On Apr 17, 8:39 pm, WingFlaps wrote:
On Apr 18, 9:20 am, Andrew Sarangan wrote:

Even if the airplane is perfectly airworthy, and all maintenance done
properly, you don't know if the engine is producing 160HP (or whatever
the rated power for your airplane). There is no signature in the
logbook that certifies that the airplane engine has been tested and
found to produce the specified power. I have flown rentals that flew
like a 120HP Cessna instead of a 160 HP. RPM can't tell you the true
power because every airplane uses a different pitch prop.

Well if the renter is slappin' on any old prop then you should not go
there. How does a 120 HP 172 reach cruise airspeed at cruise RPM?

Cheers

You can't just slap on any old propeller, legally. The Type
Certificate Data Sheet for any particular models lists the props that
may be used, and any other prop would require an STC. The TCDS also
gives the maximum and minimum static RPM for each model of propeller,
and if the engine can's get into that range it's either sick or the
prop's a dud. We do a full-power static runup on practically every
inspection. Take three seconds.
TCDS's are on the FAA's website.

Dan