Hartzell Propeller Focuses on Quality, Performance, and Support

BY ROBBIE CULVER

TODAY STAFF

DURING A PRESS conference on Tuesday, July 25, at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, Hartzell Propeller President JJ Frigge reviewed Hartzell’s commitment to quality, performance, and support. Each subsection of the company’s wholly owned subsidiaries — Propeller, Engine Technology, and Aerospace Welding — continues to focus on these key aspects.

Saying he is “excited about the portfolio,” Frigge focused on the companies’ innovative products and on safety. Hartzell announced the release of a new series of short safety-oriented videos to be released, starting with firewall-forward topics broken into four-to-six-minute segments. Each video will qualify for FAA WINGS training credit. A sample was shown, and the results look both interesting and well paced — a key aspect in today’s content-driven world of consumption.

Several product innovation releases were reviewed.

A five-bladed carbon propeller for the Kodiak 100 with a measured rpm reduction from 2200 to 2000 with no loss in climb or cruise performance, a weight savings of 13 pounds, a 5 percent reduction in takeoff distance, and a 6 dB reduction in noise was introduced. Frigge described the prop as “a little bit unique.”

Released for the Diamond DA40 NG was the Polaris. The new prop will be offered as a factory option at Diamond in early fall 2023 and is a Bantam series — a lightweight, three-bladed carbon fiber propeller offering quiet operation at 74 dB, an increase of 3 knots in cruise performance, and a six-year, 2,400hour warranty.

Also announced was a Wipaire Caravan STC — the Yukon four-bladed carbon fiber propeller with a 110-inch scimitar design that offers 25 percent shorter takeoff and a 5-knot increase in cruise performance. The Yukon also provides a 20-pound weight savings with a six-year, 2,400-hour warranty. The STC will cover Cessna C-208 and C-208B models with an STC expected in the third quarter of 2023.

Hartzell will be offering a carbon blended airfoil for Van’s RV series aircraft. The new prop will provide the same market-leading performance as the blended airfoil metal propeller (7497 blade). The new two-bladed Raptor series composite propeller provides a 20-pound weight savings and has been tested on 390/360 stock engines. It is available in 74- and 72-inch diameters.

There is a $500 Hartzell discount through 2023 with a total $1,500 discount for a Hartzell/Lycoming bundle through Van’s aircraft. Frigge mentioned that the “Van’s world with so many different engines and airframes” remains a key market focus, with unique challenges.

A new area of focus for Hartzell is product innovation in the electric/ hybrid, advanced air mobility, and unmanned aerial vehicle market segments. Frigge refers to Hartzell’s work as “a very deep investment in this world.”

Hartzell announced the release of a new series of short safetyoriented videos to be released, starting with firewall-forward topics broken into four- to sixminute segments. Each video will qualify for FAA WINGS training credit.

Finally, Frigge circled back to the Top Prop program, sharing that Hartzell has had 30,000 deliveries in 30 years with broad offerings across general aviation. Hartzell continues to offer performance advantages with an industry-leading warranty all the way through first overhaul.

Recent challenges in industrywide supply chain issues now have much improved lead times, with two weeks or less on metal props. Frigge also shared a heartfelt “thank you” to the industry for its ongoing support.

More information can be found at HartzellProp.com and Hartzell.aero.