Hartzell Propeller is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a number of new certifications and technologies that have expanded its reach across a spectrum of propeller-driven general aviation aircraft. The recent certifications, which include applications for the Supervan 900 and Piper M600, are the fruits of a multi-year, multimillion-dollar investment the company has undertaken as it enters its second century of propeller manufacturing.
"By focusing our attention on large fleets of turboprops and piston-driven aircraft, Hartzell continues to develop the highest performing and most up-to-date propellers that can be found anywhere on the planet," said Hartzell Propeller president Joe Brown. "These investments are paying off in real-world performance increases for OEMs, and owners and operators that choose to fly Hartzell props."
The company, which began as the Hartzell Walnut Propeller Company in 1917 after Orville Wright encouraged Robert Hartzell to build propellers out of walnut trees, has since built and supported more than 500,000 propellers.
Its propellers have evolved over the years, from the original wooden “Liberty” propellers produced for early warplanes, to a range of composite and aluminum designs and a gamut of applications. The company will showcase a number of those advancements as it celebrates the 100th anniversary next week during EAA Air Venture 2017 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin (Booth 296-297). It is highlighting its two-blade composite Trailblazer, three-blade Bantam and Raptor applications, four-blade aluminum and composite options, and five-blade carbon fiber propellers for various aircraft models.
Hartzell outlined the recent successes of several of its new programs, ranging from applications on Piper’s top-of-the-line M600 turboprop to the CubCrafters XCub piston single. Its new five-blade composite swept-tip prop was approved earlier this year for installation on the M600. The propeller was tailored for the M600, with thin, maximum efficiency airfoils to boost performance. Hartzell also is making the propeller available for new Piper M500s, as well as the legacy Meridian and M500 fleets.
In addition, the company’s four-blade composite swept prop was recent certified on the Supervan 900, a modified Cessna Caravan. Texas Turbine Conversions obtained the supplemental type certificate through a collaboration with Hartzell. The 110-inch diameter propeller, which is 60 pounds lighter than the existing propeller, boosts performance and reliability through new advanced aerodynamics and manufacturing processes, Hartzell said.
Hartzell also continues to build on the success of its carbon fiber five-blade propeller program designed for the PC-12. More than 200 PC-12s are now flying with the propellers, including 160 PC-12 NGs. The NGs incorporate a specially designed five-blade, 105-inch-diameter composite propeller as standard equipment. Hartzell is offering the propeller for the entire fleet of more 1,500 PC-12s under its Top Prop program.
Hartzell Propeller has further delivered more than 230 advanced swept-airfoil five-blade props for the Daher TBM 700/850/900/930 since obtaining FAA approval in 2014. In less than three years on the market, Hartzell has captured nearly 30 percent of the entire TBM fleet with the composite propellers.
Also, Hartzell has been selected to provide its four-blade lightweight aluminum propeller for the Hindustan Aeronautics HTT-40 two-place turbine basic trainer.
As for lighter aircraft, the company’s composite Trailblazer prop was recently approved for installation on Cessna Cardinals. The STC, obtained through General Aviation Modifications Inc. (GAMI), covers retractable-gear, normally aspirated and turbo-normalized C-177RG Cardinals with IO-360s and IO-390s engines.
Along with the composite prop, Hartzell’s blended airfoil two-blade metal scimitar propeller was recently certified for the Cessna Cardinal RG fleet. That conversion is available directly through Hartzell and the Top Prop program.
Hartzell Propeller's 83-inch composite Trailblazer propeller was granted STC approval for the Super Cub PA-12 and PA-18. That STC was obtained through Professional Pilots, which is marketing the conversion program from its Lowell, Indiana facility.
CubCrafters selected the Hartzell Trailblazer as standard equipment on its newest XCub. The Trailblazer is designed with a field-replaceable nickel-cobalt leading edge, providing utility in backcountry and bush flying.
While Hartzell has focused on new applications, it also continues to work on performance and cost. The company has extended the warranty on its Top Prop conversion propellers through first overhaul, marking its longest warranty yet.
