T O P P R O P C O N V E R S I O N
What’s in the Kit?
In addition to the propeller and spinner
hardware, the Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) kit contains several documents with
which you should become familiar. These include:
The STC document
STC installation instructions
Propeller owner’s manual
Airplane Flight Manual Supplement
A warranty card
The STC document makes it legal to install your new propeller on your airplane. The STC document should be kept with the permanent records for the aircraft.
The STC installation instructions provide the information required to install the propeller, including any required placards or accessory changes. The enclosed owner’s manual also provides installation guidance. Be sure to mail in the revision service card included with the owner’s manual so that you will receive manual updates.
The Airplane Flight Manual Supplement (AFMS) must be kept with the Airplane Flight Manual and must be available to the pilot. The AFMS will list any changes to the airplane Flight Manual, which are caused by the installation of the STC. Any item not called out in the AFMS remains as specified in the original flight manual.
A warranty card is also enclosed in the kit.
Warranty
Top Prop conversions are covered by the Plus
Three warranty for a total of three years or 1,000 flight hours. Other warranty details
are the same as the standard warranty, which is described in the warranty card included in
the STC kit. The warranty card should be filled out, a copy made for your records, and the
original card sent in to Hartzell.
While the propeller is warranted against defects in materials and workmanship as described above, if you are dissatisfied with the operation of the propeller on your airplane for any reason, contact Hartzell within 90 days or 10 flight hours after installation.
Top Prop
Compatibility with other STCs
Occasionally, we get questions regarding
installation of a Top Prop STC in conjunction with another STC. There are many STCs
available today for a wide variety of aircraft equipment. The responsibility for
determining that the STC is compatible with previously installed modifications on a
particular airplane rests with the installer (the mechanic with Inspection Authorization
who completes the installation). A FAA statement to this effect is usually given in the
STC document under the Limitations and Conditions section.
Generally speaking, the installation of STC’d interior equipment is considered to be compatible with the installation of a Top Prop conversion kit. Examples of such equipment include:
- Electronic navigation equipment
- Engine analyzers
- Fuel totalizers
Airframe modifications are also generally compatible with the installation of a Top Prop propeller conversion kit. Examples of such equipment include:
- Control surface gap seal kits
- Vortex generator kits
- Wing tip fairings
A previously installed STC which approves engine modifications that change the power or vibrational characteristics of the engine is generally not compatible with a Top Prop propeller conversion. Examples of engine modifications not compatible with a Top Prop conversion include:
- Installation of a turbocharger
- Higher compression pistons
- Engine substitutions
Modifiers who offer engine conversions or modifications sometimes work with Hartzell to have a Top Prop propeller approved with their engine modification STC.
Contact the holder of the powerplant STC to see if a particular Top Prop propeller model is listed on the engine modification STC.
If there is any question whether a STC is compatible with your modified airplane, consult your local FAA Flight Standards office. They are the final authority.
Performance Changes
People often ask about the performance
improvements, which they will receive from their new propeller. Aircraft in the general
aviation fleet today vary widely in condition, making it difficult to make blanket
statements about performance improvements. Variables include:
- Engine wear
- Rigging differences and minor airframe damage
- Previous modifications
- Poorly fitting components such as cowlings, doors, etc.
STC performance testing is generally done using unmodified aircraft, which are in very "clean" condition. Test results must be at least as good as the original propeller to obtain the STC from the FAA. Many STCs are obtained on an "as good or better" performance basis. This means that while performance benefits are often gained, many times credit is not taken for the improvement to avoid having to prepare a complete set of new performance data for the airplane. In these cases, the AFMS will often state "No Change" under the performance section.
From time-to-time, owners wish to performance test their airplanes with the new Top Prop installed. While this can be an enjoyable and educational activity, several factors should be considered.
To obtain accurate data, consistent power settings, RPM, weight and C.G. values must be used for all tests. Proper data corrections must also be applied to correct for temperature, weight and other variations, which occur during the test program. If the data are to be compared to the original handbook figures, all of the instruments used in the test must also be calibrated.
In short, without proper test techniques, calibrations and data corrections applied, informal performance tests can lead to questionable results.
Vibration
We sometimes get questions regarding cabin
vibration, which is thought to be caused by the propeller. Before flying a new propeller
installation, the following items should be checked:
Verify propeller tracking and proper mating of the propeller/engine flange.
Verify that items such as control surfaces, cowl flaps, exhaust system and landing gear doors are free of excess play.
Check for poor isolation of engine controls and lines. Sometimes these items are disturbed when the propeller is installed in conjunction with other maintenance.
If vibration is experienced during initial flights with a newly installed propeller, the following items should be accomplished:
Perform propeller dynamic balancing (strongly recommended for all propeller installations).
Change propeller indexing (for propellers having more than one mounting position).
Check engine shock mounts for deterioration.
If vibration persists, stop troubleshooting and contact the Hartzell Top Prop office.
It is recommended that the original propeller be installed (and flown) after an engine overhaul to determine that the engine vibration levels in the cabin are acceptable before installing a new propeller. If the engine and propeller are changed at the same time, it will be difficult to determine the source of any changes in vibration levels.
Documents
All Top Prop STCs purchased after January 1,
1997 have the STC document copied on watermark paper with a raised Hartzell stamp. These
features denote an authentic STC document and are intended to prevent unauthorized
reproduction.
The STC document is truly "worth more than the paper it is printed on". Obtaining an STC to install a new propeller can cost anywhere from ten thousand to a quarter-million dollars depending on the complexity of the aircraft and installation. The STC paperwork is an important legal document, which should be treated with the same care as an aircraft or engine logbook. Verification of all aircraft documents, including STCs, should be a part of every aircraft pre-purchase inspection.
In the case of lost documents, replacement copies are available (for a fee) for aircraft which originally had a Top Prop kit installed. Before calling, locate your copy of the warranty card or be prepared to supply the aircraft serial number, propeller serial number, and aircraft N-number in order for Hartzell to issue new copies of the documents.
The STC documentation packages are not for sale separate from the propeller hardware. The Top Prop program is intended to provide owners with new propellers. Use of the Top Prop STC documents with used propellers is not authorized.
Transfer of STC
Each Top Prop STC kit is licensed for a
particular aircraft (registration number and serial number). The STC documents must remain
with the aircraft for which it was originally purchased.
Foreign
Approvals
Obtaining approval to install a Top Prop STC
outside of the U.S. is considered to be the responsibility of the installer (owner,
mechanic or inspector). However, Hartzell has a list available for our foreign customers,
which lists all of the countries in which the STC has been previously approved or sold.
Non-U.S. customers might also check with their national aviation authorities to see if a
list of approved modifications is available for their country.
If a Top Prop STC is not currently approved in a particular country, application for approval usually must be made. Many countries accept the FAA STC outright, while others require some level of validation. The validation process often takes several months and should be initiated before purchase and installation of the propeller conversion. Contact the Hartzell Top Prop office as soon as possible if approval in a non-U.S. country is required.
General Maintenance
Recommended routine propeller maintenance is
described in the owner’s manual, which is included with your STC kit. Familiarizing
yourself with the information contained in the manual will maximize the service life and
reliability of your new propeller.
Customer
Satisfaction
The Top Prop propeller conversions were developed to provide performance enhancements,
improved comfort and appearance, and reduced maintenance for your airplane. If you are not
satisfied with your new Top Prop conversion, let us know. We want happy customers.