A method and system for controlling a pitch of blades of a fan assembly having a centerline axis of rotation is provided. The system includes a pitch change mechanism (PCM) including a hydraulic actuator positioned axisymmetric with respect to the fan assembly and configured to angularly displace the blades of the fan assembly between a first position and a second position. The PCM further includes a plurality of hydraulic fluid supply lines coupled in flow communication between the hydraulic actuator and a hydraulic fluid transfer sleeve, the hydraulic fluid transfer sleeve configured to transfer a flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid across a gap between a stationary member of the hydraulic fluid transfer sleeve and a rotatable member of the hydraulic fluid transfer sleeve.