Abstract: A fan blade includes an airfoil and a dovetail at a radially inner end of the airfoil. The dovetail extends between first and second axial ends, and has outer circumferential faces. The dovetail is formed of relatively rigid composite material. Compliant material is placed on each outer circumferential face of the dovetail. The compliant material is less rigid than the composite material for forming the dovetail. In a second embodiment, the compliant layer may be positioned within the disk slots in a disk, such that the compliant layer will come in contact with circumferentially outer faces of the dovetail.

Abstract: Preloading and retention of a variable-pitch, light-weight propeller blade (10) are achieved through a retention assembly wherein the blade shank (20) is retained within a hub arm (24) with an inboard angular contact pitch change bearing (30) and an outboard angular contact anti-rocking bearing (50) which is elastomerically preloaded. The outboard bearing (50) is disposed intermediate a bearing race (34) on the shank (20) and an annular frusto-conical rigid support member (62) which is biased outboardly against the anti-rocking bearing (50) by an annular frusto-conical body (72) of elastomeric material selected to impart a desired stiffness and/or damping effect to the retention assembly.