Hi All,

I had a couple of questions regarding wooden props, that I was having a hard time finding answers to. Hoping some of you may be able to help me out. Can airplanes with wooden props be stored outside without any weathering effects? Are there precautions that should be taken such as a prop covering?

I'd imagine that if an airplane with a wooden prop were to be stored outside, the prop may begin to lose it's integrity. Such as leaving it exposed in a dry environment may dryout the wood or if left in a rainy environment some of the water may begin to seep into the wood? I have no experience with wooden props, so I'm just looking for some advice here. I could see the use of a prop cover being very useful in this situation, is this pretty much the norm for this scenario? Are there any other steps that should be taken in order to keep a wooden prop from weathering effects?

Thanks,

Comp

The one thing I was taught is to leave a wooden prop horizontal. If left vertical moisture could collect in the lower blade and create an out of balance condition. However that was long before the new, more impervious coatings now in use.

Check with Culver Props in Rolla, Missouri. There are many wooden props still being used on light airplanes around here. I grew up around wooden props at a time when many were not hangered in the very wet Ozarks. Some looked pretty rough but I never saw one delaminated,