SERVICING YOUR PROPELLER
Locating Qualified Propeller Service Technicians
All service on your propeller should be performed by an approved propeller repair station that is certified by the Federal Aviation Agency to service, recondition, repair or overhaul propellers in accordance with the requirements established by the propeller manufacturer or the FAA. Approved repair stations have demonstrated that they have the equipment, technical information and skills to perform this work. They are licensed and limited to working only on specified propeller models, which are listed by manufacturer and model on their authorization.
Know where your ³home base² prop repair station is located, as well as other stations in areas where you fly and land frequently. If you are repairing or overhauling your propeller, upgrading your aircraft or simply replacing one propeller with another just like it, contact us for a list of McCauley Authorized Propeller Sales and Service Centers. FAR¹s require that you maintain a separate log for the propeller so that you have a permanent record of prop maintenance and overhaul.
Overhauling or Reconditioning Your Propeller
Blade reconditioning covers major or minor blade damage from accident or other causes and includes balancing of the prop. Blades should also be reconditioned if they have been damaged and filed often. This work is performed on an ³as required² basis by an FAA-approved propeller repair station. For a one-piece, fixed-pitch prop, reconditioning is equivalent to an overhaul. For other types of props, if damage is major but repairable, an overhaul may be included with the reconditioning.
All props require periodic overhaul to increase safety, prolong propeller life and improve function or operation. The overhaul interval is generally based on hours of service (operating time) as well as a calendar limit. During overhaul, the propeller is disassembled and inspected for wear, cracks, corrosion and other abnormal conditions. Parts may be replaced or reconditioned and refinished. The propeller is then re-assembled and balanced.
Service Bulletins
The service bulletin is the strongest document a manufacturer can write. When any of our products in the field require a modification, we issue a service bulletin to alert owners and operators. These service bulletins contain important information related to flight safety and aircraft performance. For your own safety, please read all service bulletins carefully.