CONSTANT SPEED PROPELLER

A constant speed propeller is a type of propeller that can change its blade pitch to take better advantage of the power supplied by an engine in much the same way that a transmission in a car takes better advantage of its power source. The mechanism varies depending on the aircraft, but the effect is to change the angle of attack of the propeller blades to take a smaller or larger "bite" of air as it rotates.

Operation An airplane propeller operates as the source of thrust that moves the plane forward. When an airplane is stationary with the propeller spinning (in calm air), air flows past the narrow leading edge of the propeller. This is the most efficient configuration as the drag forces on the propeller are the lowest. As the airplane starts moving forward, the airflow begins to push against the front, wider cross section of the propeller, creating greater drag. A constant-speed propeller is able to rotate along the longest axis of the blade to take a sharper bite of air with respect to the airplane, allowing the propeller to maintain the most efficient orientation to the airflow around it. This balances the tradeoff that fixedpitch propellers must make between high take-off performance and high cruise performance.

A shallower angle of attack requires the least horsepower, but the highest RPM because the propeller is not moving very much air with each revolution. This is similar to a car operating in low gear: when you get up to speed you want to slow down the engine while still producing enough power to keep the vehicle moving. This is accomplished in an airplane by increasing the angle of attack of the propeller. This means that the propeller moves more air per revolution and allows the engine to spin slower while moving an equivalent volume of air, thus maintaining velocity. The first attempts at constant-speed propellers were called counterweight propellers which were driven by mechanisms which operated on centrifugal force. Acounterbalance was set up near or in the spinner, held in by a spring. When the propeller reached a certain RPM, centrifugal force would cause these counterbalances to swing outwards, which would drive a mechanism that twisted the propeller into a steeper pitch. When the airplane slowed down, the RPM would decrease enough for the spring to push the counterweights back in, realigning the propeller to the shallower pitch. In newer models of constant-speed propellers, oil is pumped through the propeller shaft to push on a piston which drives the mechanism to change pitch. The flow of oil and the pitch is controlled by a governor, consisting of a speeder spring, fly weights, and a pilot valve. The tension of the speeder spring is set by the prop control lever, which sets the RPMs. The governor will maintain that RPM setting until an over speed or under speed condition exists. When an over speed condition occurs, the propeller begins to rotate faster than the desired RPM setting. This would occur as the plane descends and airspeed increases. The fly weights begin to pull outward due to centrifugal force which further compresses the speeder spring. As that happens, the piston moves forward allowing the pilot valve to open and oil to flow from the oil sump into the hub. This increase in oil pressure will increase the pitch of the propeller angle causing it to slow back down to the desired RPM setting. When an underspeed condition occurs, as in a climb with loss of airspeed, just the opposite takes place. The airspeed decreases causing the propeller to slow down. This will cause the fly weights to move inward due to a lack in centrifugal force and tension will be released from the speeder spring. As this happens, the piston will move in the opposite direction causing the pilot valve to allow oil to flow from the hub back to the oil sump. The propeller blade angle will now decrease to a lower pitch allowing the propeller to speed back up to the desired RPM setting. This process usually takes place frequently throughout flight.

All high-performance aircraft have constant-speed propellers as they vastly improve fuel efficiency and performance, especially at high altitude. Constant speed units Main article: Propeller governor A constant speed unit (CSU) or propeller governor is the device fitted to one of these propellers to automatically change its pitch so as to attempt to keep engine speed constant. Most engines produce their maximum power in a narrow speed band. The CSU can be said to be to an aircraft what the CVT is to the motor car: the engine can be kept running at its optimum speed no matter what speed the aircraft is flying through the air. The advent of the CSU had another benefit: it allowed the designers of aircraft engines to keep ignition systems simple - the automatic spark advance seen in motor vehicle engines is simplified in aircraft engines. Three methods are used to vary the pitch. Engine oil pressure is the usual mechanism used in commercial aircraft and the Continental and Lycoming engines fitted to light aircraft. Alternatively or additionally centrifugal weights may be attached directly to the propeller as in the Yak-52. Small modern engines such as the Rotax 912 which have a CSU may use either the traditional hydraulic method or an electrical pitch control mechanism. A pilot requires some additional training and, in most jurisdictions, a formal signoff before being allowed to fly aircraft fitted with a CSU. CSUs are not allowed to be fitted to aircraft certified under the USA Light-sport Aircraft regulations.

AIRCRAFT MODEL The Cessna 182 Skylane is an American four-seat, single-engine, light airplane, built by Cessna of Wichita, Kansas. It has the option of adding two child seats, installed in the baggage area. Introduced in 1956, the 182 has been produced in a number of variants, including a version with retractable landing gear, and is the second most popular Cessna model, after the 172.

