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Here at Hartzell, we take pride in partnering with industry-leading aircraft manufacturers who share our commitment to quality, performance, and support.
Piper Aircraft is one of these prolific partners, known for creating several iconic general aviation aircraft and offering some of the best values in the sky.
Keep reading to learn more about Piper’s history and current innovations:
Piper Aircraft was founded in 1937 by William T. Piper, when he purchased the Taylor Brothers Aircraft Manufacturing Company. From the very beginning, Piper sought to develop private aircraft that were simple to operate and low-cost — even during the Great Depression. The newly renamed aircraft manufacturer immediately ramped up production and went on to introduce the iconic Piper J-3 Cub that same year.
An evolution of the Taylor E-2 model, the Piper J-3 Cub was designed to be simple and affordable so it could be mass-produced for anyone licensed to fly. That goal was accelerated when the J-3 was selected as the primary training aircraft for the Civilian Pilot Training (CPT) program, which was established to create a pool of pilots in anticipation of the United States’ entry into WWII.
By the time the war ended, 75% of all CPT-trained pilots had learned to fly in Piper Cubs, which were used in wartime efforts for reconnaissance, ambulance, and supply transport. In the wake of WWII, thousands of ex-military Cubs were re-registered as civilian aircraft and sold by the government at an affordable price to the public, including many returning soldiers who had trained in them. When production ended in 1947, nearly 20,000 Piper Cubs had been built. The reliable aircraft is still just as beloved by pilots today — as of 2022, nearly 4,000 Cubs remain active on the FAA aircraft registry.
The legendary Cub is only part of Piper’s story. In 1951, the PA-22 Tri-Pacer was introduced, featuring nosewheel landing gear in an effort to create an easy, safer flying experience.
1954 saw the introduction of the Apache, Piper’s first twin-engine, all-metal aircraft. This was followed by the Comanche in 1958 and the Cherokee in 1961, which would influence a number of other Piper general aviation aircraft into the 1980s.
Hartzell propellers have been standard equipment on most of Piper’s product lines since the mid-1950s, and several after-market propeller upgrades are available on legacy Piper aircraft through our Top Prop propeller STC conversion program.
Today, Hartzell props equip the entire prestigious Piper “M Class,” designed to offer best-in-class performance and safety features combined with stylish, elegant luxury.
In 2024, Piper debuted the first in a new generation of the Piper M-Class family, the M700 Fury. The sleek new turboprop features the powerful and dependable Pratt & Whitney PT6A-52 engine paired with a five-blade carbon fiber composite propeller from Hartzell.
With a more powerful engine and propeller combination, the M700 delivers an impressive climb rate (3,432 feet per minute) and significant improvements in takeoff distance (1,994 feet) and landing distance (1,950 feet). The M700’s maximum cruise speed is 301 ktas, 27 knots faster than its predecessor, the M600.
More than 85 years after the Cub took its first flight, generations of owners and operators continue to choose Piper aircraft for their performance, safety, and value.
Hartzell Propeller is proud to offer propellers for factory-new Piper aircraft and Top Prop STC propeller conversions for legacy aircraft. If you’re ready to upgrade the aircraft propeller on your Piper airplane, contact us today to learn about the options available for your specific make and model.
NEW: Propeller Trade-In Program — Hartzell Wants Your Prop!
Did you know? You can now reduce the purchase price of a new or used Hartzell propeller by selling your existing serviceable propeller of any general aviation aircraft make or model!*
Get in touch with our team to learn more about trading in your used aircraft propeller.
*Trade-in purchases are at the discretion of Hartzell Propeller, Inc. All core purchases require (a) complete logbook information detailing maintenance history, (b) applicable 8130-3 certificates, and (c) a recorded Time Since New (TSN).
