F R E Q U E N T L Y A S K E D Q U E S T I O N S
Your Hartzell propeller model is impression stamped on the propeller hub and should be recorded near the front of your propeller log. A slash mark separates the propeller and blade designations. The blade designation should be ink stamped or on a thermal decal located on the camber (front) side of the blade. Additionally, blades are permanently identified internally.
Aluminum Hub Reciprocating Model Identification
Steel Hub Reciprocating Model Identification
Aluminum Hub Turbine Model Identification
Steel Hub Turbine Model Identification
What propeller should I use on my experimental home built aircraft?The determining factors in choosing the correct propeller for an experimental home built aircraft are safety, performance, weight, cost, noise, diameter limits and durability.
Technical Issues Involved In Propeller System Selection For Your Kit-plane Brochure
What spinner goes with the propeller on my
airplane?
Always check the airframe type certificate
data sheet or propeller or spinner supplemental type certificate (STC). Hartzell’s
Application Guide Manual 159 also lists
Hartzell spinners.
Do I have any airworthiness directives that
affect my propeller?
You will need to know your propeller model
and serial number to determine if it is affected by an airworthiness directive Link to
Model Number above. Follow the link below to review a summary of all airworthiness
directives that are applicable to Hartzell Propellers. For more specific information,
there are links to the text of many of the airworthiness
directives.
When is my propeller due for overhaul?
Hartzell Service Letter 61( ) is designed
to answer questions dealing with propeller and governor overhauls, TBO
extensions, calendar limits and long term storage. To determine when your
propeller is due for overhaul you will need to know your propeller model
number (example HC-C2YK-1BF). Within the service letter locate your
propeller model and all pertinent notes.
HC-SL-61( )
Why do I have to overhaul my propeller
after 5 or 6 years when it has limited time since last overhaul and the aircraft has been
stored in a heated hanger?
Hartzell recommends the overhaul limits
published in Service Letter 61( ) to protect your safety, your investment and to maximize
the safe operating life of your propeller.
During normal operation, an aircraft propeller is subjected to 10 to 20 tons of centrifugal force per blade. It is necessary to have the propeller overhauled at the recommended intervals to avoid a propeller-related incident/accident that could result in serious injury or death.
What will they do to my propeller
during overhaul?
An overhaul, by
definition, is the periodic disassembly, inspection, repair, refinish and reassembly of a
propeller system.
Have the propeller transported to a FAA approved propeller overhaul facility. This facility should be equipped with all the specialized tools and fixtures required to disassemble and reassemble the propeller. Technicians will disassemble and conduct a thorough inspection of all reusable parts. The assessment includes visual, magnetic particle, eddy current and penetrant inspections. Additionally, they will dimensionally inspect all reusable parts ensuring they are within tolerance after any type of repair and eliminate all evidence of scratches, nicks, burrs, corrosion and other damage. The propeller is then reassembled to factory specifications, lubricated, balanced and returned to service having complied with all applicable service documents and airworthiness directives.
Can Hartzell provide me a one-time
extension for overhaul or AD compliance?
Only your FAA (or foreign equivalent)
controlling authority can grant extension approvals for overhaul or airworthiness
directive compliance. However, Hartzell considers some temporary one-time overhaul
extensions to be acceptable for scheduling flexibility. The specifics of the types of
acceptable extension are specified in Hartzell
Service Letter HC-61-61( ). Permanent overhaul extensions require a FAA approved sampling program,
as specified in Hartzell
Service Letter HC-61-61( ).
How and when do I grease my propeller?
The procedures and intervals for
lubricating (greasing) your propeller are based on the type of propeller you are operating,
aluminum hub or steel hub, and whether the propeller is installed on a reciprocating or
turbine engine application. In addition, the lubricating interval may need to be altered
depending on the number of hours you operate your aircraft every year and the type of
environment you fly or base your plane in. Specific guidance for greasing your
propeller can be found in the applicable
Hartzell Owner's Manual.
What grease should I use to lubricate my
propeller?
Aeroshell 6 is the "all purpose"
grease used on all Hartzell new production propellers since 1989 except propellers
installed on the Piaggio P180 and the Grob Egrett. Reference your propeller’s
maintenance manual or contact Hartzell product support before using grease other than
Aeroshell 6. Specific guidance for greasing your
propeller can be found in the applicable
Hartzell Owner's Manual.
Can I repair cracks/damage to my spinner?
Hartzell approved repairs or
modifications to Hartzell metal spinners are included in Hartzell Manual 127. Refer to Hartzell Manual 127 or an authorized propeller
repair station for spinner damage acceptance and repair information.
I have a large nick on the edge of one of
my blades, can I repair it?
Local repairs to aluminum blades may be
made by an A&P mechanic, propeller repairman or the aircraft builder (experimental) in
accordance with FAA Advisory Circular 43.13-1B. For additional guidance refer to General Maintenance Practices.
Composite blade inspection and repair requires specific training, equipment and techniques. Procedures and limits are found in Hartzell Manual 135F (61-13-35).
What should I be looking for during my
preflight inspection?
