REFLECTOR: Putting a positive spinner on an MT

[Andy Millin]

Mike,

 

Thanks for sharing your experience.  It is good to hear from the happy
campers too.

 

No doubt about Scott Baker, Ken Mishler, and Rene Dugas.

 

I don't recall your incident though.  What happened that damaged your prop
blade?

 

Andy

 

 

 

From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On
Behalf Of Mike Wilson
Sent: 04-27-2009 5:08
To: reflector at tvbf.org
Subject: REFLECTOR: A Positive Spin on MT Props -- from Mike Wilson Velo
XL-RG

 

I really feel this reflector is a great resource for builders and owners;
however, seems a sampling of the more recent postings have a tendency to
spin toward the negative. Just thought I might share a recent experience
with the MT Propeller company which ended very positively! 

 

You may recall my XL was involved in a prop strike a few months ago and my
MT was damaged on a single blade. The prop was 9 years old but only had
about 100 hours of total time. I was conflicted as to my options for repair
of the blade due to these options being somewhat limited. Further
conflicting my situation was the fact of the drastic differential in cost
between the available options.

 

My bird is the XL-RG and is equipped with a Lycoming IO-540. What follows is
a brief description of helpful reflectorites and their suggestions.

 

Thanks to Craig whose thoughtful suggestion was to follow the lead he
established from circumstances of a similar nature with the same prop. I
came very close to sending the single blade off to another prop builder for
repair and then rebuild the MT myself. Due to my MT being out of
TBO(realizing of course that I wasn't forced to follow this standard) and
(not certain the rebuilt blade would be in balance limits with the original
two) this option left me a bit nervous. This choice would have saved a
substantial amount of money and had great merit. 

 

Thanks to Dr. Rene for his amazing reflection of how much he likes his
aerocomposite. If my damaged MT would have been of any real value in
unrepaired state I would have sold the MT and bought a new AC prop. Problem
was the 6 months lead time coming right in the middle of my first season of
prime flying weather. My personal research suggests this is an excellent
propeller and would be my personal choice as I love unimproved runways. We
should be thankful and proud to have the folks at MT and AC for even
providing such excellent equipment to such a small group.

 

Thanks to Ken Mischler for his advice and personal contact to Jurgen at MT.
You MT owners on this reflector may not realize the value of guys like Ken
but take it from me; this guy really cares about our birds and strives to
keep great working relationships with all manufacturers and suppliers we so
dearly need. My first couple of calls down to MT were received by the lovely
and friendly Sarah but weren't exactly returned in what I would consider a
timely fashion. These staff with MT are real professionals and should be
admired if not respected for the product they produce on our behalf. All
constant speed pusher drivers should remember we have very few options in
this realm and we would all be better served to work through difficult
situations with diplomacy rather than doing our level best to alienate those
who we dearly need. I understand clearly how frustrating it could be to need
an $800.00 dollar repair only to be told the required repair bill would be 5
times this amount due to a factory policy requiring overhaul due to
certified TBO limits having been exhausted on a prop which had barely tasted
thin air.

 

In case you haven't figured it out I decided to rely on the Wisdom of my
high time ATP buddy Dave, Scott B. at Velocity and Ken Mischler; all of whom
have been absolutely instrumental in helping me to find a solution to this
personal debacle. I sent my prop to MT and was promised a complete repair
and overhaul (including all 3 blades being returned to Germany for rebuild
and balancing) for the quoted fee and within the promised time of 6 short
weeks. I couldn't be any happier with the folks in De Land. 

 

Now I know there are those out there who have not shared in my joy with this
company. Maybe your circumstances were similar or totally different? My
point is only this ... MT propeller is one of only two really viable for
Lycoming IO-540 engines with drivers who desire the take off, landing and
flight characteristics which only a CS prop can deliver. My problem was
handled as promised for the amount agreed upon and in a very professional if
not friendly manner. 

 

My thanks to this list and all of Velocity owners and operators who make
this situation much more fun than just buying any old certificated GA bird.

 

Mike

Arkansas

 

 

 

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