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3 Answers

Chandelle

Asked by: 12385 views Aircraft Systems

When performing a chandelle, the FAA flying handbook says to apply full power if flying a airplane with a fixed pitch propeller but  to leave power as is (no change /not full power) for a constant speed prop. .

Why the difference in procedures?

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3 Answers



  1. Felix on Mar 25, 2014

    The FAA flying handbook states “In airplanes with constant-speed propellers, power may be left at the normal cruise setting.” It doesn’t say to leave it. It just simply states that you can do it this way. Why? My guess would be:

    1. Airplane engines with Constant speed props are usually more powerful than fixed prop. Therefore going full power on a constant speed prop you might need a lot of pitch up to get the airplane close to stall with full power. (This is also why when you do a power on stall you don’t have to use full power).
    2. Going full power when flying slow (even with cowl flaps open) can cause too much engine heat and stress.

    The way i do a chandelle in my 172RG (Constant speed) is that i’ll go full power on the Chandelle. It’s a maximum performance climbing turn after all. If i were flying something more powerful, I’d probably use cruise climb setting (something like 25 inches manifold, and 2500 rpm – but you should check your POH for your particular aircraft).

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  2. Dan Chitty on Mar 25, 2014

    Thank you Felix for the feedback.

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  3. Michael Lepkowski on Mar 26, 2014

    Actually it says “As the climb is initiated in airplanes with fixed-pitch propellers, full throttle may be applied, but is applied gradually so that the maximum allowable r.p.m is not exceeded.”

    Smashing in full throttle on fixed-pitch propeller airplanes in level (or descending) flight leads to red-lining the engine causing damage. Constant-speed propeller airplanes do not have this issue because the engine speed is controlled by a prop-governor.

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