Systems and methods for retracting lift propeller in eVTOL aircraft

A VTOL aircraft includes a lift propeller configured to provide lift during takeoff, landing and hover operations. The lift propeller is configured to be stowed close to a boom surface when not in use during, e.g., cruise flight, to minimize drag around propeller surfaces. The lift propeller may be displaced vertically with respect to the boom when switching to a lift configuration to provide greater separation from the boom to improve lift efficiency and reduce unwanted vibrations. The lift propeller may have a fail-safe configuration that allows the propeller to move passively between lift and stowed configurations, and to fully rotate even when fully retracted.