An electronic control system (30) for a turbopropeller engine (12) having a gas turbine (20) and a propeller assembly (13) coupled to the gas turbine (20), controls propeller operation based on a pilot input request, via generation of a driving quantity (Ip) for an actuation assembly (29) designed to adjust a pitch angle () of propeller blades (2) of the propeller assembly (13). The control system (30) envisages: a propeller speed regulator (39), receiving at its input a propeller speed error (ep), indicative of a difference between a propeller speed measure (Nr) and a propeller speed demand (Nrref), and generating at its output, based on the propeller speed error (ep), a first control quantity (Outi); a propeller pitch regulator (42), receiving at its input a propeller pitch error (ep), indicative of a difference between a propeller pitch demand ( ) and a pitch position measure (), and generating at its output, based on the propeller pitch error (ep), a first control quantity (Out2); and a priority selection stage (45), configured to implement a priority selection between the first and the second control quantities, for providing at the output the driving quantity (IP), based on the priority selection between the first and the second control quantities.

An electronic control system (35) for a turbopropeller engine (2) having a gas turbine (20) and a propeller assembly (3) coupled to the gas turbine (20), the control system (35) implementing a propeller control unit (PEC) to control propeller operation based on a pilot input request, via generation of a driving quantity (I.sub.p) for an actuation assembly (29) designed to adjust a pitch angle () of propeller blades (10). The control unit engages a mechanical lock determining a minimum flight value for the pitch angle during a flight operating mode, and disengages the mechanical lock and controls the pitch angle below the minimum flight value, up to a minimum ground value lower than the minimum flight value, during a ground operating mode; the propeller control unit, during a transition from the ground operating mode to the flight operating mode, engages the mechanical lock, thereby causing an increase of the pitch angle towards the minimum flight value independently from the control action. In particular, the control unit anticipates the increase of the pitch angle in a time period (T) before the mechanical lock engagement due to transition from the ground operating mode to the flight operating mode.

A propeller pitch control system for a turboprop engine of an aircraft includes an engine control unit and a pitch control unit. The engine control unit is operable to determine a phase of flight of the aircraft and is configured to supply control commands. The pitch control unit is coupled to receive the control commands from the engine control unit and includes a housing, a beta piston, a position sensor, a beta tube, and an electrohydraulic valve. The engine control unit only commands the electrohydraulic valve to move the beta piston from the fully retracted position when the engine control unit determines the aircraft is conducting pre-takeoff roll taxiing operations or is conducting post landing touchdown operations.

Methods and systems for operating an aircraft powerplant are described herein. One or more powerplant or aircraft parameters indicative of one or more conditions at landing or during an approach to landing are obtained. A reverse thrust rating is determined based on the one or more powerplant or aircraft parameters. Reverse thrust of the powerplant is controlled based on the reverse thrust rating when reverse thrust is requested.

Aircraft are configured to facilitate propeller blade pitch adjustability. According to one example, an aircraft can include a plurality of propellers, where each propeller includes plurality of blades. At least one pitch adjust mechanism may be associated with at least on propeller, where the pitch adjust mechanism is configured to adjust a pitch of the plurality of blades for at least one propeller in response to airflow from at least one other propeller influencing an airflow at the at least one propeller. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also included.

Systems and methods for limiting power of a gas turbine engine for an aircraft are described herein. A blade angle of a propeller blade of the engine and a commanded power for the engine are obtained. A thrust transition direction is determined. The commanded power is compared to a selected threshold based on the blade angle and the thrust transition direction. Power to the engine is limited when the commanded power exceeds the selected threshold.

Herein provided are methods and systems for controlling operation a first propeller of an aircraft, the first propeller associated with a first engine, the aircraft further comprising a second propeller associated with a second engine. A first requested engine power for the first engine is obtained. A second requested engine power for the second engine is obtained. The first propeller is synchronized with the second propeller by setting a first propeller command for the first propeller based on the first and second requested engine power, and the first propeller command is sent for the first propeller.

Methods and systems for operating an aircraft powerplant comprising an engine coupled to a variable-pitch propeller capable of generating forward and reverse thrust are described herein. A request to enable a mode for automated reverse thrust is received. Reverse thrust conditions are determined to have been met when the aircraft is on-ground, a blade angle of the propeller is below a blade angle threshold and a position of a power lever is at a selected idle region of the power lever. Reverse thrust of the propeller is triggered when the mode for automated reverse thrust is enabled and the reverse thrust conditions have been met.

A control system for an engine operatively coupled with a propeller and methods for controlling an engine operatively coupled with a propeller are provided. In one example aspect, the control system includes a controller and an electric propeller governor. The electric propeller governor includes a motor operatively coupled with a flyweight governor spring. The motor is communicatively coupled with the controller. The controller is operable to receive data indicative of the speed of the propeller, determine if the measured speed exceeds a propeller speed threshold, and if the threshold is exceeded, the controller is configured to change a propeller speed set point. Particularly, the controller can cause the motor to change the preload on the flyweight governor spring, which in turn causes adjustment of the propeller speed set point. In this way, propeller speed overshoot is prevented during fast acceleration of the engine.

A method and a system are provided for controlling a propeller-driven aircraft, the aircraft powered by at least one engine having at least one propeller associated therewith. At least one control input for the at least one engine is received at an engine controller for the at least one engine. The engine controller determines, based on the at least one control input, a setpoint for a rotational speed of the at least one propeller and outputs, to a propeller controller for the at least one propeller, a control signal comprising instructions to adjust the rotational speed of the at least one propeller to the setpoint.