Press Releases

STC Obtained for 78-inch Three-Blade Propeller

PIQUA, Ohio – May 24, 2000 — Hartzell Propeller Inc. announced today that it has developed a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for installation of its 78-inch three-blade propeller on the SOCATA TB 20 Trinidad and TB 21 Trinidad TC aircraft. Hartzell worked closely with SOCATA on this program and SOCATA will be offering this propeller as a factory option on the improved GT models. It is also available for installation on earlier aircraft through the Hartzell Top Prop™ program.
Replacing the standard 80-inch diameter two-blade propeller, the 78-inch three-blade propeller offers an inch of additional ground clearance. The new propeller improves takeoff acceleration by 6 percent, demonstrating climb improvements and cabin noise reduction during flight testing. While cruise speeds were unchanged with the TB 20 (normally aspirated) aircraft, improvements of several knots were seen with the TB 21 (turbocharged) aircraft. In addition, climb improvements of 40 to 100 feet/min were determined during TB 21 flight testing.

The Top Prop kit offers the 78-inch propeller, a polished aluminum spinner and STC documents. An optional anti-ice system is also available for the propeller on aircraft equipped with the factory anti-ice system.

Top Prop features improved service and maintenance benefits including a six year, 2,400 TBO (The longest service interval available). The propeller also has the Hartzell Plus Three™ warranty, covering parts and service for three years or 1,000 hours. List price for the Top Prop kit is $7,450 or $8,350 with the anti-ice system.

Hartzell propeller conversions offer pilots one of the easiest and most economical methods for improving the performance of their aircraft. With a wide variety of Beech, Cessna, Commander, Mooney, Piper, and now SOCATA aircraft kits available, the Top Prop family represents the largest and most complete propeller conversion offering in the world.

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.