Pilot Operating Handbook
Cavalon Pro
SECTION 9-1
Variable Pitch Propeller
RotorSport_POH_Cavalon Pro
Revision 1.0 – Issue Date 12 04 2015
9-12
Coping with propeller malfunction.
A propeller may malfunction giving the following scenarios:
1. Propeller runs to MAX-pitch (i.e. fully coarse) and stops. (RPM will decrease and MAP
will rise. Reduce power if needed, to stay within MAP limits)
Probable cause; controller fault or jammed/internally-failed selector switch. Continue flight
with careful monitoring or if in any doubt make a precautionary landing.
WARNING!
The climb rate will be reduced to 250fpm minimum!
At fully coarse, the engine will be sustaining increased load at low rpm. Take care
as if power is set to idle, it could result in an engine stall.
2. Propeller runs to MIN-pitch (i.e. fully fine) and stops. (RPM will increase and propeller
pitch will stop in the ful-fine position. Reduce power if needed, to stay within RPM limits).
Probable cause; controller fault or jammed/internally failed selector-switch. Continue flight
with careful monitoring or if in any doubt make a precautionary landing. Note that fully fine
could result in engine speed over-run if taken to max power in level or descending flight! Set
engine 5000rpm maximum at 70KIAS.
3. Propeller will not make pitch change (determined by no audible effect from engine when
at constant power setting).
Probable cause: failed propeller mechanism, controller or cable fault. Follow the appropriate
actions in 1. or 2. above and consider the further scenarios in the table below:
Before take-off
Do not take-off
During take-off and climb
Try to keep climbing to a safe altitude,
return to the airfield and land. If the
aircraft does not climb, maintain altitude
and plan to return in a flat curve.
During cruise flight
Depending on the prop position, it
should be possible to find a speed and
RPM to continue the flight to the next
possible landing area. Depending on the
prop position your descent will look
different and a go around will be at a
much reduced climb rate.
During descent
Depending on the prop position (in case
of coarse pitch), your descent will look
different and a go around will be at a
much reduced climb rate.
During Landing
Continue approach as planned. If the
prop changes to coarse pitch and the
landing looks too long, keep in mind to
cut the engine.
