Described is a configuration of an unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”) that includes one or more lifting propellers that may be converted between an operational configuration and a transit configuration. When the lifting propeller is in a operational configuration, the leading edge of each propeller blade is aligned in the direction of rotation so that the lifting propeller will generate a positive lifting force when rotated by a lifting motor. When the lifting propeller is in the transit configuration, the leading edge of each of the propeller blades are oriented toward a direction of a transit flight of the aerial vehicle. Likewise, the lifting propeller is maintained in a fixed position during the transit flight so that airflow passing over the propeller blades of the lifting propeller cause vertical lift.