Ground-adjustable propeller

A ground-adjustable propeller is a simple type of aircraft variable-pitch propeller where the blade angle can be adjusted between pre-set limits of fine and coarse pitch. As its name implies, a ground-adjustable propeller may be adjusted only when the aircraft is on the ground and when the engine is not running. To adjust the propeller, the blades are loosened in the hub, a new angle set and then the hub tightened.

Ground-adjustable propellers, which are mostly used on light and very light aircraft, are much cheaper and lighter than more versatile in-flight-adjustable propellers. A ground-adjustable propeller allows pitch changes to be made, although not in flight, to optimise the aircraft for current payload and flying conditions.