​Sensenich has been awarded a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for its carbon ground adjustable pitch STOL propeller on Piper Super Cub Aircraft.

This STC allows installation on PA-18 “150” aircraft with Lycoming O-360 series engines, with future STCs planned for Lycoming O-320 powered Super Cubs and certain popular training aircraft.

“Our experimental customers have been raving about this propeller for several years, and now we can offer the same step up in performance to our certified customers,” says Sensenich President Donald Rowell. 

Rowell continued, "This propeller’s quick and sure pitch adjustment gives the customer the option of maximum performance no matter what the flight profile may be."

Extensive testing required during the certification project in Alaska showed improved take-off, climb and cruise performance compared to what’s considered the industry standard fixed-pitch STOL propeller. When pitched for the same climb rpm as the standard propeller, climb rate was increased by 140ft/min, cruise speed was identical, and full-throttle level flight (FTLF) speed increased by 7 mph. When re-pitched to match the industry standard propeller's climb rate, cruise speed was increased by 8 mph and FTLF speed increased by 18 mph.

The new Sensenich composite propeller is less than half the weight of the legacy STOL propeller – 21 pounds vs. 44 for the metal unit.

The propeller is available in diameters from 78” to 82”. The STC also covers a 12” diameter, balanced composite spinner.

This STC will be available for new build propellers starting the first quarter of 2021. Pricing for the propeller with STC documentation is $6350 FOB Plant City. Adding the spinner brings the price to $7085 (including STC docs).
 
Sensenich began making wooden propellers in the early 1930s, introduced metal propellers in the '40s, developed composite propellers in the late '90s, and continues to push boundaries in the light aircraft, unmanned, and marine propulsion markets.

LED lighting company Aveo Engineering proudly announces the first FAA NORSEE (Non Required Safety Enhancing Equipment) approvals, for several of their Veolite interior sanitizing products. Known as Veolite, this new line provides a superior method of sanitizing aircraft interiors by using specific ultraviolet (UV) light wavelengths to destroy viruses, germs, molds, and other pathogens with over 99% efficacy.

Aveo's CabinPure light array, (weatherproof) CabinPure Tuff, and SafeSpace activation controller have been approved, and add a better method of sanitizing aircraft passenger areas, lavatories, galleys, and flight decks. These three new Veolite™ products are now approved for fixed mounting within the aircraft, providing a quick and thorough method of interior sanitization when the aircraft is between flights. These UV lights destroy the DNA of pathogens in under 3 seconds, and, for protection from the intense UV light, the SafeSpace controller ensures that no disinfection cycle can occur unless the interior is unoccupied.

Other Veolite sanitization solutions include a portable, battery-powered system that also is effective in eliminating all pathogens within a matter of seconds. Known as V2D2 OnePass, this hand held wand requires a minimum of operator familiarization and PPE, and is inexpensive to obtain and operate. These portable systems use rechargeable batteries that provide 2 to 5 hours of use, depending on the length of the disinfection period desired.

Lee Budde’s business plan, back in 1998, started out with building enhanced Supercub fuselages, including a wider version. That led to the development of Airframes Inc., a company that has been very successful. Not one to rest on well-earned laurels, however, Lee knew that a lot of the aircraft in Alaska suffer abuse due to off airport landings and deferred maintenance resulting from parts unavailability or unreasonable pricing.  Requests from commercial aircraft operators inspired Lee to develop various STCs and PMAs for items like brake discs, door hinges, bolts for nosewheel struts, or banged up baffles.

So it was that he launched his second successful business in 2008: Airforms, Inc. As he addressed some of the Alaskan pilots’ needs, he began getting requests for parts (even prototype parts)… from all over the world. Today, Airforms holds nearly a thousand PMAs. They have more awaiting FAA approval.

One of the most successful issues Lee addressed was engine baffle kits. Baffles wear out, get bent or fall apart. Starting with the Supercub, Lee found that he could duplicate the original baffles and sell them for a lot less than OEM prices. He now holds PMAs for replacement baffle kits for 60 different models of Cessna, Piper, Beechcraft, Mooney, and Grumman. He has hundreds of different baffle assemblies in inventory, ready to ship.

With all the aging certified aircraft, Lee has shipped over 5,000 baffle kits during the time that he’s been in the business.

Airforms will be introducing several new baffle kits later this year.

They are also a leading supplier for STCs and replacement parts for the Cessna Caravan and CASA series aircraft.

For more information on baffle kits and other parts, visit Airform.biz