This is worth checking to avoid losing a prop, and your flybaby!
As part of preflight check I have a routine that "may" have averted a near future crash.
Without going over my entire preflight checklist, I'll cut to it and share what I found.
One step, of just one of the Prop prechecks prior to turning the MP for flight is;
TODAY
This morning, during preflight check, I found one of the props had noticeable slop (or travel) when locked in.
I checked all the others again and found the other three were completely secure and zero left-right travel. The one with left right slop was determined to be about 1/16 of an inch. I changed the one out and flew for an hour and a half. I then returned to the hanger (aka - my home office). Here I checked again to see that the initial concern was still there. It was, and to eliminate the motor lock connection as the issue, I tried the prop in other motors and the lock had the same amount of slop.
PROGNOSIS - this prop lock connection was headed for failure
Now this may seem a little picky, but we hear about crashes and post crash analysis concluding the aircraft lost a prop. My current props all have about 120 flights and 900k feet of flight, over about 18 hours total time.
ACTION TAKEN
It's not good risk management to put your MP (and others on the ground) at risk for a $3 prop, when finding any signs of wear. My answer is change it out.
Hope this saves one of your flybabies.
Smooth air!
Craig
As part of preflight check I have a routine that "may" have averted a near future crash.
Without going over my entire preflight checklist, I'll cut to it and share what I found.
One step, of just one of the Prop prechecks prior to turning the MP for flight is;
- I hold each motor one at a time with one hand, and twist the prop center or hub gently left and right with the other hand. I am checking that the prop hub is securely locked into the motor
- At the same time I am also checking for "wear travel" (or slop) while gently twisting left and right.
TODAY
This morning, during preflight check, I found one of the props had noticeable slop (or travel) when locked in.
I checked all the others again and found the other three were completely secure and zero left-right travel. The one with left right slop was determined to be about 1/16 of an inch. I changed the one out and flew for an hour and a half. I then returned to the hanger (aka - my home office). Here I checked again to see that the initial concern was still there. It was, and to eliminate the motor lock connection as the issue, I tried the prop in other motors and the lock had the same amount of slop.
PROGNOSIS - this prop lock connection was headed for failure
Now this may seem a little picky, but we hear about crashes and post crash analysis concluding the aircraft lost a prop. My current props all have about 120 flights and 900k feet of flight, over about 18 hours total time.
ACTION TAKEN
It's not good risk management to put your MP (and others on the ground) at risk for a $3 prop, when finding any signs of wear. My answer is change it out.
Hope this saves one of your flybabies.
Smooth air!
Craig