Yup, it sounds like the use of "beta" is to designate the second
function of the prop. That's the conclusion that I came up with,
finally.
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
On Nov 28, 2008, at 10:06 AM, Noel Loveys wrote:
> Lynn:
>
>
> Beta, , is the second letter of the Greek alphabet. Alpha, , is
> the first letter. As props are primarily designed to pull or push
> a plane through the air Id 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.
>
> Noel Loveys
>
>