Press Releases

Pilatus to Outfit Aircraft With Hartzell Propellers Through 2010

Hartzell Co-Presidents Jim Brown III (on the left) and Joe Brown with 400th Pilatus PC-12 propeller shortly after assembly at Hartzell’s main plant in Piqua, Ohio.

PIQUA, Ohio May 21, 2002 — Hartzell Propeller today announced that it has signed an exclusivity agreement with Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. of Stans, Switzerland, covering all existing business with Pilatus, including the installation of propellers for its PC-6, PC-7, PC-9 and PC-12 single-engine turboprop aircraft.

The agreement establishes that Pilatus will install Hartzell propellers on these aircraft through Dec. 31, 2010. Currently valued at $16 million in revenue, this number is expected to grow as Hartzell and Pilatus collaborate on upcoming development programs, including the PC-21 Advanced Trainer which was officially rolled out May 1st.

Hartzell and Pilatus initiated their working relationship in 1953, when Hartzell supplied propellers for Pilatus’ P-3 single-engine military training aircraft. Pilatus has been using Hartzell propellers exclusively ever since.

“Throughout our 49-year relationship, Hartzell has consistently delivered propellers that offer superior performance over competitive options,” said John Senior, Vice President Engineering at Pilatus Aircraft. “We are pleased to enter this agreement because it enables us to provide our customers with the finest turboprop aircraft available today.”

Offering aircraft designed for a variety of applications including business airplanes (PC-12), high-wing aircraft for work in rough environments (PC-6), and turbo and advanced turbo trainers (PC-7 and PC-9M), Pilatus aircraft are recognized worldwide for their innovative design, precision engineering and quality craftsmanship.

“Hartzell and Pilatus have enjoyed a long partnership because we share a common operating philosophy. Dedicated to engineering and manufacturing the finest propellers and aircraft available, we are pleased to formalize our long standing working relationship with this agreement,” said Mike Disbrow, senior vice president at Hartzell Propeller.

Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. is the leading manufacturer of single-engine turboprop aircraft worldwide with an exemplary reputation in the aviation industry. The headquarters at Stans employs about 1,000 persons. With its subsidiaries in the United States and in Australia, Pilatus marks its worldwide presence. Visit the company online at www.pilatus-aircraft.com.

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.

For more information on Hartzell, visit the Web at www.hartzellprop.com or fax your request to Hartzell at (937) 778-4321.