The International Cessna^® 170 Association

Sensenich is running their summer special on re-pitching props. I have a cruise prop on the bird now and I'm debating on whether or not to go back to the standard prop or put a climb prop back on. Either way I want to get away from the cruise prop, and for only $185, you can't beat that. How much cruise speed would I lose going from a cruise to a climb. I believe the cruise is pitched at 58, the standard is 56, and the climb is 54. Any suggestions are welcome. The plane will sometimes operate out of a 1800' grass strip with those nasty obstructions.

thanks all!
v/r,
Jud

Which prop are you talking about. The pitches you gave aren't right for the standard McCauley prop which would be 55, 53, 51.

The Sensenich designations appear to be different than the McCauley. According to the TIC170A SRAM book (page 14-9) The Sensenich props are:
Standard: M74-DR56
Cruise: M74-DR54
Climb: M74-DR58

It seems to me that the cruise & climb designations might be swapped, since as Bruce points out the McCauley cruise is 55 and the climb is 51, but that's what's in the book and I have no experience with them to say otherwise.

I just had my prop repitched by Sensenich in lancaster about a month ago, I had a Mccauly em 53 and pitched to a 50 for $185 ( forgot to tell em its for a fbo, usually 150). they did it while I waited, got there at 8am went to the diner for some eats, went back to see if there was any problems to find my prop right were I left it, thinking "ok where's the red tag" but to find that I was all done. The folks there are great, one of the fellows showed me how the repitch was done and then gave a quick tour of the place. Anyway if I did it again I would of went with a 51 pitch, but at andover with its 1900' strip I chickened out. My cruise at 2450 went from 113 mph to 100 ish, and top speed went from 132 mph to 120 mph. I now cruise at 2550 on trips for 110 mph and 2500 at 105 and 2350 gives me 95 mph for sight seeing and when I listen to atc and hear " there's a slow moving vfr traffic...not a factor" I know it's me.
Now I dont know about A's and B's but my ragwing is pretty speed sensitive on it's climb , so I needed something to get up to speed quickly on climb out to hit that magic number, so the 50 gives me a little more available hp to do it.

Yea I checked with Sensenich and those numbers are correct: 74DR-0-54 is the climb prop.

I'll echo Vic's experiance at Sensicish Propeller Service.

But which Sensenich are we talking about. This is very confusing. The original Sensecih Propeller Company, the ones that manufacturer Sencenich Propellers use to be located right at Lancaster Airport. About 10 years ago there was a split in the company and the manufactering company moved to a plant about 2 miles off of Lancaster airport and at some time they also opened a plant in Florida.

Sensenich Propeller Service, Inc., operated by ex employees of the original company remained at the hanger on the airport and eventually expanded to a building across the street from the airport.

Sensenich Propeller Company still manufactures propellers and will service their propellors but no others.

Sensenich Propeller Service, Inc. does not manufactor any propellers but will service all propellers.

Make sure you know who your speaking with when you call,

Sensenich Propeller Service is who I've dealt with haviing 2 propellers repitched and one repaired. I was very pleased with their service. If you call ahead the will service the prop while you wait.

The Sensenich Propeller Service, Inc, number is 800 462-3412

I dropped the prop off yesterday at Sensenich Propeller Service, Inc. the one across the steet from the Airport in Lancaster. I was planning on just the repitch but it turns out I had some minor pitting on the prop. They told me I needed it overhauled, so for $400 I get it repitched and rebuilt. The gentleman told me the FAA is starting to ground planes with the polished aluminum props because there is no authorization for the paint to be stripped and the prop polished. Just thought I'd pass that along for you guys and gals that have them that way.

v/r,
Jud

Jud, I'm sure that if they said it needed a overhaul it did. I found that he's a straight shooter when it comes to a overhaul/ no overhaul descision, you'll be happy with there work.

Yea I have no doubt it needed overhauled, and I know I'll be getting good work. I'm just glad I had enough material to get it repitched and still have it overhauled. He did say that he's had a lot of props from CA coming in due to one FAA inspector out there grounding the planes with the polished aluminum. I'm picking it up friday, so hopefully I'll be in the air again this weekend. I'm tired of working on the girl, I want to fly her!

Out of curiosity, what is the FAA's reasoning for nixing polished props?

Does the FAA still fly their DC-3?

Maybe that one inspector should ground their
own airplane (as I recall, it has polished HamStd
blades).

Then of course, the manuals on the Ham Stds
may allow for a "natural" (or polished) finish....

It is my understanding that Hamilton Standard is the only prop that was originally certified with a polished finish. I've been told that McCauley, Hartzell and Sensenich never tried to certify their props without a painted finish. I've never heard anything about the antique props such as Curtis Reed etc..