By obtaining a Manual Propeller Pitch Control Endorsement, you can expand your flying opportunities to more sophisticated and high-performance aircraft.

Most basic training aircraft, like the Cessna 172, are equipped with fixed pitch propellers, which are set during manufacturing and can’t be adjusted while in-flight. However, more advanced aircraft, such as the Cessna 210 and many twin-engine planes, feature variable pitch propellers controlled by a constant speed unit (CSU). Pilots can modify the pitch of the propeller blades through a lever or levers in the cockpit, resulting in greater efficiency, higher airspeed, and lower fuel consumption.

To operate a CSU system, pilots require a design feature endorsement, previously referred to as a “constant speed unit” endorsement but now known as a “manual propeller pitch control” endorsement. This endorsement is included in your Commercial Pilot License (CPL) training with us, but can also be pursued separately. It covers everything you need to know about flying an aircraft with a variable pitch propeller, making it an essential step towards flying more advanced aircraft.