How does the pitch of a propeller affect engine performance?

The pitch of a propeller significantly influences engine performance, particularly in terms of acceleration and climb rate. When the pitch is set lower, the propeller blades have a steeper angle relative to the oncoming air. This increased angle allows the propeller to bite more effectively into the air, generating more thrust. As a result, an aircraft equipped with a propeller set to a lower pitch is able to accelerate more quickly and achieve a better climb performance.

This is especially crucial during takeoff and initial climb, where optimal thrust is necessary to lift the aircraft off the ground efficiently. Hence, a lower pitch is beneficial for performance during these critical phases of flight, allowing the aircraft to gain altitude more rapidly compared to scenarios where a higher pitch is used, which can be more suitable for cruise performance at higher speeds but may not be as effective for acceleration and climbing capabilities.