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Old 6th Nov 2006, 00:17
  #40 (permalink)  
M.25
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: desert somewhere
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In the best interests of your propeller….

When operating on a gravel/loose surface always try to keep moving with minimum power - ESPECIALLY with a tailwind. Try to make all turns into wind - again using minimum power. Try to avoid stationary runups - ESPECIALLY with a tailwind. Try to maneuver your aircraft so that you will be starting into wind.

A while ago I observed a light twin turn to line up through a tailwind on a gravel runway. The whole aircraft literally disappeared in a cloud of dust as the wind came through the rear quadrant. A little bit of situational awareness goes a LONG way with regard to prop care.

IMO it is good airmanship to employ these techniques on any runway, sealed or un-sealed. You might get away without giving much thought to it, but it doesn’t look very professional and I wouldn’t want to be the poor bloke who has to pay for the prop overhauls!
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