Basic guidelines for preflight, annual and
100 hour inspections can be found in Hartzell’s General Maintenance Guidelines.
What should I accomplish during the engine
run-up?
Engine run-up and exercising of the
propeller should be accomplished per the Pilot’s Operating Handbook. In addition,
basic guidelines for engine run-up and static RPM check can be found in Hartzell’s General Maintenance Guidelines.
What is the proper procedure for hand
propping an aircraft?
Hand propping an aircraft is not
recommended by Hartzell. If you already know how to hand prop an aircraft, remember to
secure all loose articles of clothing and have a qualified person at the controls.
Remember, the number one cause of propeller-related injuries and fatalities is people
being struck by a turning propeller.
Mechanical tachometers are notoriously inaccurate, therefore, Hartzell recommends that mechanical tachometers should be checked annually. It is important to have an accurate tachometer for these reasons:
My propeller is (surging, leaking, feathering,
vibrating) what should I do?
For troubleshooting of common problems refer to General Troubleshooting Guidelines.
Hartzell Propeller is ready to assist you with questions concerning your propeller system. Hartzell product support may be reached by phone (937.778.4379), fax (937.778.4391) or E-mail (techsupport@hartzellprop.com). Business hours are 8:00am through 5:00pm, United States Eastern Time Monday through Friday.
Additionally, members of the Hartzell product support team visit several air shows, tradeshows, fly-ins and inspection authorization seminars throughout the year.
Where is my nearest Hartzell repair/service facility?Hartzell distributors and recommended repair facilities are endorsed by Hartzell for servicing our products. Is my propeller still under warranty and what expenses will Hartzell cover?
The Standard Warranty period is one year / 1000 hours whichever occurs first. Warranty starts on the date the propeller is installed on the aircraft. For questions, or to determine if your propeller is covered under warranty please contact the Hartzell Warranty Administrator via phone (937.778.4380), facsimile (937.778.4391), or email at Warranty@hartzellprop.com.
How does my propeller work?
Hartzell Propeller Inc. manufactures only controllable and constant speed,
hydraulically actuated propellers for power plants that range from 150shp (reciprocating)
to 2180shp (gas turbines).
A constant speed propeller system is controlled by an engine speed-sensing device
(governor), to maintain a constant engine/propeller RPM by changing blade pitch.
The governor uses an internal pump that is driven by the engine. This pump increases
engine oil pressure for supply to the propeller. Engine speed sensing hardware within the
governor controls the supply of oil to the propeller, supplying or draining oil as
appropriate to maintain constant engine speed.
Propeller blade pitch change is accomplished via a hydraulic piston/cylinder combination mounted on the forward end of the propeller hub. Propeller forces, consisting of: 1) mechanical spring action, 2) cylinder air charge, 3) counterweights, 4) and centrifugal twisting moment on the blades, in a variety of combinations, are constantly present while the propeller is operating. A variable hydraulic force (oil pressure from the engine driven governor) opposes these forces.
Oil pressure is metered by the governor to oppose this constant force. The propeller forces, opposed by the variable hydraulic force cause the propeller blade pitch to increase, decrease, or maintain the current setting. Oil under pressure from the engine-driven governor is supplied to the hydraulic cylinder through the pitch change rod. Increasing or decreasing the oil volume within the hydraulic cylinder either increases blade pitch to reduce engine RPM, or reduces blade pitch to increase engine RPM. By changing the blade pitch, the governor maintains constant engine RPM (within limits), independent of the throttle setting. If oil pressure is lost at any time, the propeller forces, which are in direct opposition to the lost variable hydraulic force, either increases or reduces blade angle, depending upon propeller model.
What is beta? What does feathering mean?Beta Range/Reverse
Some constant speed propellers are equipped for beta/reverse operation. Beta Range is any blade angle below flight idle (Hydraulic low pitch stop). Reverse is any blade angle less than zero degrees. This blade angle produces thrust in a direction opposite to that of normal thrust. Such propellers are typically installed on aircraft with turbine engines and are used for to reduce landing roll. Feathering
Some constant speed propellers, primarily installed on twin engine aircraft, are equipped to reposition the blades until they are nearly aligned with the relative wind. This position, termed feathering, is used to minimize drag, thus increasing single engine performance. What is a composite propeller and what are its advantages?
The Hartzell composite blade is composed of a metal blade shank retention section into which is molded a low-density foam core that supports built-up layers of composite laminate.
Advantages of composite blades include higher life limits and substantial weight reduction over conventional aluminum blades. Additionally, most damage to composites can be repaired and returned to service where, damage to an aluminum blade requires removal of material and ultimately the blade must be retired from service.
What is a Q-Tip propeller? What are its advantages?
Aerodynamic improvements include a reduced diameter and decreased tip speeds. This results in quieter operation and reduced tip vortices. The 90° bend reduces the vortices that, on traditional blades, pick up debris that can contact the blades and cause nicks, gouges and scratches.
How can I be trained on Hartzell Propeller’s products?Hartzell Propeller provides several training classes on site in Piqua, Ohio. These courses are typically designed for propeller shops and airline operators.