Quote:
Originally Posted by Charly_Owl
1) About Mixture
How does increasing or decreasing the mixture affect my in-flight performances? Is it controlling the fuel flow so that engine's performance is better and generates more thrust? I'd like to have some explanations so I can understand how to use it efficiently in-flight, and for which cases I should use high % mixture vs low % mixture.
|
Hi,
In short, too rich mixture does not generate more power however send fuel that will not be burnt and hence wasted. On the other side, it will allow engine to run a little bit cooler.
In Cliffs of Dover, you will notice lower fuel consumption when leaning the mixture above 10/15 kft (> 3000 meters). Leaning the mixture in thin air allows the correct fuel/air mixture to be maintained however stay rich at full power because you may damage the engine particularly in a dive. It depends if CoD takes care of this possible engine failure case.
Quote:
3) About propeller pitch
I know they affect the thrust generated. But why would you want to increase or decrease prop pitch during a dogfight as I've seen in many youtube videos? I'm curious about the reasons behind it.
|
An engine can run with higher torque at lower rpm which would result in the same as higher rpm with less throttle (or less torque) => in both cases same power. However if you can run lower in rpm you should have a better efficiency and so less fuel burnt, less noise also, one more point that CoD does'nt take care of, the engine lasts longer (better for maintenance).
In short for CoD : if you have a constant speed propeller (like Spitfire II for example), you better run at higher rpm during dogfight and take off, lower during cruise.
If you have a constant pitch propeller (like some BF 109) then also take care not to run the engine too high in rpm for example in a dive you should coarse the pitch or reduce throttle, because it will not take care of it, the pilot has to. If not the engine at overspeed may be failed !