Looking for a prop

[Bob Waldron]

I had an unplanned runway excursion with my Taylorcraft a few days ago, and I removed a runway light. Pilot and passenger are fine. Lycoming O-145 is fine. Taylorcraft is unharmed except for a broken prop. I flew it home with a spare prop that I had, but I am looking for a Sensenich W 70 LY 34 or a Flottorp 69 L 44. I would appreciate any leads.

Thanks.

Bob Waldron
Webster MN USA
952-652-3000 home
612-413-7598

[samyguy]

Re: Looking for a prop

there was one on barnstormers last month
type in Sensenich and start going back

[samyguy]

Re: Looking for a prop

Sorry just looked add is gone

[vetdrem]

Re: Looking for a prop

If you end up having to buy a new one, I recommend checking with The Propeller Man. (407)932-2222. When I needed one, Sensenich said it would be 6-8 weeks, so did Aircraft Spruce.

The Propeller Man had one in stock and was able to ship it out that day.

[vetdrem]

Re: Looking for a prop

If you end up having to buy a new one, I recommend checking with The Propeller Man. (407)932-2222. When I needed one, Sensenich said it would be 6-8 weeks, so did Aircraft Spruce.

The Propeller Man had one in stock and was able to ship it out that day.

[N95334]

Re: Looking for a prop

Oh a prop strike. You are trusting your life and anyone flying with you that the engine is not damaged.

[waltermrich]

Re: Looking for a prop

Oh a prop strike. You are trusting your life and anyone flying with you that the engine is not damaged.

From what I have heard a wood prop strike will not damage an engine.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Looking for a prop

MIGHT, not damage an engine. At a minimum a crank shaft run out measurement should be made (I would assume he has done that) It WILL NOT show if a spiral fracture inside the journals has happened, but it is "fairly" uncommon with a wood prop. It all comes down to how far down the risk curve you want to live. If you want NO risk you should NDI the crank after every start (and then never fly the plane because you are WAY too risk averse). At the other end of the spectrum is the guy who would glue the prop back together, Bondo up the missing gaps and try to start it again (don't stand anywhere near this kind of nut ball, then again, he won't live long anyway).
Life involves risk. In the absence of mandatory inspections, each of us has to decide what risks we will take.

Hank

Of course most non-aviation people already think we are in the "nut ball" category for flying old airplanes anyway, so perspective has a lot to do with it too. ;-)

[Robert Lees]

Re: Looking for a prop

Speak with your aircraft insurers. They will have the final say on whether further engine inspection is required.

Get their response in writing, and if it does not insist upon engine strip-down, get them to provide a copy to your family lawyer.

[astjp2]

Re: Looking for a prop

first off the only ones that say you need to tear down and inspect an engine if a blade strikes a blade of grass is LYCOMING and CONTINENTAL, Rob you assume that he has insurance. I hit a landing light, new prop and back in the air. You might dial in the crank, if its good, fly it. The lawyers dictate what needs inspection, not common sense. I would not worry about it, find a prop and fly it. Tim

[Bob Waldron]

Re: Looking for a prop

Thanks for everyone's reply. Yes, it was a prop strike, at idle, and removed 4 inches of wooden prop. Dial indicator indicated ZERO run out. I have NEVER seen ZERO run-out before. I thought that my indicator was broken.
My replacement prop runs well, but it is a cruise prop and does not climb very well with full fuel and two large people. I have ordered a 'climb' prop. I will keep the 'cruise' prop for solo cross country trips, but since I do most of my flying within a two hour radius with two full size adults on board, I will have the 'climb' prop on most of the time.
Thanks again for your input.

[3Dreaming]

Re: Looking for a prop

Back when I had my BL I ordered a new pro from Sensenich after a old prop was condemned. I ordered a 70x36 replacing the old prop I had, and the engine would not turn up with it at all. I couldn't even get tit to red line in a shallow dive. I put fabric back on the old prop to do a test, and it turned up fine and performed well. I sent it back TO Sensenich to have it measured. They said it measured close to a 70x32. After much discussion I had them build me a 70x34 to minimum blade thickness and width. That prop performed well on the little Lycoming on the Taylorcraft.

In my opinion when Sensenich made the transition to automated equipment the way that the pitch of their propellers was measured was changed. None of the new propellers in the old diameters and pitches seem yo work as well as they did in the old days.

[Bob Waldron]

Re: Looking for a prop

3Dreaming,
Thanks for the info. The prop I broke was a 70x36 and would not turn up to 2500 rpm (65 hp). I have ordered a 70x34.

[3Dreaming]

Re: Looking for a prop

3Dreaming,
Thanks for the info. The prop I broke was a 70x36 and would not turn up to 2500 rpm (65 hp). I have ordered a 70x34.

You know I am fairly certain that when these airplanes were new a 70x36 would turn up to rated RPM, or the manufactures wouldn't have put them on the airplanes.

[Robert Lees]

Re: Looking for a prop