Quote:
Originally Posted by CloCloZ
[...] better if reducing prop pitch to about 70%-80% during the dive, thats reduces drag and rpm, so helping engine cooling too [...]
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Well, I have to contradict myself ...
I made some tests with the Tempest, to estimate
possible speed gain achieved by reducing ppitch in dives and it seems to me that
you have just a small or negligible gain, if any, by reducing at 80-90% and a sure speed loss at lower ppitch settings (75% and below, according to my findings).
So, in my opinion committing in lowering ppitch to gain a little more speed in dives (and raising it after the dive, of course!) is not worthwile: better employ your energy and attention in spatial awareness, manoeuvering and aiming!
It seems to me that there are around some myths about this issue, which would deserve some further testing (with other planes too).
I published test results on this dedicated Tempest and Hawker forum:
http://www.acompletewasteofspace.com...wtopic&t=15737
Edited ( 02-01-2008 ):
I've made some further tests, with the aid of the nice Autopilot tool, and it seems that in fact there is a (small) speed gain (for any ppitch < 100%) if ppitch reduction happens during the dive (and not just before the dive starts). See the above link for the updates.