I need help with variable pitch propellers

Loud_Silence · 03-27-09, 07:22 PM

I've been with flight sims for a long time, but i still don't understand how to use VP propellers efficiently. I know that it works somewhat like the gears in a car; with a high propeller RPM, you get the highest power, but at a speed high enough the propeller pitch causes enough drag to overcome the engine power. The point is, how do i know when it's time to set a lower RPM?

Schroeder · 03-28-09, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loud_Silence

I've been with flight sims for a long time, but i still don't understand how to use VP propellers efficiently. I know that it works somewhat like the gears in a car; with a high propeller RPM, you get the highest power, but at a speed high enough the propeller pitch causes enough drag to overcome the engine power. The point is, how do i know when it's time to set a lower RPM?

I'm not an expert but the following should give you a rough overview:
In a dive lower RPMs (I usually set it to 70%) will help you to gain speed. In a climb you can always have it to 100%. I think in level flight 100% or 90% should get you the highest speed.
But maybe someone with a bit more knowledge has more accurate numbers.

Dowly · 03-28-09, 01:30 PM

I use it as Schroeder descriped. Except, I only use it on P51, AFAIK, in IL2 not many planes have any advantage of using prop pitch.

Raptor1 · 03-28-09, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dowly

I use it as Schroeder descriped. Except, I only use it on P51, AFAIK, in IL2 not many planes have any advantage of using prop pitch.

Really? I've seen plenty that can...

Dowly · 03-28-09, 01:48 PM

Be quiet Hurrijockey.

Schroeder · 03-28-09, 05:08 PM

Actually all planes with a constant speed propeller (I think that is the English name for that) will benefit from the tactics described above.

Fincuan · 03-29-09, 08:47 AM

Schröder pretty much nailed it.

I use it quite similarily:
Take off and final approach: 100%
Level flight: The same as throttle
Climb: Usually the same as throttle, or 100%.
Dive: 100% up to 450-500 km/h IAS, then to 80%, then to 50%. When speed drops again after the dive I put it back to 100% around 600-650 km/h IAS. I've only really tested this with P-38s, P-47s, P-51s and the mid-to-late-war Navy rides, so no idea how it works on other aircraft.

03-27-09, 07:22 PM	#1
Loud_Silence Planesman Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 193 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I need help with variable pitch propellers I've been with flight sims for a long time, but i still don't understand how to use VP propellers efficiently. I know that it works somewhat like the gears in a car; with a high propeller RPM, you get the highest power, but at a speed high enough the propeller pitch causes enough drag to overcome the engine power. The point is, how do i know when it's time to set a lower RPM?

03-28-09, 05:08 PM	#6
Schroeder Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Banana Republic of Germany Posts: 6,170 Downloads: 62 Uploads: 0	Actually all planes with a constant speed propeller (I think that is the English name for that) will benefit from the tactics described above. __________________ Putting Germ back into Germany.

03-28-09, 01:30 PM	#3
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,054 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	I use it as Schroeder descriped. Except, I only use it on P51, AFAIK, in IL2 not many planes have any advantage of using prop pitch.

03-28-09, 01:48 PM	#5
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,054 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	Be quiet Hurrijockey.

03-29-09, 08:47 AM	#7
Fincuan Admiral Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Suomi, sauna, puukko, perkele Posts: 2,346 Downloads: 39 Uploads: 0	Schröder pretty much nailed it. I use it quite similarily: Take off and final approach: 100% Level flight: The same as throttle Climb: Usually the same as throttle, or 100%. Dive: 100% up to 450-500 km/h IAS, then to 80%, then to 50%. When speed drops again after the dive I put it back to 100% around 600-650 km/h IAS. I've only really tested this with P-38s, P-47s, P-51s and the mid-to-late-war Navy rides, so no idea how it works on other aircraft.