Transport Canada Commercial Pilot License (CPL) Practice Exam

The correct answer is that the blades of a constant speed propeller automatically adjust to a finer pitch to maintain RPM when entering a climb.

In a climb, the aircraft requires more power to overcome the increased drag and to begin ascending. To keep the engine operating at its optimal RPM, the constant speed propeller system senses the change in power demands and automatically alters the blade pitch. By moving to a finer pitch, the blades allow the engine to maintain its RPM, which is critical for efficient engine performance and overall aircraft performance during the climb. A finer pitch reduces the amount of drag on the propeller, enabling the aircraft to produce more thrust while optimizing engine power for climb conditions.

The other choices do not accurately reflect how constant speed propellers function. Keeping the blades at a fixed pitch would not allow for optimal engine performance during the climb, while switching to a coarser pitch would lead to a decrease in RPM and potential engine strain. Lastly, retracting the blades completely is not a function of constant speed propellers but rather specific to retractable systems in certain aircraft designs, which is not applicable in this scenario.