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3 blade ground adjustable Sensenish carbon fibre blade

Stewbronco

Well Known Member
Hi .... slight problem with current prop choice ....looking for real world experience with Sensenich 3 blade ground adjustable.....mine will be RV4 WITH 0-360. Thanks. Stew. [email protected]
 
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I don't match the request (two blade Sensenich GA with 160hp O-320) but am super impressed and happy with the prop (after nearly two years and 200+ hours). Previously had a Catto.

If you need options, the Sensenich GA is difficult to beat (no doubt that constant speed is the best answer, ignoring cost/complexity). By this I mean the ability to change the pitch on occasion. For me, this is flying in the backcountry or at very high DA. Cruise pitch for the six hour flight across the USA, fine pitch operating in the backcountry, and back to cruise pitch for return home. Pitch adjustments are super easy/quick/accurate with the Sensenich pin system.
 
I also don’t match your setup request exactly, but echo the satisfaction the previous poster has with his 2-blade Sensenich carbon prop. I have an RV4 with an O-360-A1A. I am very pleased with this selection. In talking with Don Rowell at Sensenich, he told me I wouldn’t notice any appreciable performance differences of a 3-blade vs 2-blade prop. It does look better though while sitting on the ground with the engine stopped (my opinion).
 
The only major difference between the two bladed and the three bladed prop is there is always a blade in the way during maintenance. Other than that it is quieter, better ground clearance and looks cool.
 
Hey Stew, I happen to almost match (O-320 RV-4) your request! I just recently replaced my 3 blade Catto with a 3 blade ground adjustable Sensenich and can't be happier! I swear it's quieter and smoother than the Catto, which I wasn't expecting. I tested it back to back with the Catto at max cruise pitch (7 pin) and tested it again today at slightly less pitch (6 pin) and am very impressed. The best part is repitching without shipping a 6 foot diameter box across the country.

I'm going to make a stand-alone post in the next few days with full details, but here are the numbers for quick review.

Static RPM:
Catto 3B: 2180, 29.0"hg
Sens #7: 2070, 28.8"hg
Sens #6: 2090, 29.1"hg


(RPM/KIAS/KTAS/"HG)
8000' pressure altitude:
Catto 3B: 2770/147KIAS/172KTAS/21.7....2400/125KIAS/145KTAS/18.5
Sens.#6: 2690/147KIAS/170KTAS/21.8...2400/128KIAS/150KTAS/19.0
Sens.#7: 2610/146KIAS/170KTAS/21.8...2400/131KIAS/154KTAS/19.9

6000' pressure altitude
Catto 6k: 2800/155KIAS/174KTAS/23.4....2400/128KIAS/146KTAS/20.0
Sens.#6: 2730/153KIAS/173KTAS/23.4...2400/133KIAS/150KTAS/20.3
Sens.#7: 2610/150KIAS/168KTAS/23.5...2400/138KIAS/156KTAS/20.5

I think at #5 pitch pin I'll probably get near the Catto RPM and do a knot or two faster than the Catto, but honestly I'll probably go back to #7 for cross country flying and use #4-5 pitch for KC Flight airshows (so I'm not whining as much for lead to "gimme one") or backcountry flying. I don't think you can go wrong with this prop.

Fitz
RV-4 - 160HP O-320 - Sensenich GA
KC Flight Formation Team
 
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Many thanks

Many thanks to all .....going to make call on Tuesday to Sensenich rep and discuss .......any max RPM restrictions? I take it Aerobatics are ok ? Must get some data on weight comparison ...... cheers. Stew
 
It's rated to 2800, and spec'd at 19lbs. I'm not sure if that's mounting bolts and all. One thing I didn't consider is from the wooden or wood core Catto Prop to this one is that you loose the crush plate on the front of the prop. Haven't weighed it yet but that's an additional weight reduction of a couple pounds I'd guess. Need to get out to the airport and weigh them side by side.

Fitz
 
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