[Blackdog_kt]

Originally Posted by cheesehawk

Just to add to Blackdog's explanation, although you get the most engine hp at the higher rpm, you actually want the engine to have some room to "pull up" to its hp peak. Again, to use a car analogy, if you are already redlining it in 3rd gear, you can get more speed by dropping the rpm back into a lower part of the powerband by shifting to 4th.

In 109 terms, as you approach the 2500 mark of the rpm, you need to give it a coarser pitch so the engine can again work its way back up to its max rpm. I try to keep the rpm around 2300-2400 where I have room to increase or decrease my speed/rpm's and yet stay withing the 2100-2500 rpm powerband. If I'm cruising, I stay on the low end, if I know I need to increase speed/energy (in a climb or exiting a turn for instance), I'll let it hover on the high end, and back the pitch up when it hits 25-2600.

Yup, that's also a good practice to follow.