Technology News Article > How Do I

How Do I

Library Menu

Products

Interpret AC200 Indicators

Order A Propeller

Interpret Product Codes

Propeller At Fine Pitch Stop

Constant Speed Governing

Propeller At Coarse Pitch Stop

Over current

Step1 – Assess the damage

Step 2 – Contact Airmaster.

Step 3 – Prepare propeller for shipment.

Step 4 – Select shipment method

Package Dimensions and Weights

Box A Hub and spinner

Propeller At Fine Pitch Stop

Constant Speed Governing

Propeller At Coarse Pitch Stop

Over current

Step 2 – Information Collection

Step 3 – Order Generation

Return For Repair

Returning your propeller for Factory Repair In the unfortunate event that you have a ground strike with your propeller, you will need to return it to us for repair. These are the suggested steps you should follow.
Step1 – Assess the damage Remove the propeller from the aircraft but leave the blade retention components attached to the hub. Take a note of which components have been affected by the ground strike. Obviously the blades will be affected but there is also the spinner, spinner support and slipring to consider.
Step 2 – Contact Airmaster. Send us a quick email explaining what has happened. We will assist with any part that you are unsure of.
Step 3 – Prepare propeller for shipment. Cut off the blades at the root of the blade ~1in from the ferrule. This will reduce the cost of returning the propeller by making it more compact. Consider which parts you want returned for assesment and or upgrading. You may wish to return the controller and brushblock / loom for example, to have them upgraded to the latest software and hardware versions. Generally we do not recommend returning the spinner if it is undamaged as it can easily be damaged in transit. Make a note as to whether it requires replacement.
Step 4 – Select shipment method We recommend you use UPS, FedEx or other similar couriers 25kg box services for returning the propeller. These boxes are very sturdy and have a reduced shipping rate due to their uniform size. Make sure the parts are packed with sufficient packaging to prevent further damage during transit.
Step 5 - Shipping Documentation You will be required to generate a commercial invoice to travel with the propeller. If you are sending with a courier company, they will provide you with one of these. Please state the value of the propeller as a damaged item. This would generally be ~USD2000 or less.
Step 6 - Airmaster Assessment We will make a full assessment of the propeller then ask for your approval to carry out the work as we will describe. You will have the opportunity to discuss your options and make your choice of what upgrades you would like.
Step 7- Repair With the assessment confirmed, Airmaster will repair your propeller as requested. This part of the process takes ~2 weeks. Although the main components are held in stock, since each propeller is a unique combination of hub, blades, spinner etc, each propeller must be finally assembled to the specific customer requirements.
Step - 8 Invoice As the propeller nears completion, Airmaster will issue you with an invoice for payment. This may be made by international bank transfer or credit card. There will be instructions on how to do this printed on the invoice as shown.
Step - 9 Shipping Once funds are received, your propeller will be shipped by UPS courier to your door. This will take 2-5 days depending on your region. The delivery process can be tracked on the UPS web site. http://www.ups.com/tracking/tracking.html You should also receive automatically updates from UPS at the email address you provided on your order from.
Step - 10 Customs In some countries there may be additional fees to pay to the relevant authorities (local taxes or import duties). This can usually be arranged through UPS but you may wish to check your particular situation here. We will state on the invoice that travels with the propeller 'return' (after repair) and place a value on it that is equal to the repair cost. Sometimes your local customs will issue you with a clearance number when you export the propeller (to us). Make sure we know to state this number on the commercial invoice when we return it to minimize your tax liability.

Receive A Propeller

Interpret AC200 Indicators

Normal Operation

No Speed Signal

When you first power up the control system in Auto with the engine stopped, you should see the FINE led flashing orange.

This is normal and indicates there is no speed signal arriving from the propeller (because the engine is stopped)!.

This will only occur while the engine is stopped. If you get this indication while the engine is running, it could indicate a possible fault condition and should be investigated.

Once you start your engine you should see the FINE led flashing green.

This indicates controller is attempting to drive in the fine direction, but the propeller is already at the fine pitch stop.

You may see this indication many times when the throttle is only partially open. It shows the control system is working properly but that the current selection of speed and throttle do not allow for governing to the set speed.

When you are flying, you may see an occasional flick of orange on either the FINE or COARSE leds. This is the normal operation of the propeller making very fine adjustments to the propeller pitch to keep the engine speed constant.

If there is a large change in throttle setting or aircraft attitude (or you have selected a different engine rpm), one or other of the indicators may stay on for longer.

If you are in very calm air, with no change in throttle, you may see no indications. This is normal.

Fault Indications

Slip ring Brushes Worn Out

This is actually a general warning that there is an open circuit in the electrical system. The most likely reason for this is that the main slipring brushes are worn out.

If this occurs, check or replace the slipring brushes and clean the slipring.

If this does not cure the fault contact Airmaster for further advise.

During automatic operation, this indicates the controller is attempting to drive in the coarse direction, but the propeller is already at the coarse pitch stop.

This is most likely to occur if you are flying at a higher than normal altitude, at high power settings. It would be a clue that the coarse pitch stop is currently set too fine.

The coarse pitch stop is set at the factory to a nominal value, but it is expected that you will have to adjust this to your particular conditions. Please refer to the Operators Manual.

A solid red indicator in any of the circuits of FINE, COARSE or FEATHER is an indication that the propeller is drawing too much current.

If this occurs in AUTO operation, constant speed regulation will be suspended. The indicator can be cleared by switching to MAN.

If you need make a pitch adjustment for safety reasons, you can attempt to do so in manual, but it is advised that you investigate the problem properly before further automatic operation is attempted.

