A fixed-pitch propeller in aircraft design is a type of propeller where the blade angle cannot be adjusted by the pilot or automatically during flight. The pitch, or the angle of attack of the propeller blades, remains constant. This type of propeller is typically found on smaller, general aviation aircraft.
The formula to calculate the thrust generated by a fixed-pitch propeller is given by:
- T is the thrust generated by the propeller (in newtons, N).
- π is the mathematical constant pi (approximately 3.14159).
- n is the rotational speed of the propeller (in revolutions per minute, RPM)
- r is the radius of the propeller (in meters, m)..
- p is the difference in air pressure between the front and back of the propeller (in pascals, Pa).
- η is the efficiency of the propeller (a dimensionless value between 0 and 1).