Complete List of Aircraft Propeller Parts

An aircraft propeller is a component that converts the power output of the engine into forward thrust to force an aircraft through the air. It could also be called a rotating wing or airfoil. It operates by developing relative motion between the air and the propeller as the engine powers the propeller. The basic parts of a propeller are the blade, shank, hub, and leading edge. The blade is an arm of the propeller from end to end. Most propellers have two or more of these. The shank is the thickened section of the blade near the hub, which is connected to the propeller shaft. Finally, the leading edge is the forward edge of the blade toward the direction the propeller is turning. It is also called a cutting edge because of the way it ‘cuts’ the air.

The 3 most common types of propellers are fixed-pitch, ground-adjustable, and controllable-pitch propellers. Fixed-pitch propellers feature blades that have constant, unchanging angles. Ground-adjustable propellers are similar to fixed-pitch in terms of function, but can change their angles when the propeller is stationary. Controllable-pitch propellers are a configuration designed to be able to change the angle of the propeller blades in mid-flight while the engine and propeller are still running. Another type, the constant speed propeller, adjusts based on the aircraft airspeed, slowing down and speeding up as needed. Each of these configurations provides different benefits and drawbacks depending on their application.

There are many respected manufacturers of aircraft propeller parts. McCauley, Cessna, and Hartzell propeller parts are among the most popular, used in both commercial and military aircraft propellers. Parts from these manufacturers and many more are featured in ASAP Buying’s extensive inventory. Owned and operated by ASAP Semiconductor, we have access to their inventory of greater than 2 billion new and obsolete parts for the aerospace and defense industries. To see how ASAP is revolutionizing the parts procurement process, submit an RFQ today.