What is coarse pitch in terms of propeller setting?

What is coarse pitch in terms of propeller setting?

• A. Lower angle of attack for less drag
• B. Higher angle of attack for cruising
• C. Fixed angle set by the manufacturer
• D. Variable angle allowing in-flight adjustments

Answer: (B)

Coarse pitch refers to the setting of a propeller that features a higher angle of attack, which is designed for more efficient cruising at higher speeds. When the propeller is set to a coarser pitch, it can take a bigger "bite" of air, translating to better performance during level flight. This ability to maintain more efficient thrust at cruising speeds can lead to improved fuel efficiency and overall performance of the aircraft during this phase of flight. The option hinting at a lower drag is more characteristic of a fine pitch setting, which is optimized for takeoff and climb rather than cruising. A fixed angle set by the manufacturer does not allow for variable adjustments in operation, preventing pilots from optimizing performance based on flight conditions. Lastly, a variable angle allowing in-flight adjustments is associated with controllable pitch propellers, but does not specifically define coarse pitch, which remains a static setting for ongoing efficient cruising actions.

Coarse pitch refers to the setting of a propeller that features a higher angle of attack, which is designed for more efficient cruising at higher speeds. When the propeller is set to a coarser pitch, it can take a bigger "bite" of air, translating to better performance during level flight. This ability to maintain more efficient thrust at cruising speeds can lead to improved fuel efficiency and overall performance of the aircraft during this phase of flight.

The option hinting at a lower drag is more characteristic of a fine pitch setting, which is optimized for takeoff and climb rather than cruising. A fixed angle set by the manufacturer does not allow for variable adjustments in operation, preventing pilots from optimizing performance based on flight conditions. Lastly, a variable angle allowing in-flight adjustments is associated with controllable pitch propellers, but does not specifically define coarse pitch, which remains a static setting for ongoing efficient cruising actions.