Lynn:
Beta, , is the second letter of the Greek alphabet. Alpha, =E1, is
the first
letter. As props are primarily designed to pull or push a plane through
the
air I'd assume that that would be the primary, #1 or Alpha job.
Anything
else is a second job or Beta.
As far as I know when the prop ceases to deliver thrust it can be
considered
to be in beta operation... reverse thrust is usually known as "Full
Beta"
all turbo prop engines require full beta operation. Even on floats a
Twin
Otter will use full beta on landing to shorten the landing run out. On
takeoff beta allows the turbine to spool up without load to deliver the
torque required to spin the prop.
Sigtaturea
Noel Loveys
Campbellton, NL, Canada
CDN AME intern, PP-Rec
C-FINB, Kitfox III-A
912 almost installed
Aerocet 1100 floats
noelloveys@yahoo.ca
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-kitfox-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-kitfox-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Lynn
Matteson
Sent: Thursday, November 27, 2008 7:21 PM
To: kitfox-list@matronics.com
Subject: Re: Kitfox mishap in Colorado
Thanks, Mike....now as a person who needs to know how words came
about, I just have to know how do I tie the word "beta" into prop
pitch reversing? The dictionary says (for one example) "the second
item in a series of classification", so I guess the first is going
forward, and the second is "beta" or reversing, eh? Sorry to be a
pain in the butt, but "I gots to know!"
I just can't stand it when they throw a word at something without a
reasonable explanation for it.
Lynn Matteson
Kitfox IV Speedster, taildragger
Jabiru 2200, 593hrs
Sensenich 62x46
flying again after rebuild, and new Electroair direct-fire ignition
system;
also building a new pair of snow skis
do not archive
On Nov 27, 2008, at 5:20 PM, Michael Gibbs wrote:
> <MichaelGibbs@cox.net>
>
> Lynn asks:
>
>> ...what does beta mean in respect to props?
>
> Beta means the prop pitch can be reversed. Very handy for float
> planes that need to maneuver to and from a dock without the pilot
> having to get out and use a paddle.
>
> Mike G.
> N728KF, Kitfox IV-1200 Speedster
> Phoenix, AZ
>
>
>
>
