Prony brake.  An instrument used to measure the amount of horsepower an engine is delivering to its output shaft. The engine is operated at a specific rpm, and a brake is applied to its output shaft. The amount of torque applied to the brake is measured, and this, with the rpm, is converted into brake horsepower. 

Propeller. A device for propelling an aircraft that has blades on an engine-driven shaft and that, when rotated, produces by its action on the air, a thrust approximately perpendicular to its plane of rotation. It includes control components normally supplied by its manufacturer, but does not include main and auxiliary rotors or rotating airfoils of engines. 

Propeller end.  The end of a reciprocating engine to which the propeller is attached. 

PropFan engine.  The registered trade name by Hamilton Standard of an ultra-high-bypass turbine engine. See UHB engine. 

Propulsive efficiency.  A measure of the effectiveness with which an aircraft engine converts the fuel it burns into useful thrust. It is the ratio of the thrust horsepower produced by a propeller to the torque horsepower of the shaft turning the propeller. The nearer the speed of the aircraft is to the speed of the exhaust jet or propeller wake, the less kinetic energy is lost in the jet or wake, and the higher the propulsive efficiency. 

PRT.  Power recovery turbine. A turbine driven by exhaust gases from several cylinders of a reciprocating engine. Energy extracted from exhaust gases by the turbine is coupled, through a fluid clutch, to the engine crankshaft. 

Pulsating DC.  Direct current whose voltage periodically changes, but whose electrons flow in the same direction all of the time. 

Pulse-jet engine. A type of air-breathing reaction engine used during World War II to power jet-propelled missiles. Fuel is sprayed into the combustion chamber and ignited. As the heated air expands, it closes the one-way shutter valve in the front of the engine and exits the engine through the nozzle at the rear. As soon as the pressure inside the combustion chamber decreases, air enters through the shutter valve and more fuel is ignited. The thrust is produced in a series of pulses. 

Push fit.  A fit between pieces in a mechanical assembly that is close enough to require the parts to be pushed together. A push fit is looser than a press fit, but closer than a free fit. 

Pusher engine.  An engine installed with the propeller facing the rear of the aircraft. Thrust produced by the 

propeller mounted on a pusher engine pushes rather than pulls the aircraft. 

Pusher propeller.  A propeller installed on an aircraft engine so that it faces the rear of the aircraft. Thrust from the propeller pushes rather than pulls the aircraft. 

PV diagram.  A diagram showing the relationship between the volume of a cylinder and the pressure during a cycle of engine operation. 

Quill shaft.  A type of shaft used to couple parts of an engine that are subject to torsional loads. A quill shaft is a long, hardened steel shaft with splines on each end. One end splines into the drive shaft and the other end splines into the device being driven. Torsional vibrations are absorbed by the quill shaft twisting. 

Radial bearing load.  The load on a bearing perpendicular to the shaft on which the bearing is mounted. Centrifugal loads are radial loads. 

Radial engine (static radial).  A form of reciprocating engine in which the cylinders radiate out from a small central crankcase. The pistons in the cylinders drive a central crankshaft which in turn drives the propeller. 

Radial-inflow turbine. A turbine, similar in appearance to a centrifugal compressor rotor. Radial-inflow turbines are used to drive the compressor in reciprocating engine turbochargers and some of the smaller APU turbine engines. Hot gases flow into the turbine from its outside rim, then radially inward through the vanes and out of the turbine at its center. 

Radiation.  See electromagnetic radiation. 

Ram air.  Air whose pressure has been increased by the forward motion of the aircraft. Ram air pressure is the same as pitot pressure. 

Ram drag.  The loss of thrust produced by a turbojet or turbofan engine caused by the increase of velocity of air entering the engine. Ram drag is the difference between gross thrust and net thrust. 

Ram pressure.  Pressure produced when a moving fluid is stopped. 

Ram-recovery speed.  The speed of an aircraft at which the ram effect caused by the forward movement increases the air pressure at the compressor inlet so that it is the same as that of the ambient air. 