Engine Choices All Glasair Super II models are designed for the installation of certified Lycoming four-cylinder aircraft engines of either 320 or 360 cu. in. displacement. Within this category, however, there are innumerable choices among engines of different model, horsepower, propeller requirement, etc. -- both new and used. The following information should help you choose the best engine and propeller combination for your particular needs. The engine model you choose will determine the type of engine mount and exhaust system required for your airplane. O-320 Series Carbureted Engines A carbureted Lycoming O-320 engine can be installed on any Glasair Super II aircraft model. This engine is available in 150 hp, low-compression and 160 hp, highcompression versions. If you choose to go this route, the 160 hp variant is recommended because the higher compression ratio makes the engine inherently more fuel efficient than the 150 hp version. Most 150 hp O-320s can be upgraded to 160 hp by installing a set of high-compression pistons with heavier wrist pins. When looking for an engine, remember that the B and

D series O-320s are 160 hp, while the A, C and E series are 150 hp. The only O-320 engines that cannot be used on the Glasair Super II are the H series engines, the crankcases of which feature an integral accessory case. An important factor to consider when selecting a Lycoming O-320 engine is the location of the carburetor on the oil sump. Early-model O-320s (A, B and C series) have updraft carburetors mounted toward the aft end on the underside of the sump. This carburetor location is not suitable for the Super II because it interferes with the nose gear on the RG and FT and with the exhaust system on all three models. These early-model O-320s can still be adapted to use on the Super II, but the oil sump and intake tubes must be replaced with those from a later-model O-320-D or -E. O-360 Series Carbureted Engines With certain minor modifications, carbureted, 180 hp Lycoming O-360 engines are suitable for use in the Super II FT and TD models but not in the RG. This is because the carburetor on the O-360 extends down about one inch lower than the O-320 carburetor and interferes with the retractable nose gear. Also, because of the lower carburetor, the lower cowling half on the Super II FT and TD has to be slightly enlarged by the builder to provide clearance for the carb air inlet box. Several Glasair builders have made these modifications quite successfully. IO-360 Series Fuel-Injected Engines Fuel-injected 180 hp Lycoming IO-360 engines are also suitable for installation in all models of the Super II, and in fact, this series has increasingly become the engine of choice among Super II builders. Many models in this series can be installed in the Super II without builder modification; other models require some amount of modification to the engine. Any 180 hp IO-360 with an aft-mounted injector servo can be installed in the Super II with little or no modification. Models with servos in other locations cannot be accommodated in the standard cowling; in order to utilize these engines in the Super II, the builder must either swap the oil sump for one with the servo mount aft or design a custom air induction system and modify the cowling to match. These tasks are certainly not beyond the abilities of many builders. IO-360s of the A and C series are 200 hp engines, and some of these engines can be used in some Super IIs. IO-360-As feature forward-mounted injector servos, while -Cs have aft-mounted ones. Neither series of 200 hp IO-360 is suitable for use in the Super II FT, because they both interfere with the nose gear truss. However, with a slight builder-modification to the cowling, C series engines with aft-mounted servos can be used in the RG and TD. The modification, which consists of fabricating two small teardrop-

shaped blisters around the forward-most pair of cylinders, is necessitated by the slightly greater width of the 200 hp model. IO-360-A engines can also be used in the RG and TD models, but only if the oil sump and intake tubes are swapped for ones with an aft-mounted injector servo. Note: There is also an injected, 160 hp engine -- the IO-320-B1A -- that can be used in the Super II. This engine was used in the Piper Twin Comanche, and thus has some limited availability on the used market. Engine Model Recommendations As the preceding paragraphs have shown, there is a wide range of suitable engine options for the Super II. This breadth of choices increases the versatility of the Super II design, but we recognize that it may also threaten some potential builders with information overload! For this reason, we offer the following specific recommendations: For builders planning on using a fixed-pitch propeller (see section on propeller selection below), we recommend the O-320-E2D. This engine -probably the most widely available model on the used market -- is a 150 hp, carbureted engine but is upgradeable to 160 hp when overhauled. A good used engine for those installing a constant-speed propeller is the O-320-E2A. This is also a 150 hp carbureted engine that is upgradeable to 160 hp. For those who desire a factory-new carbureted engine, the O-320-D1F is the best choice. This is a 160 hp engine that can be fitted with either a fixed-pitch or constant-speed propeller. This engine comes with a prop governor mounting pad on the front of the crankcase; other models with the governor pad on the accessory case are subject to some bothersome ADs that the D1F is not. O-320-D1Fs are available direct from Glasair Aviation, LLC at an attractive OEM price. For a 180 hp, fuel-injected engine, we recommend the IO-360-B1E or -E1A; the former is available at OEM prices from Glasair Aviation, LLC. Either model can be fitted with a constant-speed propeller. Note: Because of the wide variety of engines adaptable for use in the Super II, all fuel injection induction systems are available as optional installations only. A carbureted induction system is standard.

