Press Releases

Local Company Supports Around-the-World Solo Flight Record Attempt

PIQUA, Ohio — April 30, 2001 — Hartzell Propeller today welcomes Polly Vacher to the Piqua Airport as she continues her around-the-world solo flight in her single-engine Piper Dakota aircraft. Hartzell, one of Vacher’s corporate sponsors, has been supporting her travels across the globe since she departed from Birmingham, England on Jan. 12. Vacher anticipates completing her trip when she reaches her final destination back in Birmingham on May 14.

The purpose of her flight is to not only break the world record, but also to raise money for the Royal International Air Tattoo Flying Scholarships for the Disabled. Vacher’s mission is to solidify annual scholarships to teach people with disabilities how to fly. She and her husband, Peter, have been instrumental in the development of hand controls for light aircraft and in holding flying days for disabled people.

“We are pleased to welcome Polly to Dayton, as she nears the completion of her around-the-world travels,” said Mike Disbrow, Senior Vice President Marketing, Applications & Customer Support. “We congratulate Polly on her anticipated success and whole-heartedly support her cause to afford people with disabilities the opportunity to learn how to fly.”

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.