating range.

2) it depends. Engine horsepower available at 2600 and 2800, blade design, etc etc etc. There’s a ton more variables here than you can eliminate successfully for a “rough swag” answer that trends towards correctness.
I think when you say static RPM with a CS prop, it is on the stops. When you go full power with the prop knob all the way in, the governor won't be in the CS range yet and the prop should be right against its stops. Least that's how my feeble mind unsterstands it...


My understanding is the same as A1s; at max static the prop is supposed to be on the fine pitch stops. I don't know if that is reality.

CamTom, I agree there are many variables but I think enough of them may be eliminated for a swag. In Q2 I'm referring to the same model prop on the same engine with the only differences being one prop is 4" shorter and the fine pitch stops are set up to achieve the correct rpm.
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Re: Theoretical Propeller Questions

You can only charge one thing at a time!!! So engine A, the higher the engine rpm the higher the hp. Same for engine B. You have to fix prop length and pitch to see how much hp is required to turn it and what type of pull it will produce. Sometimes what people don't see is the fine print!! A 0360 lycoming that makes 200 hp sounds great, but when you see 2850 or more for max rpm you say well mine could do that!!! Beware of fine print and look at mission. A constant speed prop will do a lot, but even they have limits!!
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Re: Theoretical Propeller Questions

On most big 6 cylinder engines, lycoming and continental both, if you hold the brakes and firewall the throttle it's right on the fine edge of wether or not the prop governor is starting to keep rpms at 2700 or 2850, whatever max rated rpm is for a given engine/prop combo. Generally speaking everything should be engineered so max static rpm is achieved with your constant speed prop just kissing the fine pitch stops.

As soon as you're rolling and airspeed is alive is when the governor "usually" comes into action. In this age of hopped up engines and StC'd props it may not be so well defined.
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Re: Theoretical Propeller Questions

The props will adjust, so you cannot compare them this way. A Cessna 185 with an IO-520 has a redline of 2800 with an 82 inch Mac on. With an IO-550 and a Hartzell, the redline is 2500. It is clear when you push in the throttle that the latter has a lot more pull, but the Mac is widely regarded as the prop with more pull.

I expect the props are really only at the stops when the engine is at reduced power approaching to land, with the prop full forward, or when the engine is older and gets a bit tired...other than that the props are adjusting to limit engine rpm, including in static and on takeoff.


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Re: Theoretical Propeller Questions

Troy Hamon wrote:The props will adjust, so you cannot compare them this way. A Cessna 185 with an IO-520 has a redline of 2800 with an 82 inch Mac on. With an IO-550 and a Hartzell, the redline is 2500. It is clear when you push in the throttle that the latter has a lot more pull, but the Mac is widely regarded as the prop with more pull.

I expect the props are really only at the stops when the engine is at reduced power approaching to land, with the prop full forward, or when the engine is older and gets a bit tired...other than that the props are adjusting to limit engine rpm, including in static and on takeoff.


Your IO520/Mac and IO550/Hartzell comparison doesn't really apply here but I do find it interesting the Hart has more pull. That's not the first time I've heard that.

The two prop shops I've talked to agree with Halestorm on how a CS prop 'should' be set up; just touching the fine pitch stops at max static RPM. Once the plane starts rolling the governor takes over. This may not be reality because if the engine turns too high of static rpm mechanics will lower the rpm by adjusting the governor. How often that happens I don't know and neither did the prop shop I asked.
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Re: Theoretical Propeller Questions

Is this a purely theoretical question, or does it have implications for your BH?
If you're gonna run a 2-blade, I would run just as long a prop as I could while staying within the .88-.92 mach "sweet spot".
Now a long two blade vs shorter 3-blade.... that's a whole nother can of worms.

I suggest that you go back to Ponk's tip speed calculator and see what punching in different temps gets you.
Tip speed goes up as temp goes down.
A prop that's well within the sweet spot on a 59F degree standard day might bust mach when it's colder.

For example, my C180 turning 2600 with an 88" prop is at .895 mach on a standard day.
At freezing (32F / 0C), it's at .919-- barely in the zone.
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Re: Theoretical Propeller Questions

hotrod180 wrote:Is this a purely theoretical question, or does it have implications for your BH?

Implications isn't the right word; predictions maybe. I'm not really looking for advice on what to do for my BH. I've talked to people, chased down leads for info and have developed a plan. The results, when we finally get there, may or may not be of interest to some here.

I suggest that you go back to Ponk's tip speed calculator and see what punching in different temps gets you.
Tip speed goes up as temp goes down.
A prop that's well within the sweet spot on a 59F degree standard day might bust mach when it's colder.

Where do you suppose I got the above referenced mach numbers... :wink: I've been mostly using 0C when I punch in the numbers. I used 20C in the above numbers because that's a more realistic number for summer flying.
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Re: Theoretical Propeller Questions

I figured you got your data from Ponk's website--
I posted about checking at different temps because I was surprised how much difference it made in tip speed.

A quick check on wiki indicates that all but one version of the IO-360 Cont make 210hp at 2800.
I know you didn't ask, but I would gear my prop choice based on turning up to that speed,
since that's where the max power is.

FWIW an 82" prop at 2800rpm & 0 centigrade just busts outa the sweet spot at .9217.
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