MANUFACTURE OF THE CONSTANT SPEED PROPELLER

Webname AEROBAT, Spain

Description of ultralight aviation site The wood which we used in Aerobat, is a type of hard wood specially treated and cut for us, its origin is of the French Normandia.

Country Spain

AeroLux Propeller AeroLux over the last ten years gathered some of the best talented Propeller engineers and thru their efforts they have developed the best of the best propellers on the market to day. AEROPROP Aerotek 2000 Airmaster NEWAlbatross Flying Systems ARKTECH PROPELLER 2-5 blade composite props, springs for suspension. Propellers are designed for Rotax 912 and Jabiru 3300 engines. 4-cyl driven, max. 3300 rpm suitable for 912, 912S, 914, Jabiru 2200 & 3300 engines. Manufacture of High quality laminated wooden propellers for Ultralight aircraft and UAV's

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Ukraine Australia USA India

We manufacture wooden propellers for Ultra Australia light aircrafts, paramotors and other special applications. Our propellers are made of Germany Beech which are dried and processed for our purpose. Each type of propellers are carefully designed, CNC machine cut and manually polished. Des hlices pour laviation de loisir et des pices en composite pour construction amateur... Only in French Arrowprop Company manufacturers wood and composite Aircraft Propellers, Ultralight Aircraft Propellers and Experimental Aircraft Propellers. France

Arplast ECOprop Propellers Arrowprop Company

USA

Bolly Optima All BOS 2, 3 & 4 blades are sold as digital Series Propellers weight matched component sets

Australia

Brolga Propellers Low cost 2, 3 and 4 blade composite propellers for ultralights, airboats and hovercraft. Over 17,000 props produced since 1982. (production stopped in 2006) Catto Propellers Almost 1000 propellers have been made for applications from a 1hp electric motor up to a turbo charged 350hp IO-540 Using your tachometer and manifold pressure it is possible to set any combination of RPM and MAP you like. THIS IS THE STANDARD CONTROLLER FOR ALL HUBS for Rotax 582, 912, 914, Jabiru and Subaru. Valley Engineering, L.L.C and Culver Propellers specialize in giving you the very best in speed reduction units for the VW engine, and custom made propellers for your ultralight aircraft. Visit the great prop pitch calculator. The manufacturing of DUC FC propellers answers the strictest industry standards, including the use of a unique production tool specially built to ensure you the highest quality. Choose your own propeller.

USA

USA

Constant Speed Prop from Quinti Avio

Italy

Culverprops

USA

DUC Propellers

France

Edward Sterpa Sterba Propellers are homebuilt and made of Aircraft Propeller Hard Maple, Northern Birch, and Cherry wood laminated in our shop using Plastic Resin Glue. Also many rules of thump and other information. E-PROPS The ELECTRAVIA company designs, manufactures and markets propellers for non certified light aircraft : airplanes, motorgliders, ultralights, trikes, gyroplane and paramotors. manufacturer of in-flight variable pitch propellers for Ultralight Carve your own propeller. The Gemini Propeller Duplicator is a machine that allows

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France

fp-propeller Gemini Propeller Duplicator

Italy USA

individuals to easily and accurately carve wooden propellers for experimental aircraft. GSC Systems GSC Systems has been propelling the world since 1984 and is one of the oldest and most world-wide renowned propeller manufacturing companies. GT PROPELLERS is the only company to have produced the tail rotor and the mixed woods and composites particular blade installed on the L221, twin engine light and single bladed main rotor helicopter. Die Firma HELIX Kunststofftechnik entwickelt und produziert seit 1990 Propeller fr einen breiten Anwendungsbereich. Canada

GT Propellers

Italy

HELIX

Germany

Hoffmann Propeller

HOFFMANN design, manufacture, maintain and Germany overhaul propellers with blades in wooden composite construction for every imaginable purpose, mainly for the General Aviation, Hovercraft and any special applications such as blades for windtunnels in the automotive industries. In der Abbildung(links unten) ist unser Patent fr Propeller fr Sie zu sehen. Dieses berechtigt uns zum Bau von Hochleistungpropellern aus Holz, welche wir in mhevoller Handarbeit fertigen. Many US manufatures and suppliers of propellers listed Wooden propellers for Limbach, Rotax 503, WV and JPX and other engines. More than 20000 propellers sold. Propellers up to 700 HP - Quick adjustable and in-flight adjustable: Ultralight, Medium and Magnum models. Germany

Holz wird durch Uns erst schn.......

