New Video Helps Pilots with Composite Prop Blade Checks

Hartzell Propeller has released a video to help pilots and maintenance technicians perform a more thorough composite propeller blade check. It covers the evaluation of structural composite propeller blades by describing the ins and outs of composite prop pre-flight checks.

“Pre-flight checks for structural composite propellers are very similar to [those for] metal props, with some subtle differences,” said Hartzell Propeller executive vice president J.J. Frigge. “Hartzell’s composite expert, Kevin Ryan, walks pilots through the pre-flight step by step, including a discussion of nicks, gouges and paint erosion caused by runway debris.”

In the video, Ryan also addresses trailing edge impact damage from tow bars or other ground handling equipment. He also describes airworthy damage limits and how to properly “coin tap” the blade to detect evidence of possible delamination.

The company's blades are made from aerospace-grade composite material and “incredibly durable,” though Hartzell notes that they “are not entirely immune to damage.” However, its composite propeller blades can be repeatedly restored to their original dimensions, the company said.