In a variable pitch propeller, who is able to adjust blade pitch during flight?

In a variable pitch propeller, who is able to adjust blade pitch during flight?

• A. The Flight Crew
• B. The Ground Technician
• C. The Autopilot System
• D. The Pilot

Answer: (D)

In a variable pitch propeller, blade angle is controlled by the propeller governor, which responds to the pilot’s setting. The pilot uses the propeller control lever to choose a target engine speed (RPM); the governor automatically moves the blades to reach and hold that speed as load and airspeed change. So, during flight, the person who actively adjusts blade pitch is the pilot. Ground technicians work on the aircraft on the ground, and autopilot systems don’t normally manipulate propeller blade angle in normal flight.

In a variable pitch propeller, blade angle is controlled by the propeller governor, which responds to the pilot’s setting. The pilot uses the propeller control lever to choose a target engine speed (RPM); the governor automatically moves the blades to reach and hold that speed as load and airspeed change. So, during flight, the person who actively adjusts blade pitch is the pilot. Ground technicians work on the aircraft on the ground, and autopilot systems don’t normally manipulate propeller blade angle in normal flight.