For Legacy flyers, what rate of descent do you see in engine out scenarios, at best glide speed (120 KIAS), in a clean configuration, with your prop pulled all the way back for minimum drag? 

Particularly curious for those with feathering props, what descent rate do you have in this configuration with your prop feathered?

Thanks,

Valin Thorn

From: Lancair Mailing List [mailto:lml@lancaironline.net] On Behalf Of Valin & Allyson Thorn
Sent: Monday, March 24, 2014 8:06 PM
To: lml@lancaironline.net
Subject: [LML] Hartzell Prop Governor Low RPM Capability

I was surprised to learn recently that the Hartzell propeller governor (S Series) cannot adjust the blade pitch with an engine speed below about 1800 rpm.  Seems like that could be a problem in an engine out glide scenario, where the prop stays at flat pitch, high drag.

I talked to a guy at Hartzell Technical Support and he confirmed that’s how their S series governors work.  He said it’s not a problem and that they are on all the Cirrus airplanes.  But, with the Cirrus’ single lever control linkage, I don’t think Cirrus pilots can adjust the blade pitch in an engine out scenario anyway.

For the Legacy flyers out there flying with the Hartzell governor, when you’re at best glide speed of 120 KIAS, are you able to get enough engine rpm to get maximum blade pitch (low drag) or not…?

Thanks,

Valin Thorn

Legacy Project

Boulder, Colorado USA