Propeller, an accessory ?

Certainly not !
It is an essential equipment, indispensable, exactly as the aircraft structure and as the
engine. A light aircraft cannot take-off then cruise without propeller.

The propeller is a critical equipment :
• If its efficiency is bad, this will highly affect the performance and the fuel comsumption of the aircraft.
• If it has not been well designed and calculated, if it is bad manufactured, the risks could be significant (loss of the pitch, loss of a blade, even loss of the propeller).
• If it is bad balanced, this could cause vibrations. Vibrations could be dangereous for other parts of the aircraft (reducer, engine mount, silent-blocks).
• If the propeller is fragile, or if it could damage over time, the repairs could grounded the aircraft.
• If it is noisy, this could degrade the confort for the pilot and his passenger, and also the relationship with the neighbours.
• If the propeller is heavy, this will directly affect the mass of the aircraft, and could weigh above the limits on the reducer.

So,

Those characteristics are essential to obtain the perfect propeller.
Furthermore, the propeller must be nice, because “a beautiful plane is a plane which flies well”.

More information, click here : E-PROPS website