Homebuilt Homepage Propellers HOR-PROP IVOPROP

USA

Slovak Republic USA

JC Propeller Design

You are going to build your own propeller for your homebuilt aircraft, but how do you know what size to build? What diameter, pitch, blade area and NR of blades are best? This page describes a simple method of making a two bladed composite propeller, by Jukka Tervamaki.

Sweden

Making a Composite Prop mt-propeller

Finland

mt-Propeller is located directly at the Germany Straubing Airport (EDMS) in South Germany. Development, Production, Sales and Service of MT Variable and MT Fixed Pitch Propellers. MTPropeller was founded by Gerd Mhlbauer in 1981, who started his career in the design of propellers for general aviation and other applications in 1968. The high quality standard of our manufacturing is an important aspect to your safety. The attention to detail on the surface of our propeller-blades gives you a visible example of our invisible quality inside the blades. Air props for light aircrafts, moto hang-gliders, autogyros Germany

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PE AERO

Ukraine Poland Slovenia

Peszke Propellers Carbon fiber and aluminium hub, max. 120 HP and 3000 rpm. Pipistrel Propellers Powerfin Inc. Makes 2, 3 and 4 blade propellers for low noise and variable pitch purposes up to 100HP. Powerfin Inc. offer the ultralight and small experimental pilot the safest, most efficient, highest quality carbon fiber composite propellers. The P-Prop is renowned as a high quality wood and composite propeller for homebuilt and microlight aircraft. Each prop is hand crafted

USA

P-Prop Wood Propellers

South Africa

to the most exacting standards and suited to your performance needs. Prince Aircraft Company The Prince P-TIP Propeller is unique. It has many features not normally found with a fixed pitch propeller, including automatic pitch changing and anhedral. Experience acquired by Alisport into design and production of composite structures perfectly integrates Alisport know-how, a Company from years specialized in the manufacturing of ultralight avionic components, in particular of in-flight variable pitch propellers IDROVARIO, with hydraulic control system. Years of experience and feedback go into making the best possible propeller for your special use. I have made over 3,000 propellers dating back to 1985. I have made a propeller for nearly every type of aircraft, even human powered submarines and flight, windmills too. The props are designed by Russian professional aerodynamic engineers and has excellent operating characteristics USA

PROPELLERS IDROVARIO

Italy

Props Inc

USA

Russian Propellers Sauer Natural Composite Propellers

Canada

Reduced Weight SAUER Natural Composite Germany Propellers are significantly lighter than carbon or fiberglass propeller systems. This is a weight savings where it is most important, on the end of your engine crankshaft. Reduced vibration Carbon and fiberglass supports harmonic vibration. Natural Composite does not. Other parts of your airplane (gyros, motor mounts, radios, heat muffs, cowlings) will last longer with reduced vibration. Sensenich Propeller manufactures and services our own Fixed Pitch Wood, Aluminum and Composite Ground Adjustable Propellers for Airboats, Aircraft and UAVs. USA

Sensenich Wood Propellers

Tennessee Propellers Inc

Tennessee Propellers Inc. manufactures wooden propeller for ultralight and microlight aircraft. They are also the world distributor for Zenoah two cycle engines. UL Aviation is the Ukrainian -Finnish Company, a developer and manufacturer of GAProp ground adjustable propellers. Great Spanish link to manufacturers of propellers for ultralight aircrafts.

USA

UL Aviation

Ukraine

ULTRALIGHT AVIATION PORTAL, Propellers VALEX

Spain

FABRICANT D'HELICES POUR L'AERONAUTIQUE VALEX est une entreprise artisanale, implante en Charente Barbezieux Saint Hilaire, aux portes du Sudouest de la France. Depuis plus de 10 ans VALEX produit pour l'aronautique des hlices en bois... Propeller design for Ultralight aircraft. We are dealers for Warp Drive carbon fiber propellers and offer factory-direct pricing to our customers. Whirl Wind offers a complete line of composite constant speed propellers for the most popular kitplanes with engines like Rotax 912 and 914. Low noise propellers for Rotax 912/914 engines, and for larger engines. Wooden propellers and the former SportsProp propellers

France

Velezprop Warp Drive Carbon Fiber Composite Propellers Whirl Wind Propellers Whirlwind Aviation WOODCOMP

Hungary USA

USA

USA Czech Republic