A propeller control system includes a propeller control logic subsystem in conjunction with an engine control logic subsystem to provide an optimized transition from forward to reverse speed governing under all operating conditions. By creating a Propeller control Mode (PCM) map relative the blade angle and Power Lever Angle (PLA), the minimum blade angle allowed for forward speed governing and the maximum blade angle allowed for reverse speed governing is determined. By combining the actual propeller blade angle, the min and max angles for speed governing, and the PLA signal, the state of the propeller speed governor is determined.