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or anybody else who loves wooden props.
A few days ago I said (in another thread) that I had a funny story about Sensenich. Hank wanted to hear it, so here it is. First the disclaimers:
1) I swear this is a true story
2) It came about due to an AD the specifics of which I may not get completely accurate, but it does not affect the story.
3) The quotes are not exact, but the intent is right on. (How could I forget something like this.)
Many years ago, (around 1975 I think) a buddy of mine was doing an annual inspection on a Mooney (I think). At the time there was an AD on the propeller. It had to do with a harmonic vibration (if I remember correctly) and the compliance required that the tach have a placard to avoid running the engine continuously between 2150 and 2350 (or something like that). The alternate means of compliance was to have the prop modified to eliminate the problem.
Here’s what happened:
During the course of the annual it was noted that the log book stated that the prop had been modified to comply. The problem was the prop was not stamped to indicate that the mod had been done. The requirement was that a letter be stamped following the S/N (or something like that). Since the mod could not be verified It was decided that a call to Sensenich was in order. Now comes the fun part.
Apparently, Sensenich had service engineer who sounded like he was a least 92 years of age and been locked up in the factory attic for some time. When told of the problem he advised that the prop should be sent in to verify the mod because the stamp definitely needs to be there. When asked why this was so important he got this reply (keep in mind my buddy is talking to a factory engineer now)
“Well that’s the trouble with these metal props. One minute they’re there, and the next minute they’re gone.” He went on to say, “We got some nice wooden props we can sell you and they have the vibration issues like the metal ones.”
A few days ago I said (in another thread) that I had a funny story about Sensenich. Hank wanted to hear it, so here it is. First the disclaimers:
1) I swear this is a true story
2) It came about due to an AD the specifics of which I may not get completely accurate, but it does not affect the story.
3) The quotes are not exact, but the intent is right on. (How could I forget something like this.)
Many years ago, (around 1975 I think) a buddy of mine was doing an annual inspection on a Mooney (I think). At the time there was an AD on the propeller. It had to do with a harmonic vibration (if I remember correctly) and the compliance required that the tach have a placard to avoid running the engine continuously between 2150 and 2350 (or something like that). The alternate means of compliance was to have the prop modified to eliminate the problem.
Here’s what happened:
During the course of the annual it was noted that the log book stated that the prop had been modified to comply. The problem was the prop was not stamped to indicate that the mod had been done. The requirement was that a letter be stamped following the S/N (or something like that). Since the mod could not be verified It was decided that a call to Sensenich was in order. Now comes the fun part.
Apparently, Sensenich had service engineer who sounded like he was a least 92 years of age and been locked up in the factory attic for some time. When told of the problem he advised that the prop should be sent in to verify the mod because the stamp definitely needs to be there. When asked why this was so important he got this reply (keep in mind my buddy is talking to a factory engineer now)
“Well that’s the trouble with these metal props. One minute they’re there, and the next minute they’re gone.” He went on to say, “We got some nice wooden props we can sell you and they have the vibration issues like the metal ones.”