PropellerMan is one of the world’s largest buyers and sellers of aircraft propellers. We have been family owned and operated since 2002. Myles “the General Manager and Propeller Man” began his career in aviation as an R & E Mechanic for a regional airline. Myles returned to the field of aviation when he purchased PropellerMan in 2002. Since that time Myles has become a certified aircraft propeller technician and has accumulated hundreds of hours in aircraft propeller repair and service. His experience and knowledge will assist you in making the best decision regarding your aircraft propeller.
- Supplying aircraft propellers and propeller parts from all major American Aircraft Propeller Manufacturers – Sensenich – McCauley - Hartzell
- Same day shipping on most orders
- We are aircraft propeller specialists. Aircraft propellers and their related parts (spinners, hubs, bolts, blades) are our only business.
- Highly knowledgeable! Call us to discuss your aircraft propeller options!
We are located in Central Florida, USA, one of the busiest aviation locations in the world. We enjoy meeting our customers! Call us anytime you are visiting Florida. Myles can be reached on his cell phone (954) 383- 3387 or at his office in Kissimmee, Florida at (407) 932-2222.
Gayle’s Father owned and operated an FBO and was a crop duster. When asked to write about maintenance of the AG propeller or any hardworking propeller we collaborated to write the following informative article: Dad was a World War II pilot.
Here Dad is in 1949 at his FBO in Bozeman, Montana.
As the daughter of a Crop Duster, I enjoyed listening to my Dad’s stories around the dinner table but never thought a lot about what it took to maintain my Dad’s airplane propeller. Not until I decided to earn my living in the Aviation Industry. I now work with my husband in the aircraft propeller industry.
When asked how to prolong the life of a propeller on the average AG plane, my first thoughts were, “Don’t take off on gravel roads. Don’t hit power lines. Keep the prop in the box it came in!” Seriously, as the reader already knows, maintaining a propeller on an Ag Plane is much more challenging than that of the average aircraft.
In addition to the regular challenges that face all plane owners such as corrosion, nicks, and prop strikes, the Ag Pilot has the wear and tear resulting from taking off and landing on gravel, dirt and unpaved airstrips along with the added corrosion threat from the pesticides and chemicals he uses. Additionally, the aerobatic like turns and maneuvers shorten the life of the AG propeller, a fact reflected in the manufacturer’s mandated shorter-than-average recommend time between overhauls (TBOs) established for Ag propellers.
If I owned and operated an AG Plane (Who knows?) here are the 8 best life prolonging, money saving strategies for that hard working propeller.
1. Use restraint in removing nicks. If you are an Ag Pilot, you most likely act as your own mechanic. As the mechanic, use restraint in removing nicks and sharp edges from your own propeller. We frequently see propellers that have been filed below minimums in the field. In an overhaul, the Professional Propeller Technician (PPT) is trained to remove just enough to smooth all of the dings and blemishes. Even a PPT can cause a blade to go below minimum thicknesses to where a blade will be scrapped. Leave as much blade diameter, thickness and width as possible for the PPT to utilize during overhaul. We want your propeller to make overhaul!
2. Wash your propeller daily. While it is a good idea for every owner to wipe down a propeller after use, it is absolutely critical for the Ag plane owner to remove the caustic chemicals that build up with each use.
3. Send your prop to a Certified Repair Facility for a Midlife Inspection. Keep in mind that even though your propeller appears to be functioning, internal corrosion, especially in humid climates, could be destroying your propeller. Catch corrosion early!
While conducting a Midlife Inspection, have your propeller resealed. During a reseal the propeller is taken completely apart, a visual corrosion inspection is conducted and all the seals are replaced. Usually the propeller is repainted and balanced at this time as well. This relatively inexpensive procedure (half the cost of an overhaul) can add life to your propeller through the early discovery of corrosion and other problems that can destroy your propeller.
4. Paint your propeller. Paint helps protect your propeller. A Dress and Paint by a professional will add life to your propeller! This procedure can be done more frequently, but the mid life inspection is a convenient time to get your propeller painted.
5. Never attempt to straighten a propeller blade yourself. Straightening your own propeller blade is illegal for a good reason. Compromised metal is very dangerous. Let the experts straighten your blade and determine if the propeller is safe to put back on your aircraft. When it comes to propeller maintenance, never were the words, "Better safe than sorry" more true.
6. Look at your Manufacturer’s guidelines before attempting to grease your own propeller. Over greasing your propeller can potentially cause an out of balance condition. Review your manufacturer's general guidelines on how to grease your propeller.
7. Check propeller tracking frequently. If your propeller has been bumped or compromised, check the tracking. A change in tracking can be unnoticeable or cause severe vibrations. Improper tracking will cause the propeller to feel out of balance but the cure is distinct from balancing. While the mechanic can check the propeller tracking, once discovering your propeller is out of track, a PPT must realign it for you.
8. Keep your propeller balanced, both Statically and Dynamically. A Static Balance is routinely performed on every propeller by a Certified Propeller Repair Station (CPRS) during an overhaul, mid life inspection or even during a simple Dress and Paint.
A Dynamic Balance is performed on a plane with the engine running. Because CPRSs (or other Maintenance Facilities) charge additional fees for this service and because it is not "required", the owner often chooses not to have this service performed. Penny wise but pound foolish! A Dynamic Balance will help mate the prop and the crank shaft together; save the bearings in a crank shaft; and enable the entire engine to run more smoothly.
9. Be on the alert for oil or red dye. If you spot oil or red dye, try to locate the origin of the leak. The propeller is not always the source of the leak. Engine oil leaks caused from mounting the O ring or crank shaft seal are often blamed on the propeller. If red dye is evident, the propeller must be removed from service and sent for repair. Depending on the model of the prop and per the manufacturer’s instructions, you are allowed to see if the propeller will seal itself. As long as you are not faced with a severe leak of red dye, you may fly a couple hours "to get where you are going".
Hardworking, watch-the-bottom-line AG Pilots are often reluctant to bring their propeller in for professional inspections. The down time and expenses are delayed because the ever present fear is, "What if they scrap or red-tag my propeller?" The best strategy is to take care of your propeller and when you notice irregularities, have a professional look at your propeller immediately. A properly maintained propeller will have the longest life and save you money in the long run.
Lastly, manage the work your repair station performs on your propeller. Ask for a full inspection report before they begin work that includes price quotes on both labor and parts. You have a right to examine any scrapped parts and you are entitled to a full explanation of why those parts scrapped. Get price quotes from more than one repair shop and be sure to use a reputable Certified Propeller Repair Station.