McCAULEY Constant Speed Propellers

 One of the most popular systems used on light and medium size
general aviation aircraft.
 Currently, two types of constant speed propellers that are
installed on aircraft; threaded series and threadless series
 Threaded series used retention nut
 Threadless used split retainer ring
 Both series McCauley are none feathering and non
counterweighted. Therefore oil pressure is used to increase
propeller’s blade angle, centrifugal force and internal spring to
rotate low pitch
 Propeller blades, hub and piston made of aluminum alloy
 Cylinder, blade actuating pins, piston rod, and springs made
from chrome or cadmium plated steel
 Phenolic material are used to made actuating links
cont
 O-rings are installed between piston and cylinder
to prevent leak
 Some models use dyed oil permanently sealed in
the hub. If red appear on hub, indicates hub may
have crack. Propeller should be removed for repair
 Model designation codes of McCauley constant
speed propellers are longer
McCauley designation code
 D2AF 36 CT 18 X/L 90 M-8
D- Indicates dowel location with
respect to centerline through No.1
blade socket, viewing hub from
flange mounting face
2- Indicates number of blades
A- Indicates flange size
A – Special Flange, 4” B.C
D – Modified SAE #2 6.5-inch bolts
F – Special 41/4 B.C
F- Indicates type of propeller – F, full
feathering
36 - Indicates McCauley blade shank size designation
(other models 31,34, etc)
C- Indicates type of propeller-C constant speed or
controllable

 The code may found at the hub of propeller

McCauley Governors
 Use the same principles as the generic governors
 Difference between McCauley and Hamilton
Standard system is McCauley governor produces oil
pressure of approximately 290 psi while Hamilton
produces 180 – 200 psi
 Most McCauley governors use a control arm instead
of pulley to adjust speeder spring pressure acting on
flyweights and pilot valve
Safety Feature of McCauley
 Governor control lever spring loaded to high RPM
setting. This way if control cable breaks, propeller
blades will automatically go to low pitch allowing
engine to develop maximum power output
 All McCauley governors incorporate a high RPM stop
to prevent engine and propeller from over speeding.
In some cases McCauley also have an adjustable low
RPM stop
 Both high and low RPM stops can be adjusted by a
set screw on governor head. One turn screw changes
RPM by 17, 20 or 25 RPM
Hamilton Standard Constant Speed Propellers

 Oil pressure provides to reduce blade angle, centrifugal forces

act on counterweight to increase blade angle (reverse concept)
 Governor in Hamilton Standard constant speed propeller is
divided into three parts; the head, the body and base.
 Head contains flyweight & flyweight assembly, while body and
base house the pilot valve and boost pump
 Hamilton Designation code is stamped on governor body
E.g. 1A3-B2H
1 – head design
A – body design
3 – Base
B2H indicates modifications
Hartzell Constant Speed Propeller

 Widely used in modern general airplanes and share

market with McCauley.
 Currently produces two type of constant speed
propellers, Steel hub and Compact model
 Steel hub propeller similar to Hamilton Standard, in
that the pitch change mechanism is exposed.
 On the Compact propeller change mechanism is
housed inside propeller head
 Stamped code on both at propeller hub
Hartzell Designation Code
 B HC-82XF-1D
B – Mounting dowel pin location
H – Hartzell controllable pitch
8 – Basic design designation
2 – Number of blades
X – Blade shank size
x double shoulder V needle bearing
z single shoulder W needle bearing
 Figure 12-34 (Reference)
Hartzell Steel Hub Propellers
 May or may be not counterweight
 If counterweight is used, oil pressure is used to decrease blade
angle
 Steel hub without counterweight use oil pressure to increase
blade angle
 Central component is a steel spider, consists of central hub and
two arms
 Two arms provide attachment point for each propeller blade
and house a bearing assembly allow rotation to blade
 Secured by two piece steel clamps
 Steel cylinder is threaded front of spider and aluminum piston
placed over cylinder
 Piston connect to blade clamps on each blade by sliding rod
and fork system
Hartzell Compact Propeller
 More modern than steel hub
 Compact Propeller has small hub, lighter, more dependable
 Propeller hub is forged out if aluminum alloy as two separate
halves
 Hartzell constant speed propeller system typically utilize either
a Woodward governor or a modified Hamilton standard.
 Woodward usually adjusted to produce approximately 275
psi oil pressure
 Please refer the maintenance manual for appropriate
governor system before inspection progress