Pilot Institute

JUNE 4, 2025

When the pitch lever is moved back, the propeller pitch angle becomes coarse (the opposite is called fine), and the propeller takes a larger slice of air by increasing the blades angle of attack. When the propellers angle of attack increases, the engines torque increases, which effectively slows down the engines components.

Blade Angle 80

Blade Angle Torque Pilot Cockpit 80

Pilot Institute

JUNE 12, 2025

Pitch affects how much the propeller blade bites into the air to force it backward. Many variable pitch propellers can have their blade angle decreased past zero to a negative angle. They have to absorb and dissipate a lot of kinetic energy to slow the airplane down.

Thrust 52

Thrust Blade Angle Runway Pilot 52

Pilot Institute

JANUARY 21, 2025

The pitch lever (blue lever) adjusts the propeller blade angle to control RPM. Fixed Pitch Propeller With these propellers, the blade angle remains constant and cannot be adjusted during flight. RPM shows how fast the engines crankshaft and propeller spin. Increase the throttle, and both the MP and RPM rise.

Blade Angle 52

Blade Angle Pilot Descent Operating Limitations 52