PIREP: Sensenich composite ground-adjustable propeller
I was at the factory in Yakima last week to have the throttle cable mod done. While there I had conversations with Jim, Becky, Pete and Stan about switching from the original wood prop to the Sensenich composite. They talked me into it, and they just happened to have one in stock.
The verdict: WOW!!!
I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen the difference myself.
On my way from home to Yakima Thursday morning, with the original wood prop, I took a photo of my panel. I was set up in cruise at 7,500', 50 deg. F OAT, and 2630 rpm. Indicated airspeed was 86 mph, and the Garmin 496 showed true airspeed of 85 KNOTS.
The next morning with the new prop, I set up in cruise again at 7,500', 52 deg. F OAT, and 2600 rpm, and took another panel photo. This time the indicated airspeed was 95 mph, and TAS as calculated by the Garmin 496 was 95 KNOTS -- an increase of 10 knots TAS on 30 less rpm. I'll take that!
An unexpected benefit was the noticeably reduced vibration compared to the wood prop. The long trip this weekend (from Yakima to Mackay Bar ID, to Minam River Ranch OR, to Vancouver WA) was much smoother and more comfortable than it woul have been with the wood prop. Over that nine hours of flying, mostly around 2500-2600 rpm, fuel consumption averaged 5.8 gph. That extra speed was a great help on the westward trip home against a 20+ knot headwind.
I'm very happy with the new prop.
Side note: The factory also swapped out the original oil cooler plenum for the new, larger plenum. Pete said it should reduce oil temps by ten degrees, and it did exactly that. Nice!
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Originally Posted by Pokette
