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Tractor vs pusher propeller
Tractor or pusher propeller? · Standard part · basis: Design rules and figures from the cited sources; example geometry by Xem Studio
Also called: 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
Exact dimensions. True size, with no printing tolerance added.
- sizes
- 3 in table
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.
Tractor vs pusher propeller size chart
| parameter | value or range | source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Where the files are
Other publishers' files are linked, not hosted. "verify" = check the license at the link before commercial use.
| FAA | Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook - Powerplant, Ch. 7 Propellers | web | Publisher's page; dimensions are facts |
| FAA | Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25), Ch. 6 Flight Controls | web | Publisher's page; dimensions are facts |
| Model Aviation (AMA), W.F. McCombs | Vertical Tail Size for Models (Apr 1992) | web | Publisher's page; dimensions are facts |
| APC Propellers | APC Propeller Nomenclature | web | Publisher'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
| tractor-vs-pusher-propeller-propeller | 10×6 in propeller, 2 blades: each section set at the geometric pitch angle atan(P / 2πr); chord and section illustrative | STEP · STL |
https://xemstudio.com/mcp to Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor or any MCP client (free, no account, one minute) and it can look up exact sizes, mating fits and free STEP/STL from every chat.Plain text: sheet.txt · JSON: /api/geometry?object=tractor-vs-pusher-propeller

Fits with
Questions
Why do pushers break props?
They sit closer to the ground on landing (FAA Powerplant Handbook).





