For example, on a three blade propeller if all blades are consistent it is probably normal wear. A good guide that you can use is to compare between blades. Centrifugal force pulls the blades out when they are rotating and tightens up the propeller.

On Hartzell Compact props you should have no play. On a McCauley propeller you are allowed up to 1/8” of play at the tip.

To check, place one blade in the horizontal position, (making sure the mags and master switch are off), then shake the tip of the blade leading edge to trailing edge. Run your hands over the leading and trailing edges because sometimes you can feel a crack where you might not have seen it. Alodine and paint for corrosion protection. Check the leading edges for any nicks and gouges. Give the blades a good visual inspection. The three areas you want to look at are the 1) blades, 2) hub assembly, and 3) spinner and bulkhead. If your calendar is getting up over this time you should be having a closer look for oil and grease leaks. Manufacturers recommend a calendar life of 5 to 6 years because this is what they estimate the seal life to be. Another is AD 97-18-02R1 on Hartzell steel hub propellers with double shoulder blades, models HC82VK, A2VK etc., which also calls for a maximum of 5 calendar years between inspections. For example, AD 81-13-06R2 on Hamilton Standard Hydromatic Propellers calls for a maximum of 5 years calendar between inspections. If there is an AD against the propeller which specifies a shorter calendar time this takes precedence. Not all propellers in Canada are on a 10 year calendar cycle. This also allows for possible long lead times from the manufacturers for parts or to prevent other snags. With this option, you should have no down time in the summer. Then you can be up and running for your spring fishing trip.įor example, if your propeller has 30 hours left on it till TBO at fall time and you fly 400 hours a summer, but don’t fly it in the winter, it may be good planning to send it into the prop shop early. This allows you and your prop shop time to work together to rectify any potential problems and if necessary, locate required parts which could possibly save you money. Look at your prop log in the fall and if required, send it to a shop to be serviced over the winter and it will be ready to install in the spring. If your propeller needs servicing before spring we advise that you send it in over the winter, perhaps even before doing your own aircraft storage. Now, with the Transport regulation changes, many propellers are on a 10 year calendar life. Traditionally, many propellers calendar out in the spring and need servicing.

Sensenich propeller serial numbers