ORIGINAL: av8tor1977

You are correct about the prop being partially stalled on the ground in a static situation, but that means more drag on the prop and load on the engine, not less. The engine unloads in the air as the airplane approaches the prop pitch speed. (If you don't believe me try some data linking and watch your rpms in flight.) A climb will then load the engine, and on an non-pumped fuel setup, lean the mixture.

AV8TOR