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At Hartzell Propeller, everything we do is driven by our founding principle of “Built On Honor.” It’s why we’re so proud to partner with industry pioneers like Daher, a global aerospace company that, much like Hartzell, has been focused on innovation since its inception.
Keep reading as we shine the spotlight on Daher’s history, popular aircraft, and continued contributions to the aviation industry:
Daher traces its roots to the 19th century, when it was established as a shipping company in Marseille, France. Throughout its 160-year history, the company has developed expertise in shipping, lifting, transportation, and logistics. Today, Daher designs and operates logistics services for the aerospace and advanced technology industries.
The company’s involvement in aviation manufacturing dates back to 1911 with the pioneering plane maker Morane-Saulnier, making Daher the world’s oldest aircraft manufacturer still in operation. The company currently focuses on designing and producing two types of single-engine turboprop-powered aircraft: the Kodiak, an all-terrain multi-purpose airplane; and the TBM, one of the world’s fastest single-engine turboprop-powered aircraft.
To date, a combined total of some 1,400 TBM and Kodiak aircraft have been delivered worldwide. Over 2 million flight hours have been logged by the TBM and Kodiak fleet, a testament to the quality and performance of the state-of-the-art aircraft.
In 2014, Daher unveiled the successor to its TBM 850 turboprop, the TBM 900. The top-secret program, called the “Century Project,” pushed the TBM platform to new heights with dramatic aerodynamic improvements, including new engine cowlings, the addition of winglets, and Hartzell’s five-blade carbon fiber composite scimitar propeller.
Hartzell’s design maximizes blade chord thickness and sweep, resulting in thin, light, and durable blades that contribute significantly to the TBM 900’s exceptional performance and sleek ramp appeal. The prop’s thinner airfoil is made possible due to carbon fiber’s significant strength and our proprietary composite propeller construction techniques.
In 2023, Daher celebrated the delivery of the 500th TBM 900-series aircraft, a milestone that reflects the continued global market demand for the high-performing aircraft.
In 2022, Daher debuted two new aircraft: the TBM 960 and Kodiak 900. Both aircraft are factory-equipped with Hartzell 5-blade composite propellers, specifically designed to reduce overall weight, improve takeoff distance, climb and cruise speed, and contribute to limiting noise and vibration.
Hartzell five-blade composite propeller STCs are also available for retrofit on the TBM 850 and Kodiak 100 aircraft under the Top Prop performance propeller conversion program, providing current owners access to the latest composite propeller technology with Hartzell’s industry-leading warranty.
To learn more about upgrading to a Hartzell composite aircraft propeller, talk to our Top Prop experts.
