Description
Diagnose, adjust, repair, and overhaul aircraft propellers and related control systems, including governors, feathering, reversing, de-ice, and synchronizing, to ensure safe and efficient operation.
- • Read and interpret propeller and governor manuals, service bulletins, and airworthiness directives to determine repair methods and limits.
- • Inspect completed propeller work to certify it meets standards and the aircraft is ready for operation.
- • Maintain maintenance records and repair logs for all propeller and governor work.
- • Conduct routine and special inspections of propellers and control systems as required by regulations.
- • Examine blades, hubs, spinners, and pitch-change mechanisms to locate cracks, erosion, leaks, looseness, or other defects.
- • Inspect de-ice boots, slip rings, brushes, and wiring for wear, continuity, and proper operation.
- • Maintain, repair, and overhaul propeller assemblies, governors, feathering pumps, and synchrophasers.
- • Check and adjust blade tracking, indexing, and pitch angles using protractors or electronic tools.
- • Replace or repair damaged blades, seals, bearings, and other components using approved tools and procedures.
- • Measure blade shank dimensions, bushing clearances, and bearing preload with precision instruments.
- • Assemble and install propellers, spinners, and related hardware, torquing fasteners and applying safety wire.
- • Test propeller operation on the aircraft or a test stand, verifying governing, feather, reverse, and low-pitch stop functions.
- • Balance propellers statically and dynamically to correct vibration.
- • Blend and dress nicks, dents, and leading-edge damage within allowable limits.
- • Perform composite blade repairs, layups, and curing per manufacturer specifications.
- • Prepare, strip, prime, and paint blades and spinners; apply erosion shields or boot adhesives.
- • Service propeller systems by greasing bearings, flushing contaminated oil, and replacing filters and seals.
- • Remove and install propellers using hoists or lifts, following safe handling procedures.
- • Interpret pilot reports of vibration, surging, or overspeed to diagnose propeller system faults.
- • Adjust and rig governors, beta or reverse linkages, and low-pitch stops to achieve specified RPM control.
- • Perform non-destructive inspections of blades and hubs using dye penetrant and eddy current methods.
- • Locate and mark reference lines and blend limits on blades using templates, pitch blocks, and rules.
- • Install and secure balance weights and shims; document weight changes.
- • Verify electrical or fluid de-ice system operation and correct current draw or flow rates.
- • Monitor propeller parameters during engine runs to detect abnormal vibration or governing behavior.
- • Comply with engineering orders and technical publications when modifying or upgrading propeller systems.
- • Coordinate with powerplant and avionics technicians to resolve interrelated propeller or control issues.
- • Clean and protect components and surrounding areas during sanding, blending, and painting.
- • Inventory and requisition parts, materials, consumables, and special tools for propeller work.
- • Create and affix maintenance release tags and required regulatory forms after inspection or overhaul.
- • Determine repair or scrap limits for blades, hubs, and governors in accordance with manuals.
- • Set up and operate propeller test equipment, tachometers, and vibration analyzers.
- • Troubleshoot and repair propeller synchronizing or synchrophasing systems on multi-engine aircraft.
- • Ensure proper torque, bolt stretch, and fastener locking on propeller retention systems.
- • Support post-maintenance ground runs and, when required, accompany test flights to evaluate propeller performance.
- • Maintain shop cleanliness, control FOD, and manage hazardous materials used in propeller maintenance.
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
