Press Releases

84-Inch Diameter Propeller Also To Be STC’d On Earlier Models

PIQUA, Ohio – January 24, 2000 — Hartzell Propeller Inc. announced today that Wipaire, Inc. of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota will obtain a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) certifying its 84-inch diameter three-bladed Compact series propeller for use on the currently produced Cessna 182S, 206H and T206H model Lycoming-powered singles. While developed primarily for use with Wipline float packages on these aircraft, the propeller will also be certified for use on land planes as well. In addition, Wipaire is pursuing an additional certification to cover use of this propeller model on earlier production Cessna 180’s and 182’s.
The new Hartzell propeller model is a growth version of the tremendously successful 80-inch diameter Top PropÔ conversion package used with the Continental powered Cessna 206 and 207 model aircraft. The Top PropÔ package for these aircraft has been universally recognized as THE prop for floatplane operators.

On the currently produced Cessnas, the Hartzell 84-inch diameter three-bladed prop replaces the standard McCauley 79-inch diameter three-blade. The larger diameter Hartzell dramatically increases static thrust and initial climb performance. The increased performance of this propeller will allow float operators to get “out of the hole and on the step” faster, improving the margin of safety in clearing near-by obstacles after take-off. Test pilots have also reported smoother operation with the new Hartzell prop.

“The increased performance of the new Hartzell is astounding,” said Wipaire’s chief pilot Mark Mathisen. “In one application, a Quebec bush pilot in a fully-loaded 206H with four adults and 65 gallons of fuel was out of the water at 1,600 feet. Even with the heavier plane, the pilot reported a lot more static thrust and enjoyed a much smoother flight thanks to that new prop,” he said.

Wipaire was so delighted with the increased performance provided by this propeller that they are also pursuing its certification on the earlier Continental powered 180C-K and 182E-R models. These applications originally had two-bladed props. The new three-bladed prop will provide similar benefits to operators of these aircraft as it does for the Lycoming powered airplanes.

Hartzell successfully conducted propeller stress surveys as part of the certification effort and Wipaire has successfully completed all other testing required to obtain the certification. The test results have been submitted to the FAA for approval of the STC, which Wipaire anticipates receiving within the next few weeks.

Hartzell Propeller Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of propeller systems, well known for its advanced engineering and manufacturing capabilities. The company is rich in aviation heritage tracing its beginnings to relationships with Orville Wright and Glenn Curtiss. Significant technical innovations include the industry’s first full-feathering propeller for light twins, the first fully reversing propellers for corporate turboprops and the industry’s first composite structure blades. Hartzell was recently selected by NASA as the exclusive propeller partner for its General Aviation Propulsion (GAP) program- developing the next generation of general aviation propulsion systems.