Hartzell Aviation, a consortium of companies, calls Hartzell Propeller its flagship, and for good reason. The propeller OEM based in Piqua, Ohio, has pushed forward with its blended airfoil props, with many utilizing composite construction to achieve the advanced designs. And the aftermarket Top Prop program through which Hartzell has delivered those props to a wide range of airframe and engine combinations has proven popular with pilots and owners.
At EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Hartzell announced it will deliver its 30,000th replacement prop in the conversion program in 2023. The Top Prop catalog boasts more than 100 options, aggregated over the course of 30 years, including from OEMs like Beechcraft, Cessna, Diamond, Piper, Mooney, Pilatus, Daher, and others.
New Top Props
Hartzell announced the latest supplemental type certificates awarded in the program, starting with the three-blade Polaris carbon fiber prop now offered as a factory option on the Diamond DA40 NG. The lightweight prop replaces the MT-Propeller wood/composite one that comes standard. The 74-inch diameter prop pairs with the Austro E4-A and has an aluminum hub, along with a 2,400-hour/six-year TBO. According to company president JJ Frigge, the prop delivers a 3 knot faster true airspeed and a 74.1 dB noise level.
“We’re extremely excited about this platform, the Diamond DA40 NG,” said Frigge. He noted that the prop checks in at 35 to 40 pounds and “brings a new technology carbon fiber propeller” to the airplane. It’s also available as a retrofit.
The company—along with partner Wipaire—also expects STC approval “soon” on its Yukon four-blade propeller for the Cessna 208 and 208B Caravan on floats or wheels, hopefully in the third quarter. The composite 110-inch diameter prop is available with or without TKS ice protection or electric deice boots. It weighs about 19 pounds less “on the nose of the Caravan” and increases cruise speed at lower power settings.
“On the Caravan with a Yukon prop, Wipaire flight test results showed there is up to a 26 percent decrease in total takeoff distance from land and up to a 31 percent decrease in takeoff from water,” said Frigge. “This translates into safer takeoffs and landings on smaller lakes and shorter runways.” It’s available on all of the -114 and -140 Caravans on the market.
Included in the Top Prop program as well is the update to the Daher Kodiak 100 announced earlier this week.
