Potential Performance Gains for Light Aircraft by the Application of a Stator Behind the Propeller

A preliminary analysis has been performed which predicts the propulsion performance gains to be realized by installing a stator in the wake of a typical light airplane propeller. The stator is predicted to increase the static thrust by approximately 6%. This gain decreases to 3.6% during the climb and to approximately 1% for cruising flight. This performance in cruising flight is sensitive to the profile drag of the stator blades and may be improved by careful attention to the stator blade airfoil section.