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Propeller slip and efficiency

What is propeller slip? · Standard part · basis: Design rules and figures from the cited sources; example geometry by Xem Studio

Also called: propeller slip, prop slip calculator, propeller efficiency, effective pitch, geometric pitch vs effective pitch, pitch speed slip, prop efficiency percent, apc performance data

Exact dimensions. True size, with no printing tolerance added.

sizes
3 in table

Notes

  • Geometric pitch is how far a prop should advance per revolution with no slip; effective pitch is how far it actually advances. Slip is the difference (FAA Powerplant Handbook).
  • Efficiency, thrust horsepower over brake horsepower, ranges from 50% to 87% depending on slip (FAA). APC publishes performance data from vortex-theory simulations by rpm and airspeed for comparing props (Model Aviation, APC Q&A).
  • 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.

Propeller slip and efficiency size chart

parametervalue or rangesource
Slipgeometric pitch - effective pitchFAA Powerplant Handbook
Efficiency range50-87%FAA Powerplant Handbook
APC data basisvortex theory, by rpm and airspeedModel Aviation (APC)

Where the files are

Other publishers' files are linked, not hosted. "verify" = check the license at the link before commercial use.

FAAAviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, Ch. 7 PropellerswebPublisher's page; dimensions are facts
Model Aviation (AMA), J. Smith with APC PropellersCommon Questions with APC Propellers (Mar 2021)webPublisher's page; dimensions are facts

Free files

★ Free files 1 parts. Xem Studio design: free to use, print and sell things from; not to be republished as files. Xem Studio Design License. index.json

propeller-slip-efficiency-propeller10×6 in propeller, 2 blades: each section set at the geometric pitch angle atan(P / 2πr); chord and section illustrativeSTEP · STL
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Plain text: sheet.txt · JSON: /api/geometry?object=propeller-slip-efficiency

Propeller slip and efficiency, isometric render of a generated part
Render of propeller-slip-efficiency-propeller from the free STEP; not to scale.

Fits with

Propeller diameter vs pitch, isometric render of a generated part
Propeller diameter vs pitch4 sizes★ 1 file
Pitch-to-diameter ratio, isometric render of a generated part
Pitch-to-diameter ratio4 sizes★ 1 file
Propeller blade count (2, 3 and 4 blades), isometric render of a generated part
Propeller blade count (2, 3 and 4 blades)4 sizes★ 1 file
Propeller helix angle and blade twist, isometric render of a generated part
Propeller helix angle and blade twist5 sizes★ 1 file
APC propeller RPM limits, isometric render of a generated part
APC propeller RPM limits8 sizes★ 1 file
Propeller naming suffixes (E, SF, MR, P, W, N, C), isometric render of a generated part
Propeller naming suffixes (E, SF, MR, P, W, N, C)5 sizes★ 1 file

Questions

How efficient is a propeller?

Between 50% and 87% depending on slip (FAA Powerplant Handbook).