RV-12 and RV-12iS Service Publication Updates dated October 6 2020

[subpar_bucker]

I'm also interested in finding a shop that will perform this service for my -12 once I am done building. If anyone has any recommendations for places in the north eastern US I would appreciate hearing about them.

Googling did yield this article: https://www.kitplanes.com/balancing-act/ which shows how to perform this on a -12.

[greghughespdx]

Originally Posted by rcarsey

Yes, I absolutely agree that balancing is worth the effort.. for comfort and for engine life.. and I did plan on flying out somewhere to do it after Phase I. Just trying to get through the DAR process without getting jammed up on anything.

Definitely understood. Check your PMs - thanks.

[greghughespdx]

Everyone - Anticipate an update from us in the next couple/few days on the prop balancing requirement topic. We will post updates here.

Thx

greg

[Piper J3]

"Stand Back and Stand By"... Proud RV-12 Owners

[RFSchaller]

Not sure why you need to remove the blade. If the nuts don’t budge I call it good. A couple of annuals the nuts moved and I had to pull the blades to access the bolt heads, but usually the thunder gods smile upon me.

[Piper J3]

I’ve been thinking about this…. What if I have an accident with my airplane and my insurance company disallows a claim because of non-compliance with Service Letter or Service Bulletin?

I can see a lawyer’s argument going like this… “It says right here that Van’s Aircraft recommends removing the propellor every twelve months for inspection and they also recommend dynamically balancing the propellor every time it is disassembled. The logbooks show that the airplane owner/builder decided against Van’s Aircraft recommendation and did not dynamic balance his propellor every year”.

Can you imagine what a peer group of twelve individuals what conclude? In a legal proceeding, I doubt if there would be any distinction between Service Letter and Service Bulletin. In either case, the aircraft designer is recommending a maintenance inspection for continued airworthiness. The lawyer would probably make the case that the owner is acting as an A&P mechanic and has no formal training to do so. Airplanes crash and juries are sympathetic. Throw in the word “Experimental” and all bets are off.

Words have meaning – PILOT’S LIVES MATTER.

[hiline]

Jim's words are correct here, I'm not sure where this is going but to have wording about balancing a prop as a S/B is a touchy at the very least.
I've done my prop balancing several times, and so far my balance master has worked the best so I actually always have a balanced prop no matter what I do or touch on it.

[bobg56]

What I don't understand is a good many RV12's have been flying for 10 years plus, why is this now required? As I see it "Letters" are a recommendation and not mandatory. Also there seems to be a SB or SD that comes out after a few months like the NLG replacement which I believe was due to one incident. What has happened to cause the need for Prop balancing? This stuff seems to be never ending...

[pilotyoung]

Jim,

I just don't see an insurance company denying a claim because a service bulletin was not done. If the aircraft is E-LSA, service bulletins are not required. The other side of the argument is if the manufacturer thought it was required, they would have issued a safety alert which is required.

[Piper J3]

Originally Posted by pilotyoung

Jim,

I just don't see an insurance company denying a claim because a service bulletin was not done. If the aircraft is E-LSA, service bulletins are not required. The other side of the argument is if the manufacturer thought it was required, they would have issued a safety alert which is required.

I have completed all SB's to-date but I have no intention of disassembling the prop and dynamic balancing every twelve months...