Turboprop Basic Questions: Prop, Throttle, Beta, Feathering, etc

[TheSevenflyer]

There are a few nice articles from Captain Rude in the Community Support - Advanced Pilot Guides.
Here are links to two:

[Advanced GUIDE] Constant Speed Propeller System

Introduction The purpose behind the constant speed propeller system is to achieve a high propulsive efficiency over a wide speed range. A fixed pitch propeller is only efficient over a very small speed range. A fixed pitch propeller optimized for climb will have good performance during take-off and climb (low speed) but during cruise the blade angle is too low. A fixed pitch propeller optimized for cruise has good cruise performance (high speed), but during take-off the blade angle is too larg…

[Advanced GUIDE] Free-turbine Turboprop Engines

Introduction Lets start with saying that there are two types of turboprop engines. A fixed shaft engine works essentially the same as a piston engine with constant speed propeller. Manifold pressure is replaced by a torque gauge, there is a reduction gearbox between the engine and propeller system, otherwise its essentially the same, there also is only one RPM gauge. If you understand the constant speed propeller principle in connection with piston engines, this kind if turboprop engine should …