What occurs to the blade angle of a constant speed propeller during a constant power dive?

In a constant power dive, the key aspect to understand is how a constant speed propeller operates in conjunction with engine power settings and airspeed changes. During a dive, the aircraft experiences an increase in airspeed, which could potentially lead to an overspeed condition if the propeller blade angle does not adjust.

A constant speed propeller is designed to maintain an optimal RPM by automatically adjusting the blade angle as the aircraft’s conditions change. When diving, the increased airflow over the propeller results in higher RPMs. To prevent overspeed, the propeller system responds by increasing the blade angle, which creates additional drag and helps decrease the RPM to a stable level. This dynamic adjustment ensures that the engine operates efficiently without exceeding its limits.

Therefore, the action of increasing the blade angle during a constant power dive is a critical safety feature of constant speed propellers, ensuring the engine and propeller operate within safe parameters despite changes in flight conditions.