Linked Questions
33 questions linked to/from What is the propeller efficiency, $μ_p$, of modern propellers for light sport aircraft?
2
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Is there a mathematical formula to find the most efficient propeller? [duplicate]
Is there a mathematical formula to find the most efficient propeller? Is a five-blade better than a four-blade? Does software exist to aid in the calculations there?
31
votes
2
answers
42k
views
What are the advantages of more than 4 propeller blades?
I have heard that propellers with more than four blades are not as efficient as 4 or less blades because of lower thrust which may result from interfering prop-streams. But I see the ATR-42/72 and ...
23
votes
4
answers
4k
views
Would an aircraft with contra-rotating propellers longer than the plane's wingspan be able to fly?
I enjoy taking the time to try and visualize how fictional aircraft might actually work in reality. Unfortunately there are some that seem highly impractical from an engineering student's point of ...
26
votes
2
answers
9k
views
Is it possible to fly with counterbalanced single blade engines?
Refer the image for counterbalanced single blade (Source http://www.aviastar.org/helicopters_eng/bo-103.php).
In ground school, they took us for aircraft inspection at end of our ground school ...
16
votes
5
answers
4k
views
Why is thrust inverse to speed in piston engines?
It is said that piston engines have constant power output, and thus their thrust is inverse to speed (e.g. here), while turbines have relatively constant thrust. I'm looking for an intuitive ...
18
votes
4
answers
9k
views
Why is max endurance different for jet and props?
Max endurance speed is not the same for gliders, propeller planes (also for turbo prop, right?) and jet planes.
While for for jet planes max endurance is at the minimum drag speed ($V_{md}$), for ...
27
votes
1
answer
18k
views
Is there any equation to bind velocity, thrust and power?
I am designing a remote controlled airship. I will tune it so that the lift given by Archimedes' Principle will exactly balance the weight of all the structure. It will be propelled by brushless ...
10
votes
4
answers
2k
views
How can best glide speed be lower than best rate of climb speed?
I was looking up V-speeds for C172. I don't have easy access to an official copy of the POH, but online I found:
$V_y$, best rate of climb speed (at sea level): 76 KIAS (p22)
$V_{glide}$, maximum ...
10
votes
7
answers
3k
views
Explained intuitively, why does aspect ratio affect induced drag?
Over the last few hours, I've been trying to intuitively understand induced drag, and how aspect ratio affects it. I already know the equations, but while they explain the relationship, they do not ...
6
votes
5
answers
2k
views
What determines maximum speed of a propeller aircraft - Thrust or Power?
I'm reviewing training materials1 for straight and level flight.
The content focuses on drag types and explains that the required thrust curve is equivalent to the total drag curve. It then introduces ...
3
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Is there any theoretical problem powering the fan with an electric motor [duplicate]
A question that I have been wondering about lately is whether it would be possible to power the fan in a modern hi-bypass turbofan with an electric motor and achieve performance comparable to the ...
6
votes
5
answers
8k
views
Guidelines for using a constant speed/adjustable pitch propeller
I have been trained in a single engine fixed pitch prop ( C152). I'm trying to move to Piper Arrow II which has an adjustable pitch propeller. I understand how constant speed propellers work. I'm ...
12
votes
2
answers
6k
views
How is the induced drag calculated for a wing with elliptical planform?
How is the induced drag calculated for a wing with elliptical planform ? Is this wing shape the most efficient ?
8
votes
3
answers
5k
views
What is compressibility drag?
I don't mean wave drag here. What is compressibility drag, which is understood to be a form of miscellaneous drag?
5
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Can this design provide more lift force than thrust from engine?
The problem is depicted in the picture:
Generally, why we don't use engine blow wings to fly? Can we use wind-tunnel-like wing to generate lift force?
Can it generate more lift than thrust? If it ...
5
votes
5
answers
3k
views
How does the nozzle diameter affect the thrust of a ducted propeller?
I currently do some experiments with ducted propellers in which I try to figure out which effect a nozzle has on the thrust produced.
My theory goes like this: If I reduce the exit diameter of the ...
7
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Is 1 propeller always more efficient than 2?
Based on other answers I've read here (1) (2) (3), a single large blade propeller is the most efficient type of thrust you can get.
There are 2 reasons for this (as I understand it). Firstly, ...
