REFLECTOR: Reflector Digest, Vol 87, Issue 124

[Brooke Wolf]

Not an expert Don, but I think you are right (others please chime in).  When you are out of oil you are SOL.  You are going to be landing closer to current position because without oil pressure, your prop resorts to fine pitch resulting in more drag.  But don't worry too much….spin that prop too long with no oil and you will end up with a stopped prop.  Less Drag!  Isn't that swell :>)   That is a good question about windmilling in course .vs. stopped in fine.  Don't know the answer.

Brooke

 

> There's one point missing from this conversation:
> 
> There are a lot of ways an engine can fail. Pulling the prop control back to improve the glide is only going to work in some of those failure modes. On an engine with a non-electric prop governor, pulling the prop control back is only going to help if A) there is oil in the engine and B) the engine is turning. If the failure is a result of no oil or the engine isn't turning, pulling the prop control back won't affect the prop. 
> 
> Which then brings up the topic of what is the drag difference of a stopped prop in fine (control forward) mode vs. windmilling in course (control back) mode?
> 
> Now discuss. :-)
> 
> -Don
> 
> 
>