Order A Propeller

How to order an Airmaster Propeller Step 1 – Preliminary Enquiry Email or Call Airmaster propellers (or a registered reseller) and outline what aircraft and engine you have, and what you want to achieve be use of the propeller. We will let you know what options we can offer and what benefits you can expect.
Step 2 – Information Collection Provide your details for us to fill out an order request. Typically we will want to know your contact details, delivery details, aircraft and engine details and the type of propeller you have chosen. We have a form that can help in the collection of this information.
Step 3 – Order Generation Airmaster will take the information you have provided and make up an official order for you. This will lay out clearly all the details of what has been ordered, how much it will cost and where it will be delivered to. You will also be given an estimated shipping date.
Step 4 - Order Confirmation Once you have checked that the details on the order are correct (address etc), sign and fax the order confirmation back to Airmaster. Our fax number is +64 9 833 1796
Step - 5 Production With the order confirmed, Airmaster will create your propeller as requested. This part of the process takes ~2 weeks. Although the main components are held in stock, since each propeller is a unique combination of hub, blades, spinner etc, each propeller must be finally assembled to the specific customer requirements.
Step - 6 Invoice As the propeller nears completion, Airmaster will issue you with an invoice for payment. This may be made by international bank transfer. There will be instructions on how to do this printed on the invoice as shown.
Step - 7 Shipping Once funds are recieved, your propeller will be shipped by UPS courier to your door. This will take 2-5 days depending on your region. The delivery process can be tracked on the UPS web site. http://www.ups.com/tracking/tracking.html You should also recieve automatically updates from UPS at the email address you provided on your order from.
Step - 8 Recieving The delivery service used is a full service, so delivery has been arranged to your door. In some countries there may be additional fees to pay to the relevant authorities (local taxes or import duties). This can usually be arranged through UPS but you may wish to check your particular situation here.

Interpret Product Codes

Airmaster Product Codes

Airmaster propellers are described by a combination of letters and numbers which describe the configuration of that system or part.

Hub	APnnLLL	Hub descriptor
Blades	LLnnLL	Blade descriptor
Extension	Lnnn	Extension descriptor
Spinner	nn.nL	Spinner descriptor
Controller	ACnnnL	Controller descriptor
Electrical	nnnLL	Electrical loom descriptor

Example AP332CTF-WDT68R-R350R-10.3P-AC200F-2RM

Manufacturer	AP	Airmaster Propeller Hub
Series	3	60mm Ferrule ~40Hp per blade
Series	4	70mm Ferrule ~60HP per blade
No of Blades	2, 3	currently 2 and three port hubs are available
Version	0-9	Iterations of design within a series
Rotation	C, A	Clockwise or Anticlockwise
Orientation	T, P	Tractor or Pusher
Special Functions	F, R	Feather , Reverse

Example AP332CTF

Blades

Manufacturer | Manufacturer Code

Manufacturer	WD	Warpdrive
	SN	Sensenich
	KV	Kiev Props
Code Warpdrive	WD	N, T	Std Profile, Tapered Profile
		xx	Diameter in inches
		R, L	Right hand, Left hand
Code Sensenich	SN	R, L	Right hand, Left hand
		xx	Diameter in inches
		xx	Profile
Code Kiev	KV	R, L	Right hand, Left hand
		xx	Diameter in inches

Example WDT68R

Extension

Engine mount | Length

Engine Mount	R	Rotax 4in PCD, 13mm bush, 5/16 UNF bolt
	H	Hirth 100mm PCD, no bush, 8mm bolt
	C	Continental (SAE-1)
	L	Lycoming (SAE-2)
Length	xxx	Length in inches x.xxx

Example R3.75

Spinner

Diameter | Finish

Diameter	xx.x	Diameter in inches
Finish	P	Polished
	M	Matte (suitable for painting)
	W	Painted gloss white

Example 8.3M

Controller

Manufacturer | Series | Special function

Manufacturer	AC	Airmaster Controller
Series	xxx	200 is current series
Special Function	F	Feather
Special Function	R	Reverse

Example AC200F

Electrical

Loom | Slipring

Loom	x.x	Loom length (in metres) including brushblock section
Slipring	RS	Rotax standard
Slipring	RM	Rotax mini
	JS	Jabiru standard
	JE	Jabiru 2in extension

Example 2.0RS

Package Dimensions and Weights

The propeller system is packaged in two sturdy boxes.

Box A measures 21.2 x 17.7 x 13.8 in (54 x 45 x 35 cm), and weighs ~ 24lb (11kg) [40lb (18kg) volumetric].

Box B measures 40 x 10 x 6 in (100 x 25 x 15 cm), and weighs ~ 16 lb (7.5kg).

Actual weights will vary depending on propeller type and options included.

Box A Hub and spinner

The hub and spinner are assembled and securely mounted to a base plate.

This plate is held in postion within the outer box to protect the spinner and hub from any possible intrusion or damage.

It is recommeded that this packaging be saved and re-used any time the propeller is transported off the aircraft.

Box A Control system and hardware.

Neatly stacked on top of the spacers surrounding the hub and spinner, is a tray containing the remaining control and hardware parts.

Each group is contained in a protective bubble bag.

Underneath the electrical parts (on the right) is the manual, log book, packing slips and any other documentation.

Box B Blade assemblies

The blade assemblies are individually wrapped in protective card rings and bubble sheet, then securely packed in the blade box.

Inventory

Your Airmaster propeller has be carefully tested and packed proir to shipping.

We suggest you take the time to familiarise yourself with the parts when they arrive, and check each one against the supplied packing slip.

If you are not sure of the parts identification, or have any concerns about the inclusion or condition of parts supplied, please contact us immediately so we can assist.