10
votes
2
answers
3k
views
What is the maximum theoretical lift of a plane as a function of engine power and surface of the wings?
Maximum theoretical lift of a plane as a function of engine power and surface of the wings?
I know that the maximum static thrust of a propeller turned by an engine of power $P$ can not be greater ...
6
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Why don't contra-rotating propeller configurations with more than two propellers exist?
I wasn't able to find a single example of more than two propellers stacked axially in a contra-rotating configuration. There is a huge number of contra-rotating propeller setups, but it is always a ...
6
votes
2
answers
3k
views
How does climb-rate vary with density/pressure altitude?
I'm seeking to write a little web or phone app which can help me choose the best cruising altitude based upon winds aloft. I know Garmin Pilot (and probably Foreflight) have a cruising altitude ...
7
votes
1
answer
691
views
How much energy/prop efficiency does the e-volo copter sacrifice by having a smaller propeller?
It seems like on an electric aircraft, it would be very important to have a high energy efficiency. Wouldn't the e-volo copter be much less efficient due to the small radius of the propellers when ...
4
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Is there a special way to calculate the (parasitic) drag produced by the propeller?
Is there a special way to calculate the drag produced by the propeller? Can I compute it with the standard formula for parasitic drag, with the circular area of the propeller as the wetted area?
To ...
1
vote
1
answer
3k
views
What is the Efficiency of Cessna-150's Propeller?
From that Cessna-150's data, it used Continental 0-200-A 100 HP (75 kW) at 2,750 RPM and with Fixed Pitch propeller with its diameter=69 inches. If power is delivered maximum to the propeller (through ...
3
votes
1
answer
2k
views
What is the difference between types of propeller? [closed]
I have been noticing almost every Multirotor vehicle uses a single thin double-bladed propellor on each axis. And yet clearly, there are some that do not fit the norm.
Can someone explain what the ...
0
votes
1
answer
2k
views
static thrust vs. prop RPM data?
edit: question was too long, and is actually simple, so I removed unneccesary description
Background:
There are many questions here about:
propeller efficiency
changes to thrust when it is dynamic
...
0
votes
2
answers
813
views
Would large, low aspect ratio fan/propeller blades be more efficient? Why not?
With reference to this answer
We read in the above that accelerating a larger mass of air by a smaller amount is (theoretically) more efficient. This is an advantage of a larger propeller than is ...
2
votes
2
answers
448
views
How much is a swashplate system more energy efficient than a fixed blade system for the same load
When reading about the lifting capacity of swashplates (as found in helicopters) vs fixed blade systems (as found in e.g. DJI drones), I read a lot of comments about the fact that the bigger rotors of ...
4
votes
1
answer
448
views
Matching the Drag Equation to Real Airplane Data
I am trying to compute airplane performance for a piston-driven airplane with constant speed prop using the standard equations for Lift, Thrust and Drag. I have found that there are a couple of useful ...
4
votes
2
answers
229
views
Can the measured thrust of a propeller be greater than the max thrust predicted by Froude's theory?
Can the measured thrust of a propeller be greater than the maximum possible thrust predicted by Froude's Propeller Theory?
Is Froude's theory reliable in practice regarding the upper limit of the ...
1
vote
1
answer
396
views
How energy efficient is an aircraft take off?
How much work is generally done by an aircraft (e.g. B737NG) in order to reach V_rotate, and how does this compare to the energy content of the fuel that is used?
2
votes
1
answer
119
views
What is the range of ratios between optimal propeller efficiency and true propeller efficiency?
In https://aviation.stackexchange.com/a/15383/20394, the optimal prop efficiency is given as:
$$\eta^{opt}_{Prop} = \frac{1 - \frac{\Delta v\cdot \left({v_{\infty} + \frac{\Delta v}{2}}\right)}{d_P^2\...
1
vote
1
answer
176
views
Is flow attached at fixed propeller blade at every RPM / speed conditions?
Propeller blade AoA depends on tangential veloctiy caused by rotation and forward speed "head wind".
If propeller has fixed pitch is flow attached on blade at every RPM / speed conditions?
...
1
vote
1
answer
88
views
What are some first-order drag approximations for airframe/propwash interactions?
What are some first-order drag approximations for airframe/propwash interactions, both for dynamic flight and for static thrust, in a traditional tractor configuration?