{
 "version": "2026-10-20",
 "license": "Dimension sheets: CC BY 4.0. Standard and published-size files: CC BY 4.0. Xem Studio's own designs (files_license = Xem Studio Design License): free to use and sell things from, not to redistribute as files — https://xemstudio.com/license/. Other publishers' files: their own license, linked beside them.",
 "slug": "tractor-vs-pusher-propeller",
 "name": "Tractor vs pusher propeller",
 "kind": "standard",
 "category": "Aircraft design",
 "group": "Propellers",
 "year": null,
 "question": "Tractor or pusher propeller?",
 "tags": [
  "vehicle design",
  "propellers",
  "rc design",
  "aerodynamics"
 ],
 "aliases": [
  "tractor vs pusher",
  "pusher propeller",
  "pusher prop rc",
  "tractor propeller",
  "pusher vs tractor efficiency",
  "pusher prop clearance",
  "pusher prop direction",
  "rear mounted propeller",
  "pusher plane design"
 ],
 "overall_mm": {
  "length": null,
  "width": null,
  "height": null
 },
 "official_cad": false,
 "xem_status": "free-files",
 "les": false,
 "free_files": 1,
 "url": "https://xemstudio.com/objects/tractor-vs-pusher-propeller/",
 "sheet_txt": "https://xemstudio.com/objects/tractor-vs-pusher-propeller/sheet.txt",
 "sheet": {
  "basis": "Design rules and figures from the cited sources; example geometry by Xem Studio",
  "overall_mm": {
   "length": null,
   "width": null,
   "height": null
  },
  "notes": [
   "A tractor prop pulls from the front; a pusher pushes from the back. The FAA notes pusher propellers are subject to more damage than tractors because of ground clearance (FAA Powerplant Handbook).",
   "Propwash over a tractor's tail increases rudder effectiveness (FAA PHAK ch.6), which pushers lose; McCombs notes tractor vs pusher mounting shifts the required fin size (Model Aviation). APC pusher props carry a 'P' suffix (APC).",
   "The file is a reference example built by Xem Studio from the numbers above. Sizes the sources do not fix are illustrative; scale the example to your own vehicle."
  ],
  "table": {
   "columns": [
    "parameter",
    "value or range",
    "source"
   ],
   "rows": [
    [
     "Damage exposure",
     "pushers more than tractors (ground clearance)",
     "FAA Powerplant Handbook"
    ],
    [
     "Rudder effectiveness",
     "increased by propwash on tractors",
     "FAA PHAK ch.6"
    ],
    [
     "APC pusher suffix",
     "P",
     "APC Nomenclature"
    ]
   ]
  }
 },
 "sheet_text": "Tractor vs pusher propeller — dimension sheet\nSource: Xem Studio, https://xemstudio.com/objects/tractor-vs-pusher-propeller/  (sheet CC BY 4.0; files Xem Studio Design License, https://xemstudio.com/license/)\nBasis: Design rules and figures from the cited sources; example geometry by Xem Studio\nCatalog version: 2026-10-20\n\nSizes: see table below\n- A tractor prop pulls from the front; a pusher pushes from the back. The FAA notes pusher propellers are subject to more damage than tractors because of ground clearance (FAA Powerplant Handbook).\n- Propwash over a tractor's tail increases rudder effectiveness (FAA PHAK ch.6), which pushers lose; McCombs notes tractor vs pusher mounting shifts the required fin size (Model Aviation). APC pusher props carry a 'P' suffix (APC).\n- The file is a reference example built by Xem Studio from the numbers above. Sizes the sources do not fix are illustrative; scale the example to your own vehicle.\n\nparameter  value or range  source\nDamage exposure  pushers more than tractors (ground clearance)  FAA Powerplant Handbook\nRudder effectiveness  increased by propwash on tractors  FAA PHAK ch.6\nAPC pusher suffix  P  APC Nomenclature\n\nFiles elsewhere (not hosted by Xem Studio; license as stated by the publisher):\n- FAA: Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, Ch. 7 Propellers — web — Publisher's page; dimensions are facts — https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/09_amtp_ch7.pdf\n- FAA: Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25), Ch. 6 Flight Controls — web — Publisher's page; dimensions are facts — https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/08_phak_ch6.pdf\n- Model Aviation (AMA), W.F. McCombs: Vertical Tail Size for Models (Apr 1992) — web — Publisher's page; dimensions are facts — https://library.modelaviation.com/article/vertical-tail-size-models-1\n- APC Propellers: APC Propeller Nomenclature — web — Publisher's page; dimensions are facts — https://www.apcprop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/APC-Propeller-Nomenclature.pdf\n\nFree files (Xem Studio Design License, Xem Studio; STEP + STL, 1 parts): https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/tractor-vs-pusher-propeller/index.json\nAPI: https://xemstudio.com/api/geometry?object=tractor-vs-pusher-propeller\n",
 "sources": [
  {
   "publisher": "FAA",
   "title": "Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, Ch. 7 Propellers",
   "url": "https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/09_amtp_ch7.pdf",
   "formats": [
    "web"
   ],
   "license": "Publisher's page; dimensions are facts",
   "license_verified": true,
   "hosted": false
  },
  {
   "publisher": "FAA",
   "title": "Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25), Ch. 6 Flight Controls",
   "url": "https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/08_phak_ch6.pdf",
   "formats": [
    "web"
   ],
   "license": "Publisher's page; dimensions are facts",
   "license_verified": true,
   "hosted": false
  },
  {
   "publisher": "Model Aviation (AMA), W.F. McCombs",
   "title": "Vertical Tail Size for Models (Apr 1992)",
   "url": "https://library.modelaviation.com/article/vertical-tail-size-models-1",
   "formats": [
    "web"
   ],
   "license": "Publisher's page; dimensions are facts",
   "license_verified": true,
   "hosted": false
  },
  {
   "publisher": "APC Propellers",
   "title": "APC Propeller Nomenclature",
   "url": "https://www.apcprop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/APC-Propeller-Nomenclature.pdf",
   "formats": [
    "web"
   ],
   "license": "Publisher's page; dimensions are facts",
   "license_verified": true,
   "hosted": false
  }
 ],
 "xem": {
  "status": "free-files",
  "sheet_free": true,
  "mesh_price_usd": null,
  "step_price_usd": null,
  "tolerance_mm": null
 },
 "related": [
  "propeller-diameter-vs-pitch",
  "pitch-diameter-ratio",
  "propeller-blade-count",
  "propeller-helix-angle-blade-twist",
  "propeller-slip-efficiency",
  "apc-propeller-rpm-limits"
 ],
 "fits": [],
 "dimensions": "exact (nominal, no printing tolerance)",
 "dimension_rule": "All geometry on Xem Studio is exact (nominal, true size) with no printing tolerance. Where a part meets another part, the object lists its mating features (feature, exact size, what it mates with, fit class: press, slide, run, socket, clamp or designed). Apply your process's allowance to those features only; 'designed' gaps are part of the design and stay as drawn.",
 "mating": [],
 "faq": [
  {
   "q": "Why do pushers break props?",
   "a": "They sit closer to the ground on landing (FAA Powerplant Handbook)."
  }
 ],
 "files_license": {
  "name": "Xem Studio Design License",
  "holder": "Xem Studio",
  "url": "https://xemstudio.com/license/",
  "note": "Xem Studio's own design: free to use, print, modify and sell things made from it; not to be republished or redistributed as files."
 },
 "offers": [
  {
   "file": "tractor-vs-pusher-propeller-propeller",
   "formats": [
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   "price_usd": 0,
   "license": "Xem Studio Design License",
   "step": "https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/tractor-vs-pusher-propeller/tractor-vs-pusher-propeller-propeller.step",
   "stl": "https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/tractor-vs-pusher-propeller/tractor-vs-pusher-propeller-propeller.stl",
   "note": "10×6 in propeller, 2 blades: each section set at the geometric pitch angle atan(P / 2πr); chord and section illustrative"
  }
 ],
 "markdown": "https://xemstudio.com/objects/tractor-vs-pusher-propeller/index.md"
}