Hoffman prop overhaul?

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soarer20
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Hoffman prop overhaul?

Post by soarer20 »

My Katana will require a prop overhaul next year. Its only flown about 300 hrs since the last overhaul.

Any recommendations for authorized Hoffman propeller shops? The previous owner used Hope Aero.

Overhaul cost?

Nick
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gtmize
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Re: Hoffman prop overhaul?

Post by gtmize »

I'm curious .. is this scheduled or are you experiencing problems
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Re: Hoffman prop overhaul?

Post by soarer20 »

The Diamond maintenance manual has a tbo on the Hoffman prop of 600 hrs or 6 years.

Is there a overhaul time for the wood prop on the C1?

Because it’s certified airplane I don’t think there is any way around it.
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krellis
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Re: Hoffman prop overhaul?

Post by krellis »

You might want to download the latest version of the DA20 maintenance manual.

As I recall from our previous ownership of an A1 Katana, there were a couple of time limited components listed in Chapter 4 (Airworthiness Limitations) and a larger number of components listed in Chapter 5 (Time Limits and Maintenance Checks).

If operated under Part 91 for non-commercial use, only Chapter 4 time limits apply. You can choose to follow Chapter 5, but it's not required.
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Re: Hoffman prop overhaul?

Post by soarer20 »

Thanks for posting Krea!

I rechecked the maintenance manual and the Hoffman manual. I’m not noticing where it says the TBO is only mandatory for part 91.

Are TBO’s mandatory for private operators?

What about the Hoffman propeller manual?

My airplane is in for its annual and I’m replacing all the hoses as per the diamond and rotax list, so is that not mandatory?
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krellis
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Re: Hoffman prop overhaul?

Post by krellis »

As far as I know (and our IA agreed) - it’s not listed in Chapter 4 as an airworthiness limitation, it is not a required time limited replacement component for Part 91 non-commercial operators. Chapter 4 items are mandatory.

Here is an article on TBO from AOPA - https://pilot-protection-services.aopa ... or-not-tbo
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Re: Hoffman prop overhaul?

Post by N856DF »

Greetings!

Our prop had a failure on run-up (slow cycle when advancing the prop control lever). This condition is adddressed in an SB from November of 2019, and requires a change of the internal hub spring and piston. When we looked for a prop shop we found Aviation Propeller, Inc. of Opa-Locka, Florida. They said they were the last/only certified Hoffmann Propeller service center in the US.

Our fix/SB compliance is ~$700, and an overhaul is just under $4,100. The overhaul does require new blades (factory mandate, I believe), so there's that. I thought the tech said the overhaul interval was 2,000 hours(!)/72 months, whichever comes first. Whether I misunderstood, 2,000 hours is for a later model prop, etc., I'm not sure. But if you call them you may want to verify.

Thanks, and fly safely!

Keoki Gray--Instructor, FBHS
DA20-A1, N856DF (nee N853DF)
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Re: Hoffman prop overhaul?

Post by paulwebb50 »

Whatever you do, don't send anything to Hoffman in Germany. I've a DA20 in the UK and always had my prop serviced by Skycraft in Cambridge (excellent outfit), but when Hoffman in Germany lost their European approval for maintenance (don't know why) they stopped providing spares to any of the approved maintenance organisations.

So when my prop came up for overhaul recently, my only choice was to buy a new one (said the man from Hoffman) at £6k plus shipping to/from Germany!

Sadly, this was only the start of my Hoffman nightmare....they offered a discount for a trade-in on my old prop, and they then couldn't do the work anyway as they had no parts, and then refused to give me my propeller back (apparently customs is complex since Brexit or some such b/s).

So now I'm searching for another propeller to get my Diamond back in the air,m and Hoffman have nicked my propeller!
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Re: Hoffman prop overhaul?

Post by soarer20 »

Why don’t they have parts to build you a new prop?

You should contact Rotech and Lockwood aero and ask what constant speed props go on a 912. Per Krea Ellis and others we are allowed to improvise if the genuine part is not available.
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Re: Hoffman prop overhaul?

Post by Alex »

Has anyone actually done this, legally installed a different prop on a DA20-A1?
There are two of us in California in the same boat. I've been waiting over 6 months for what used to be a 2-week resurfacing.
Al GIbbs
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