SonexBuilders.net

Hi All,

Well I've got the AeroVee Turbo successfully mounted on the aircraft, with plumbing and wiring to begin very soon. So now I need to stop dithering and pick a prop, otherwise I won't be able to give the engine a good test-run and tune the AeroInjector.

The AeroVee Turbo Performance Numbers thread has some good data; but mostly covers Prince P-Tip props and doesn't quite give me the info I need to make a final decision.

My airframe has been built to be relatively light (keeping the added extras to a minimum; although the turbo and Sonex hydraulic brakes do add a few pounds). This is because I myself am relatively heavy (215 lbs), and because my most-likely passengers are also on the larger side (185-200 lbs). Where I fly (WA state) has some mountains and desert, and some fun short airstrips. Most are plenty long enough that takeoff roll isn't a problem; but with our tall trees I want to have good climb performance. ESPECIALLY since I know I'll be heavy when I do fly with a passenger! Although I like the idea of max speed, I have decided that an extra ~200fpm climb is probably worth 5-10mph of speed. given my mission. Plus, a faster climb rate also means I can get up to altitude faster and then take advantage of higher TAS numbers (I'll often be climbing to 4000' or 5000' to clear the Cascade foothills & mountains anyways). Plus, the idea of a climb rate less than 500fpm when flying at gross weight on a day with noticeable density-altitude spooks me.

So although I'd love to get the best of both worlds, I think for me the big questions are:

1. Between the Prince and Sensenich climb prop, which provides better climb performance?
2. If I go with the Prince prop, is the Carbon Fiber version worth ~$250 extra? (Note that I'll be storing the aircraft in a hangar)

Thanks a bunch,

--Noel
Sonex #1339
Center-Stick, Flush-pulled-rivets, AeroVee Turbo, Taildragger (4" tailwheel upgrade), Sport-Acro Ailerons, Sonex hydraulic brakes
MGL Discovery Lite, MGL V6, Trigg TT21, ELT, MGL Infinity Single w/9v battery (night VFR backup instrument)

I have not started mine yet, but I ended up going with the climb version of the Sesinich prop. The final decision of the climb version was the ability to sustain level flight if the turbo were to freeze up or otherwise fail. I really wanted to go with the cruise for top speed, but the "what if" factor won out in the end.

I wouldn't even consider the climb prop. I have the Sensenich cruise prop and at 9500 even that seems to run out of bite for my personal liking. It has good climb rates at sea level and gets along at a nice speed. Matched perfectly for what I want and do. I played around with that many props in my last plane that yeilded basically the same result. It was refreshing for me to bolt this prop on and it do what it was claimed to do. Sweet spot for my flying is around 4000-6000 ft with that prop.

Brett wrote:I wouldn't even consider the climb prop. I have the Sensenich cruise prop and at 9500 even that seems to run out of bite for my personal liking. It has good climb rates at sea level and gets along at a nice speed.

Brett - Can you give me an indication of:

• What engine you're using?
• What your empty weight is?
• What climb rate you see at sea level (and solo, or gross)?

Thanks,

--Noel

Aerovee 2.1 turbo
Tailwheel
306 kg empty weight
Rate of climb solo at about 85-90 kts sea level 850-900fpm on average I guess full fuel.
Two ppl at mtow hurt it somewhat but it will still climb over 500 fpm if you want it too and I've only ever really flown 2 up about 3 times so wasn't paying attention to figures at all really.
I never really climb out at 40" either ,,usually only ever about 38" max till off the ground then. Never more than 35"
Gets hot as here in summer so I climb out shallow and the air is thin. I'm yet to do any nice thick cold air testing. Hopefully that'll be happening soon.