Propellors from Guernsey

Recently returning from a holiday in the Channel Islands I had a look through past editions of AudlemOnline to catch up on local news. I came across Geoff Farr's informative contribution about aircraft propellers which stuck an immediate chord (note the aeronautical term!).

We flew back to Manchester from Guernsey on an Aurigny Airways ATR 72-500, a small propeller driven aircraft. Settling into my window seat in Row 3, I was immediately aware and somewhat disconcerted to find that the end of the port engine's prop blade was only a couple of feet from my head.

I therefore had a close up experience of Geoff's theory being played out in practice and can confirm for your readers that when the engine started the blade was in fine pitch presenting a narrow profile to me. As it climbed to cruising height I saw the profile change to a much wider aspect as it went into coarse pitch.

Thanks Geoff for your excellent theoretical explanation of what I observed on the flight.

Anthony Pearson

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