Aircraft propeller pitch control

An apparatus for changing the pitch of a rotating aircraft propeller blade to selectively decrease the pitch of the blade to provide power for take-off or increase the pitch of the blade to increase speed, comprising:

• an aircraft propeller blade positioned to rotate about an axis of rotation,
• an aircraft propeller hub,
• bearings connecting said propeller blade to said propeller hub that allow said blade to change pitch,
• slide means connected to said aircraft propeller blade by rods for turning said blade on said bearings thereby changing the pitch of said blade, said slide means moveable axially along said axis of rotation,
• motor means having a threaded drive shaft connected to said slide means for moving said slide means axially,
• energy source means connected to said motor means for energizing said motor means,
• light sensor means connected to said energy source means for generating a signal to energize said motor means, and
• light source means spaced from said rotating aircraft propeller blade for selectively directing a beam of light onto said light sensor means to actuate said light sensor means thereby causing said light sensor means to generate a signal and energize said motor means to change the pitch of said blade, said light sensor means consisting of a first light sensor and a second light sensor with said first light sensor and said second light sensor spaced at different distances from said axis of rotation and said energy source means consisting of a first means for generating a beam of light and directing the beam of light onto said first light sensor and a second means for generating a beam of light and directing the beam of light onto said second light sensor.