23/09/2026
Quick question for anyone who flies an aircraft with a variable-pitch propeller and keeps it outside.
Have you got a propeller cover on it?
Not judging at all - most people haven't, because it doesn't occur to them that they need one. It didn't occur to a couple of our customers recently, both experienced pilots who look after their aircraft carefully. They came up to Yorkshire to collect a new cockpit and cowling cover for their Socata TB20. We had the chat about propeller covers while they were here. Decided against it on the day. Completely understandable.
On the way home, the propeller stuck in coarse pitch on the descent. They got down safely, but when the maintenance company stripped the propeller, they found the internal mechanism corroded solid. Moisture had been getting in for long enough to seize the whole assembly.
From the outside, the propeller looked absolutely perfect.
No warning. Nothing to see. Just a mechanism quietly failing until the moment it mattered.
They ordered their propeller cover while the propeller was being rebuilt. It arrived before the aircraft flew again.
Variable-pitch propellers have moving parts in a wet, exposed environment. Outside aircraft, especially in the UK, deal with a lot of moisture. It's the kind of thing that doesn't announce itself until it has to.
So - does your aircraft have a propeller cover? And if not, is it something you've thought about, or something that just hasn't crossed your mind yet?
We'd genuinely love to hear from people. Drop a comment below, or if you'd like to know more about propeller covers for your type, we're at cambraicovers.com or on the phone any day of the week - +44 (0)1377 267426.
