Definition
A cockpit lever in a turboprop or piston complex airplane that the pilot uses to set the desired propeller speed (RPM). In a turboprop with a free turbine, it commands the propeller governor to adjust blade pitch so the propeller maintains the selected RPM, independent of power lever position.
Plain English
The lever the pilot moves to choose how fast the propeller spins. Pushing it forward selects a higher propeller speed; pulling it back selects a lower one.
Context Anchor
Seen in turboprop cockpit engine controls, usually near the power lever and condition lever.
Derivation
Propeller comes from the idea of driving or pushing something forward. Control means to direct how something behaves, and lever means a handle moved by hand. Together, the term points to the hand-operated control that directs propeller speed rather than engine fuel directly.
Why Pilots Care
Proper use ensures the engine and propeller operate efficiently and prevents overspeed or underspeed conditions.
Intuition Check
Do not think of the propeller control lever as the throttle. The power lever controls engine power; the propeller control lever sets the propeller speed the governor tries to hold.
Example Sentence 1
Before takeoff, the pilot moved the propeller control lever fully forward to select maximum propeller RPM.
Example Sentence 2
In cruise flight, the pilot retards the propeller control lever to reduce RPM for better fuel efficiency and lower noise.