Prop advice needed.
Posted: Sun Sep 26, 2021 8:46 pm
by zzdeck
Have an Aerovee turbo on a legacy Sonex. Who should I buy the prop from, and should it be a climb or a cruise prop.
Thanks in advance for the help.
Re: Prop advice needed.
Posted: Mon Sep 27, 2021 10:53 am
by GraemeSmith
Prince Carbon P tip is an option.
Use the ordering wizard on this page for a recommended prop.
http://www.princeaircraft.com/PriceOrder.aspx
Be aware typical production time is 6 months…
–
Sensenich is another option but I have no experience with their prop for the AeroVee
Re: Prop advice needed.
Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2021 12:26 am
by gammaxy
Here’s Sonex’s recommendations from Sensenich:
https://www.sonexaircraft.com/propeller-options/
Prince propellers are great, but you’ll have to find someone flying with one to vouch for its performance and dimensions.
Re: Prop advice needed.
Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2021 9:46 am
by Scott Todd
If you haven’t been to Sonex, there are propellers mounted on the walls EVERYWHERE. John said they were all tested on AeroVee’s. He recommends the Sensenich. The lengths are obviously the same but the pitch can be different between manufacturers.
Re: Prop advice needed.
Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2021 11:12 am
by zzdeck
Thanks for the manufacturer advice! Now what are y’all running, cruise or climb props
Re: Prop advice needed.
Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2021 2:07 pm
by GraemeSmith
zzdeck wrote:Thanks for the manufacturer advice! Now what are y’all running, cruise or climb props
Prince Wood Carbon P-Tip 54” diameter x 44” pitch gets me AeroVee recommended 3,100 RPM static at a standard day. It’s not a “climb” or a “cruise” - it’s what it is. 
Re: Prop advice needed.
Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2021 2:30 pm
by gammaxy
I believe zzdeck is asking about the correct propeller for the Turbo. Sonex lists 54x50 Climb and 56x52 Cruise. Personally, I’d probably choose the climb prop, but I’d really want to hear what others who’ve flown that combination think.
Re: Prop advice needed.
Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2021 7:02 pm
by GraemeSmith
gammaxy wrote:I believe zzdeck is asking about the correct propeller for the Turbo. Sonex lists 54x50 Climb and 56x52 Cruise. Personally, I’d probably choose the climb prop, but I’d really want to hear what others who’ve flown that combination think.
I know the Prince selection wizard will bring up a different prop for the AeroVee Turbo.
Re: Prop advice needed.
Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2021 11:09 am
by zzdeck
Yes grammaxy, I am specifically asking about a prop for the Aerovee Turbo. Sonex lists two recommended props, one a cruise prop and the other a climb prop. And Sonex’s FAQ states that Sonex leans toward the climb prop. What I’m requesting is feedback from Aerovee Turbo builder/pilots as to their experience and preferences with climb versus cruise props. Right now I’m thinking climb. Anyone think that is the wrong decision?
Re: Prop advice needed.
Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2021 1:07 pm
by pfhoeycfi
zzdeck wrote:Yes grammaxy, I am specifically asking about a prop for the Aerovee Turbo. Sonex lists two recommended props, one a cruise prop and the other a climb prop. And Sonex’s FAQ states that Sonex leans toward the climb prop. What I’m requesting is feedback from Aerovee Turbo builder/pilots as to their experience and preferences with climb versus cruise props. Right now I’m thinking climb. Anyone think that is the wrong decision?
…I signed on to ask the very same question and yours was on top. I too am ready for a prop and wondering if anyone has any insight as to the difference between the cruise and climb props for the turbo aerovee. My gut tells me go with the climb prop.
Re: Prop advice needed.
Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2021 6:27 pm
by pappas
After testing, on my turbo, a Sensenich climb 54x50, cruise 56x52, Prince P-tip cruise 54x50, and Ed Sterba hybrid climb/cruise 54x52 props, I have come to the conclusion that Sonex knows what they are talking about.
I am flying behind a Sensenich composite-covered wood prop suggested by Sonex at 56x52. However, my personal experience is that I would be equally happy with the Prince P-tip 54x50 cruise. I live in Phoenix and still get about 800 fpm in the desert heat. Better in the, very cold, winter here at 70 degrees.
If I want better climb than the Sensenich, I have the Sterba in the hangar. But I fly off of a 7000-foot runway and am satisfied with pretty much leaving the one prop on it.
Re: Prop advice needed.
Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2021 10:58 am
by pfhoeycfi
pappas wrote:After testing, on my turbo, a Sensenich climb 54x50, cruise 56x52, Prince P-tip cruise 54x50, and Ed Sterba hybrid climb/cruise 54x52 props, I have come to the conclusion that Sonex knows what they are talking about.
I am flying behind a Sensenich composite-covered wood prop suggested by Sonex at 56x52. However, my personal experience is that I would be equally happy with the Prince P-tip 54x50 cruise. I live in Phoenix and still get about 800 fpm in the desert heat. Better in the, very cold, winter here at 70 degrees.
If I want better climb than the Sensenich, I have the Sterba in the hangar. But I fly off of a 7000-foot runway and am satisfied with pretty much leaving the one prop on it.
What are your thoughts on the Sensenich climb prop offered by Sonex? I’ll be flying out of KDYL that is 3000" hard surface and 3PA2 that is shorter and turf.
peter
Re: Prop advice needed.
Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2021 4:59 pm
by OneTallShort
So my choice was for the Sonex climb prop. My logic is that the turbo runs better and faster at altitude. But you have to get up there first. For most short flights, pattern work, aerobatics, climb is better and more fun. So if you want to go fast, go high.
That said I haven’t flow yet behind my choice, but that’s why I bought my prop.
Re: Prop advice needed.
Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2021 6:00 pm
by zzdeck
Thanks to all who replied. I’ve decided to convince my partner that a composite Senserich, climb prop, is the way to go.
I think there is a bigger chance I’d regret getting a cruise prop than regret getting a climb prop. And wasn’t minimizing regret something that was covered in an engineering decision making class I took years ago??? Memory too far gone to remember for sure.
Re: Prop advice needed.
Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2021 6:22 pm
by Spaceman
GraemeSmith wrote:Prince Carbon P tip is an option.
…
Be aware typical production time is 6 months…
10.5 months and counting here… 
Re: Prop advice needed.
Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2021 10:18 pm
by pappas
Peter,
I have about 8 hours of testing the Sensenich recommended climb prop. It works great and 3000 feet of runway is probably 2400 feet more than you will need, but use it all anyway!
I just like flying higher and faster. The cruise prop still climbs just fine, even in the Phoenix heat. I just keep it in ground effect until I get to 70 mph before pulling back on the stick in the summer. Winter is no problem. With the climb prop, I rotate at 60 and climb immediately.