Press Releases

Hartzell Propeller is proud to announce its selection as the propeller technical partner by Red Bull Air Races (RBAR). As the propeller partner, Hartzell will provide it’s highly regarded 3-blade structural composite propeller, “The Claw”, as well as carbon fiber composite spinners, and lightweight governors to each race team. Hartzell will also provide complete propeller technical support and maintenance services for all of the race teams.

The Red Bull Air Race World Championship will be back in the skies in February 2014 with a full seven-race World Championship staged in 6 countries on 3 continents. In the sport created in 2003 and watched by millions of fans, the competitors race in high-performance airplanes between 15 and 25 meters above the ground and navigate a challenging obstacle course of Air Gate pylons at speeds of up to 370 kph.

Joe Brown, President of Hartzell Propeller, said “We have good friends flying in the Red Bull race series and most have depended on our high performance aerobatic prop for years. This new race series gives us a chance to work more directly with these incredible aviators and to see our technologies used to achieve maximum performance.”
The Hartzell 3-bladed 7690 structural composite propeller that the Red Bull racers will use was nicknamed “The Claw” by famed aerobatic performer Sean D. Tucker due to its incredible thrust and low gyroscopic forces and inertia. These characteristics, coupled with the tremendous strength of the Kevlar® construction, make it an ideal match for the race series.

As a company staffed by pilots and aviation enthusiasts, Hartzell shares in the anticipation of a competitive, safe and exciting race season. We are ready to support RBAR and each race team as they begin their quest for the championship
For nearly 100 years, Hartzell has defined the aircraft propeller business. From our beginnings with the Wright Brothers in 1917 to our introduction of blended airfoil designs and advanced structural composite blades, Hartzell’s commitment to innovation, performance, and safety leads the aviation industry.