Aircraft & Engine
Look After the Propeller
Feel prop leading edges for nicks in the pre-flight, keep the area in front clear, taxi carefully on gravel, avoid rough-ground run-ups and stay off the northern grass where possible.
1 min readKapiti Aero Club safety team
The propeller is one of the most under-appreciated components in general aviation. We're taught early on how to stay safe around it, but not nearly as much about how to look after it.
That care starts with your pre-flight:
- Run your fingers along the leading edge of each blade, feeling for nicks, dents or scratches – any of these can become a starting point for corrosion and fatigue.
- Before start-up, make sure the area in front of and below the propeller is clear. At low RPM, it can draw in debris from up to two metres away.
When taxiing:
- On unsealed surfaces, taxi with the yoke held aft to help lift the nose and protect the blades from loose gravel.
- Avoid run-ups on gravel or rough ground.
- Cross between different surfaces at a 45° angle wherever possible.
To help reduce wear and tear, please avoid taxiing on the grass north of the aero club unless absolutely necessary. If you need to access the northern grass area, taxi via the gap between the white tyres on Taxiway E to avoid rough patches.