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