Hi Ian and Ian (I liked writing that!),
Our last few prop services have also been with Eric.
The repainting on the props the last couple of times looked like it was done by
someone with their eyes were closed.Not so important I guess but after the last
overhaul grease was being sprayed from the hub onto the blades (had never done
so prior overhaul). After sending it back to Eric it returned better but still
losing some grease. Not particularly inspiring given the cost and time as Macca
discovered too.
Macca, other than after being overhauled, our prop has never given any issues.
Given the occasional reliability issue with the electric variable props and the
major expense and time required of sending back to Europe for repairs, the
mechanical pitch is easily my preference. Nice and simple and being ground
adjustable between summer and winter ambient temps means that the performance
loss isn't that great from a full variable pitch prop.
RegardsLaurie Hoffman
SYDNEY MOTOR GLIDER FLIGHT GROUP
From: Ian Mc Phee <[email protected]>
To: DOG LIST <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, 17 February 2015, 22:14
Subject: Re: [DOG mailing list] Dimona prop issue
Yep been there done that. Where will I start? Our prop went to Eric in August
and back mid September for the 6yr 11month service. It came back and would
change to coarse and stay there half the time. It then went to gulf late
September and slowly got worse. After a week at gulf reached stage it would
almost continually return to climb. It got so bad I changed pitch to mid
position so the pilots could get home. We have S2500 engine so no issues.
Complained to Eric sent it down on Oct 9 and there it was for 15 weeks as Eric
did not know what was wrong. I say again 15weeks. Dennis Stacey visited him
as he took the prop out of the box. Others visited on my behalf. No joy.
Conclusion was from Germany to fit an exchange boss at $250 total was $480 on
top of $4800 to "service the prop". Why that was not done in first place I
will never know. When at burketown there were 4 motorgliders there and ours was
just out of service & had more blade rotation play than all the rest. It is
back now and zero play infact prop has never been better. First time every
time. How much blade rotation play do you have. Now a LAME friend advised me
with engines and props UNLESS you are doing charter there is no calendar
service ONLY hours service. Thus I asked our GFA Dennis Stacey and he sent me
a heap of notes and links confirming this. So from what Dennis tells me we can
ignore the 6 yrs 11month service & revert to makers hours requirements if not
in charter. I go along with if it ain't broke why fix it. I will never ever go
back to Eric for service. I would rather send it to USA or Germany but not
AUSTRALIA AIR PROP. Eric is a nice bloke BUT. What a saga. That is why I
have a falke with FIXED PITCH & no way would I consider a 2 position prop. So
as you see I am not happy. GRRRRRRRRIan Mc Phee
0428847642
(Ian what do you know of grant nelson from your area in NZ. Keepit club have
set him up a workshop at keepit to do repairs)
On 17/02/2015 8:04 PM, "Ian Williams" <[email protected]> wrote:
Hi all, The little Dimona here in New Zealand has now just passed 50hrs and
going real well. However we have started having a problem withthe prop which
the considerable collective experience of this forum may have hadthe same issue
Which is …. Changing from fine to coarse pitchis OK (though does need a
significant pull) however if the airspeed islow(ish) it will drop back into
fine pitch. It is a bit random … Ihave just been to the South Island in it
(about 12 hrs flying time) at higher airspeeds it did seem to stay in coarse
pitch. Anyideas??? I will take a look tomorrow… maybe a good clean of
thelatch with WD40 then some oil may work. But I would be reallyinterested in
any comments. It is a standard Hoffman BT prop andhas had the AD embodied ….
50 hrs since overhaul by Eric. I havechecked all the things obvious like
thrust plate run out, the thrust platebearings etc all look as supposed to.
Best regards Ian WilliamsDimona ZK-GCB
