HARTZELL PROPELLER INC.

SERVICE LETTER
TRANSMITTAL SHEET
HC-SL-61-185

Tachometers

April 1, 2004

This page transmits Revision 1 to Service Letter HC-SL-61-185.

• Original Issue, dated April 12/99

• Revision 1, dated April 01/04

FAA approval has been obtained on technical data in this publication that affects type design.

Changes are shown by a change bar in the left margin of the revised pages.

Some of these changes which do not affect technical content may not be highlighted
in this transmittal sheet.

This revision is issued to change the following:

- This revision states that the Vu-Thru II Tachometer is no longer available from
Hartzell.
- This revision adds specifications for tachometers.

This Service Letter is reissued in its entirety.

 HARTZELL PROPELLER INC.
SERVICE LETTER
HC-SL-61-185
Tachometers

1. Planning Information
A. Effectivity
All Hartzell Single-Acting propellers are affected by this Service Letter.
B. Concurrent Requirements
None
C. Reason
(1) To alert operators/maintenance personnel to possible tachometer error in aircraft.
(2) This Service Letter introduces a tachometer calibration tool which is available
from Hartzell.
D. Description
There is a possibility of engine and propeller damage that may result from an
inaccurate tachometer.
E. Compliance
(1) Compliance with this Service Letter shall take place at the next scheduled aircraft
maintenance check.
(2) Hartzell recommends a tachometer accuracy check every 100 hours or at the
annual inspection.
F. Approval
FAA approval has been obtained on all technical data that affects type design.
G. References
None.
H. Other Publications Affected
Hartzell Service Advisory SA 5 (obsoleted by this Service Letter)
Hartzell Owner's Manual and Log Book 106
Hartzell Owner's Manual 115N (61-00-15)
Hartzell Owner's Manual 140
Hartzell Tool and Equipment Manual 165A (61-00-65)
Hartzell Owner's Manual 167 (61-00-67)
Hartzell Owner's Manual 168 (61-00-68)
Hartzell Owner's Manual 169 (61-00-69)
Hartzell Owner's Manual 174 (61-00-74)

April 12/99 HC-SL-61-185

Revision 1, dated April 01/04 Page 1 of 2
 HARTZELL PROPELLER INC.
SERVICE LETTER
HC-SL-61-185
Tachometers

2. Material Information
A. All engine propeller combinations possess certain frequencies (RPM) at which the
propeller blade stresses begin to reach design limits. In most cases, these frequencies
exist above the maximum rated RPM of the engine. Some engine/propeller
combinations have certain ranges of RPM where stresses are at a level considered
too high for continuous operation at less than maximum engine speed. This results in a
“placarded range” where continuous operation is not permitted. In other cases, the
maximum allowable stresses occur at an RPM only slightly above the maximum engine
RPM. For these reasons it is extremely important to accurately monitor engine speed.
B. Research has exposed the possibility of unusually large amounts of error in the engine
tachometers, particulary mechanical tachometers. Some tachometers have been found
to be off by up to 200 RPM. Operating the aircraft with an inaccurate tachometer could
result in continued operation in a placarded range of intolerably high stresses, including
that of repeatedly exceeding the maximum engine RPM. This subjects the propeller to a
high amplitude frequency which results in high stresses. These higher than design
stresses shorten the life of the propeller, and could result in a catastrophic failure.
C. The Vu-Thru II Tachometer, (C-4670) is no longer available from Hartzell. Existing units
may continue to be used.
D. Hartzell recommends calibrating the aircraft using a calibrated hand tachometer that is
accurate within +/- 10 RPM.

April 12/99 HC-SL-61-185

Revision 1, dated April 01/04 Page 2 of 2