I have been flying my RV-8 for three years and the 650-hour prop inspection was due. Last Tuesday I took off at dawn
and flew to Austinburg, Ohio, home of Whirlwind Aviation and witnessed the inspection from start to finish. I was back home in North
Carolina just as the sun was setting. I saved the $160 shipping fee and it cost me less than $100 in fuel to make the 5-hour round trip.
The inspection costs $500 and after seeing all the work that goes into it, about 15 man-hours, I consider it a bargain.
I wouldn't try this (the inspection) at home, but the experience sure gave me an insight into what makes this prop work.

I regularly outrun 200 HP RV-8's with my 180 HP mount and I attribute that advantage to the Whirlwind 200RV propeller. It is a marvel
of engineering and the service provided by Greg Anderson and Paul Kershaw at the prop shop is unmatched. Thanks, guys!

Below is a link to a web album of 42 pictures and captions that describe the inspection process:

http://picasaweb. google.com/ ronschreck/ WhirlwindInspect ion?feat= directlink#