Commonwealth legislation

AD/PROP/2 Amdt 2 - Feathering Propellers - Functional Check

RepealedCTH

This Act has been repealed and is no longer in force. It is retained for historical reference.

Jurisdiction

Commonwealth

Collection

legislative instrument

Plain English Summary

2/10 complexity

What this is: A safety rule requiring regular checks of aircraft propellers to ensure they can 'feather' properly.

What is 'feathering'? When an aircraft engine fails, the propeller blades need to turn sideways (like a weather vane) to stop creating drag and allow the plane to glide safely. This is called 'feathering'.

Who it affects: Owners and operators of piston-engine aircraft with feathering propellers. Powered gliders are exempt.

What must be done: Every 12 months or every 100 flight hours (whichever comes first), a mechanic must perform a ground test to verify the propeller can fully feather within the time limit set by the manufacturer.

Why it matters: If a propeller cannot feather during an engine failure, it creates significant drag that can make the aircraft difficult or impossible to control. Regular testing also helps prevent oil sludge buildup and keeps blade bearings lubricated.

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Current sections

Direct links to the current provisions in AD/PROP/2 Amdt 2 - Feathering Propellers - Functional Check.

AD/PROP/2 Amdt 2 - Feathering Propellers - Functional Check

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 107 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY

SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

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Propellers - General

AD/PROP/2

Amdt 2

Feathering Propellers - Functional Check 11/94

Applicability: All feathering propellers fitted to piston engine aircraft, except powered gliders.

Requirement: Conduct a ground functional check to ensure the propellers will fully feather within the aircraft manufacturer's specified time limits.

Compliance: At intervals not exceeding 100 hours time in service or 12 calendar months, whichever occurs first. This amendment becomes effective from 13 October 1994.

Note: For further information on the requirement to check the feathering ability of propellers refer old series Airworthiness Advisory Circular No 117-3.

Background: To ensure propellers are capable of feathering when required, a ground functional check is introduced. Regular feathering of propellers will reduce the engine oil sludge build up in the propeller dome and aid in redistribution of grease in blade bearings. The previous amendment incorporates manufacturers' time limits to the feathering check while this amendment introduces an annual inspection requirement.

Source text

Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation (legislation.gov.au), CC BY 4.0.

1 AD/PROP/2 Amdt 2 - Feathering Propellers - Functional Check