Press Releases

PIQUA, Ohio (April 8, 1993) — The Hartzell Service Center has received a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for installation of four-bladed Hartzell propellers on all Cessna 441 Conquest II aircraft, including those with Executive Wings and West Star engine conversions. Hartzell Propeller of Piqua and Executive Wings of Lakeland, Florida cooperated in the development of this new propeller system and were awarded the STC jointly. The Hartzell Service Center will market the conversion under its Top Prop Performance Conversion program.

The new 86-inch diameter, four-bladed units replace original 90-inch, three-bladed Hartzell and McCauley propellers and will provide the aircraft with greater ground clearance for reduced blade tip erosion. Flight testing has shown a reduction in interior noise levels of between 8-10 decibels, an improvement in cruise performance of up to 5 knots, increased climb rates of up to 400 fpm and a significant reduction in take-off rolls. In addition, four-bladed Hartzell propellers will provide Conquest II operators with smoother overall operations. The new Hartzell props also feature a de-ice system that heats all four blades at the same time, shedding ice evenly to avoid the blade imbalances that can result from alternate blade de-ice systems.

“Conquests are already fast, high-performance aircraft so we’re excited to offer a product that can significantly improve on this standard in the areas of take-off, climb, and cruise, while at the same time providing dramatically improved comfort for passengers from lower noise levels,” said Mike Disbrow, director of the Hartzell Service Center. “The decibel scale is logarithmic, so the 8-10 dBA reduction offered by our new conversion represents a major improvement in noise levels,” Disbrow added.

The kit price for the Conquest conversion is $37,000 plus shipping and/or installation. The kit includes (2) four-bladed propellers, (2) polished spinners, a complete propeller de-ice kit, including airframe mounted hardware, as well as all necessary Garrett parts and STC paperwork. The kit will be available through the Hartzell Service Center, Executive Wings, and through Conquest maintenance facilities and propeller shops.

Hartzell is the world’s leader in corporate turboprop propeller systems, installed on over 80 percent of the fleet. Hartzell is also the leading supplier of propeller conversions with thousands of aircraft now enjoying enhanced performance. Through its Top Prop Performance Conversion program, the Hartzell Service Center offers a wide and growing variety of conversions for Beechcraft, Cessna, Mooney, and Piper aircraft.