PROPELLER ESSENTIALS

Choosing the right prop for your plane is usually as simple as following the recommendations of the plane, motor, or engine manufacturer. But what happens if you want to use a prop you have on hand? Will a prop that’s just slightly larger or smaller have noticeably lower performance? Maybe you prefer to fly with a wood prop instead of a plastic, resin, or carbon-fiber prop … does the material matter? If you’re flying electric, should you use a prop designed for electric power? Suddenly your choices don’t seem so cut and dry. In this article, we’ll provide the answers to these questions and more.

PROP SPECS

All propellers are sold by two main specifications: the diameter and the pitch. Understanding these two specs will help you when it comes time to fine-tune the way your airplane