AMD 601XL / 601XLI / 650LS / 650LSi SLSA MAINTENANCE MANUAL
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SECTION XII
PROPELLER SYSTEM
5. WOOD PROPELLER INSPECTION.
Follow the manufactures instructions for maintenance an operations. For the Sensenich wood
propellers, Doc# WOOD_CF_REV_A 5-20-04 may be helpful.
If instructions are not available from the propeller manufacturer, the following may be used:
Inspection of a wood propeller. Inspect to ensure the following:
(1) The drain holes are open on metal edged blade tips
(2) The metal/composite leading edge is secured and serviceable
(3) The blades, hub, and leading edge have no scars or bruises
(4) The mounting bolt torque and safety wire or cotter pins are secure
(5) There are no cracks on the propeller spinner (if applicable), and the safety wire is secure
(6) There are no small cracks in the protective coating on the propeller, which are caused by UV
radiation
(7) The charring around the mating surface of the prop and the engine flange -- both indications
of a loose propeller
Torque: A new, wooden propeller should have the mounting bolts checked for proper torque
within the first hour of flight.
(1) After 10 hours, check the bolt torque every 50 hours thereafter. The mounting bolt torque
also should be checked prior to flight if the aircraft has been in storage for a long period of time
(3 to 6 months).
(2) If the bolts need to be torqued, it is suggested all the bolts be loosened for an hour to
allow the wood to relax. ‘‘Finger tighten’’ the bolts until snug and tighten the attaching bolts in
small increments, moving diagonally across the bolt circle. It is good practice to check the
propeller track) as the bolts are torqued down. The torqued bolts should be safety wired in pairs.
(3) If nylon/fiber insert type nuts are used, they should be changed every time the propeller bolts
are re-torqued. They should never be used with a bolt with a cotter key hole in the threaded area
because the sharp edges around the hole will cut the nylon/fiber insert and reduce the fasteners
effectiveness. All self-locking nuts should have at least two bolt threads visible pass the
nylon/fiber insert after torquing.
(4) If any of the following damage is found, a wood propeller should be removed from the aircraft
and sent back to the manufacturer / repair station for repair. If the propeller cannot be saved, it
should be marked unserviceable.
(i) Any cracks in the blades or hub
(ii) Deep cuts across the wood grain
(iii) Blade track that exceeds 1/16” limits after attempts to repair
(iv) Any warpage or obvious defect
(v) Extreme wear (leading edge erosion, bolt hole elongation)
(vi) Any separation
NOTE: When parking the aircraft, always leave the wood propeller in the horizontal
position. This position will allow the wood to absorb small amounts of moisture evenly
across it’s entire span rather than concentrating the moisture (weight) in the low blade and
creating a vibration problem.
July 09
12-1
