JJ Frigge, President of Hartzell Propeller, described how Hartzell Aviation, Hartzell Propeller, and Hartzell Engine Technologies have been part of Signia Aviation for about the past year and a half and all the companies are very well-aligned around investing in technology and innovation and are working together to bring quality, performance and support to general aviation pilots.
Hartzell and Signia are investing in their portfolio through several acquisitions over the past 14 months or so. They’re also putting a lot into automation and facilities, and their new 150,000 square foot Composite Innovation Center in Piqua is being readied for opening its composite production line along with the Factory Service Center.
The company is making a large investment in product development. The first is Hartzell Engine Tech’s PMA for the S20/S200 series magneto representing product improvements that are broadly used on Cirrus SR 22 and Robinson Helicopter models. It’s available through Hartzell Engine Tech’s distribution network and the company is expecting more this year for the S1200 magneto that the company thinks will be well-received by the market.
On the Hartzell Propeller side, Frigge was enthusiastic about a number of innovations that have been introduced over the past year including:
- STC for the Wipaire Caravan, a 4-blade carbon fiber propeller called the Yukon that is 20 lbs lighter and yields a 25% shorter takeoff roll with no loss in climb or cruise performance.
- The GB1 by Game Composites received the STC for the Talon, a 3-blade carbon fiber prop that cuts the takeoff roll by 240 feet while yielding an extra 100 ft/min rate of climb and 5-6 kts extra in cruise speed. The STC is available for newly built GB1s as well as retrofits.
- The Voyager 3-blade metal prop has done very well over the past 5 years on the Cessna 180/182/185 Skywagon series. The carbon version of the Voyager just got the STC and is available in various lengths depending on the airframe and gear configuration. The carbon version is 54 lbs lighter than the metal and yields improved takeoff and climb performance.
- For the Aviat Husky, the STC has been received for the Pathfinder 3-blade carbon fiber prop weighing just under 50 lbs that reduces takeoff roll by 15% and increases climb rate by 20%.
- The Kestrel is Hartzell’s prop that is type-designed and engineered for the Carbon Cub UL with the Rotax 916 engine. The 3-blade carbon fiber prop weighs just 20 lbs and the prop with its Falcon retention system are ASTM compliant and currently in type certification.
- For the Mooney M20 A through G and J models, the STC is complete for the Outlaw, a 2-blade blended airfoil prop that is 20 lbs lighter than metal and delivers best-in-class performance for the Mooney.
-The Carbon Blended Airfoil is also available for the Van’s RV series of aircraft as the 2-blade Raptor composite prop that is 20 lbs lighter than the metal. The Redline Airshows team are fans of this prop.
Frigge wrapped up by mentioning the company is going all-in on carbon-fiber tech and pushing the limits on how to wring the best performance out of the aircraft and there is a white paper on the carbon fiber tech on the website.
