No more adjustable prop?
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 4:02 pm
by SvingenB
Have Sonex stopped selling the adjustable props? Cant find it on their web page for some reason.
Re: No more adjustable prop?
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 6:18 pm
by Brett
I hope not as I have just bought one. Last time this happened all traces of the prop seem to disappear off the web with no real explanation. Then it reappeared 2 yrs or so later saying all problems have been fixed.
Re: No more adjustable prop?
Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2014 7:16 am
by Brett
Seems it’s missing from the Sensenich website as well… getting a bad feeling now.
Re: No more adjustable prop?
Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2014 7:50 am
by fastj22
The Viking guys were having some issues with the prop hub. I wonder if it’s related.
Re: No more adjustable prop?
Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2014 2:54 pm
by petep
Don’t know if it has any bearing on the prop disapearring form the web site but it is a common rumor that one of the delays in the turbo program was that the test airplane lost a prop blade and had an off airport landing. Can’t verify any of this but it has been going around.
Re: No more adjustable prop?
Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2014 3:11 pm
by sonex1649
was just a builders school the turbo engine was fine its on the sport acro with a fixed prop
Re: No more adjustable prop?
Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2014 7:26 pm
by fastj22
petep wrote:Don’t know if it has any bearing on the prop disapearring form the web site but it is a common rumor that one of the delays in the turbo program was that the test airplane lost a prop blade and had an off airport landing. Can’t verify any of this but it has been going around.
That is a true story. happened back in late 2010 I think. Confirmed by a Sonex employee at a builders event in 2011.
Re: No more adjustable prop?
Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2014 7:31 pm
by Brett
I guess that would be the reasoning behind the first time it was withdrawn from sales but what about this time?
Re: No more adjustable prop?
Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2014 7:38 pm
by fastj22
I’ve been following the Viking developments and they found the prop hub wouldn’t hold the blades properly. Their solution was to up drill the bolts holding the hub together and up the torque. Now that’s the Viking version, not the Aerovee version. But they are similar.
I did contact Sensonich a while ago to see if they had a Jab3300 adjustable version for the Sonex. They carry longer ones but not a 54 inch one and no intention of offering one.
Re: No more adjustable prop?
Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 8:05 pm
by N541X
I just checked the Sonex site and also found no listing of the ground adjustable prop. I ordered that prop from Sonex in 2013 anticipating I would only need to buy one prop if I upgraded to the now available turbo. I asked at the Airventure 2014 open house announcment of the turbo availability if the ground adjustable prop could be used with the turbo setup. Jeremey replied “not at this time”. Don’t know what that means exactly, but I have not received any notice from Sonex to stop using the “new” ground adjustable, but I do wonder why they stopped selling it and why it won’t work with the turbo. The prop manufacturer lit says the prop is useable up to 100hp, which is about what the turbo is rated for. Hopefully answers of why the prop was discontinued and why not suitable for the turbo will be forthcoming. :roll:
Re: No more adjustable prop?
Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 10:34 pm
by MichaelFarley56
This is completly my opinion but I’d still be nervous with the additional weight of the adjustable prop and hub. Plus, if people are having issues with the adjustable pitch prop (Sonex included if it’s true one failed in flight), I personally wouldn’t consider it for my engine. Too many questions and concerns.
Re: No more adjustable prop?
Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 10:47 pm
by fastj22
Viking just posted on their forum that one of their demo planes sat out in the rain at AirVenture and when they started it to leave, it shook badly. Turned out one of the blades had water in it.
Re: No more adjustable prop?
Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2014 6:31 pm
by N541X
wonder how Viking got water in the prop. If they are hollow core blades, they would need a breather hole somewhere, or maybe they had a delam on the blade halves? Were the blades stowed hor or vert? My guess would be hor to keep folks from bumping into them.
Re: No more adjustable prop?
Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2014 11:59 pm
by mike.smith
MichaelFarley56 wrote:This is completly my opinion but I’d still be nervous with the additional weight of the adjustable prop and hub. Plus, if people are having issues with the adjustable pitch prop (Sonex included if it’s true one failed in flight), I personally wouldn’t consider it for my engine. Too many questions and concerns.
The adjustable pitch prop weighs the same as a wood prop on a Sonex, so weight isn’t an issue.
Mike Smith
Sonex #439
Re: No more adjustable prop?
Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2014 12:00 am
by mike.smith
N541X wrote:wonder how Viking got water in the prop. If they are hollow core blades, they would need a breather hole somewhere, or maybe they had a delam on the blade halves? Were the blades stowed hor or vert? My guess would be hor to keep folks from bumping into them.
I have the prop, and the blades are hollow. But I’ve not seen a breather hole anywhere. I only have 10 hours on the prop, but no issues.
Mike Smith
#439