Hmmmm....
I generally don't read stuff that has an applicability back in the early 90's, since the prop and engine on the Val were new in 2005, but then I realized that we also have a 19-year-old RV-6 in the hangar! So I went and read through the AD and had the following thoughts:
1) This is actually a modification to an existing AD (adds applicability)
2) It applies to older hubs
hen I remembered that when I was building, there used to be LOTS of talk about the older Hartzell hubs having an AD, and the light bulb went off ....I am guessing that this one is nothing new! I went and dug out Louise's prop logbook, and sure enough, the prop that was installed on Mikey brand new in 1993 is not applicable by serial number.
It did get me thinking though....why don't we see lots more postings about the old AD anymore? it used to be a hot topic of conversation among RV builders in the early days of on-line groups and forums?
I'm guessing here...but I wonder if, in the early days of people putting C/S props on RV's, there were a lot of used props being installed - removed from certified airplanes by prop shops, and sold at good prices (possibly because of the AD?). This old AD might have been what makes some people talk bad about the Hartzells to this day, even though thousands are flying in RV's with no repetitive inspections - because they were produced in more recent years (like within the past 15 years), and the AD doesn't apply. Again, I am guessing here, but you just don't read about as many people buying used props these days for their new airplanes - maybe because of the good price you can get through Van's?
All speculation of course, but I have found the late-model Hartzell's to be extremely reliable and trouble free. Glad both of ours are in that category!
Paul
