Abstract: A balance system for a rotational airfoil assembly includes a bulkhead, an elongated member, a support member and at least one balance weight. The elongated member extends through the bulkhead along a bore toward an airfoil tip segment of the airfoil assembly. The balance weights are mounted to a tip segment of the elongated member positioned within the bore outboard of an airfoil mid-span segment of the airfoil assembly. A reduced quantity of weight is required to balance the airfoil assembly because of the location of the balance weights outside of the mid-span segment of the airfoil assembly.

Abstract: A propeller blade mounted with a preload adjacent a propeller blade root retention that increases the moment capacity of the retention for a given pitch diameter, yet permits pitching of the propeller blade about a blade axis in response to a propeller pitch change actuation system. During assembly, the preload condition is established by preload springs which apply a load on the end of a tapered roller bearing set as a floating race is rotated which allows the tapered roller bearing set to progressively push the propeller blade root outboard and the floating race inboard to generate the preloaded condition.

Abstract: An auxiliary tank is filled by a pitch control system, which enables the size of the auxiliary tank to be reduced.