Posted by JamesB on Sunday, March 28, 2010 @ 04:01 PM:
Next summer my 3 position Hoffman HO-V62 R prop reaches the factory recommended End of Life (10 years).
At this point, I'm expecting to send the prop & hub in for an end of life service -- which should involve replacing the blades & rebuilding the hub.
I thought I would get some estimates this year, to start saving for next year.
Hoffmann in Germany lists 2 service stations in the U.S.:
American Propeller Service
20208 Charlanne Drive
Redding, CA 96002
Fon: 530 221 4470
Aviation Propellers Inc.
12970 Port Said Road
Opa Locka, Fl 33054
Fon: 305 688 9439
My prop has been previously serviced by:
Aero Propeller & Accessories
9616 Jeffco Airport Ave, Hangar 44
Broomfield, CO 80021
303-469-1749
This shop did the last end of life service on this prop/hub.
Does anyone know of any other sources I should check with regarding the end of life service?
Thanks,
James
[Edit by JamesB on Sunday, March 28, 2010 @ 04:01 PM]
Posted by SteveBeaver on Sunday, March 28, 2010 @ 04:45 PM:
I once sent an MT prop from an Su29 to Aviation Propellers for overhaul, which included refinishing (repainting) the blades. I asked them to paint the blades black, not white.
They charged me over $300 PER BLADE extra for the color change. - Needless to say, I didn't pay that bill.
Steve
Posted by Jorgen on Sunday, March 28, 2010 @ 06:07 PM:
Thanks for the heads up Steve,
the internet has become a great way for consumers to unite and make sure bad behaviour from companies does not get by unnoticed.
Have you checked out this?
http://www.davecarrollmusic.com/ubg/song1/
Just got back from a trip to the US (not United though) so I can somewhat relate to this guys story.
May the 4's be with you/ Jörgen
Posted by jb92563 on Monday, March 29, 2010 @ 10:51 AM:
I sent the Hoffman (V62) for my Grob to APS . It had a 1 delaminated blade and the old prop hub.
My plane came with a different prop and the Hoffman that came with it had no log book.
It needed the Hub upgraded and the blades refinished and/or replaced.
In the end, APS of Redding, CA had to send everything to Hoffman in Germany.
APS said that Hoffman needed to do the blade & hub work because it was more than they are authorized to do.
It cost me 1,200 in shipping !!!! and $4,400 for the repair/replacement/upgrade.
I think the new cost was about ~$8,000
My advise would be to send everything direct to Hoffman in Germany and avoid the middle man's costs and to help control your shipping costs.
It came back as a 0 total time prop.
--------------------
Posted by JamesB on Thursday, April 8, 2010 @ 12:59 PM:
I checked with American Prop. Svcs in California today.
They noted that the End of Life is a servicing....not a prop replacement. It is a manufacturer's recommended TBO. Part 91 doesn't have to follow this unless the aircraft manual/airworthiness cert demands that all TBO's be complied with to be in Annual.
$3,500 is the (current) standard rate for parts and labor. This allows for basic seals, reconditioning of the props, etc. It does not include any "hard parts" including prop leading edge, hub components, etc. They pointed to corrosion as a signficant concern.
To try to get a frame of reference, I asked how much a simple hub servicing (replacement of seals, etc.) would cost. They estimated $2,000.
I had this done by a shop in Colorado a couple of years ago. They charged about $700. Unfortunately, they found dealing with Hoffmann to be so challenging and the amount of Hoffmann revenue so low, they no longer service Hoffmann props or hubs.
