Top Tips for Proper Aircraft Propeller Care

One of the most critical components in an aircraft, the propeller, is an aviation part that is not only responsible for giving its vessel a thrust capability, but it is also one of the pieces that weathers the most wear and tear. Because of the speed that they move at and the weight that is attached to them, the propellers are often at risk of sustaining serious damage after each flight. If not properly maintained and cared for, that risk is doubled. Because it is so vital to the aircraft and because they must endure frequent use, it’s important to implement enough care and maintenance for your vessel. Below you can find some tips and tricks to help you adhere to flight safety by providing great care to your aircraft propeller.

The first step that you can take is to conduct a thorough pre-flight inspection. As simple as this method may seem, pre-flight inspections can have such a great impact on achieving flight safety. You can start by looking for scratches, gouges, cracks, bumps and other obvious signs of damage on the spinner dome. Along with bruises, you should keep an eye out for missing hardware or signs of erosion. Be sure to feel the propeller so as to catch any odd bumps you might have initially skimmed over. If you do notice any concerning issues, be sure to address the problem quickly before the plane’s next flight.

One common mistake that is made by new propeller aircraft owners is, when needing to move the aircraft, pulling or pushing on the spinner and propeller blades. While they certainly do provide great leverage, this can actually cause great damage to the propellers blades, costing you more in the long run. Instead, you should use a towbar to safely move the aircraft without having it sustain damage.

If you tend to operate your aircraft on runways that have loose gravel or rocks, you may be subjecting your vehicle to sustained propeller damage. If possible, clear away any gravel or debris that’s within four to six feet of your aircraft before starting up or move the aircraft to hard ground. Remember, any time your propeller strikes a foreign object, you should discontinue the flight to prevent causing further damage.

Aircraft propellers have recommended overhaul intervals based on calendar time and flight hours. It’s essential to have your propellers overhauled once it reaches either the time limit or flight hour limit, whichever occurs first. Complying with your propeller manufacturer’s recommended overhaul periods will prevent any issues developing within the propeller from turning into bigger problems.

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