Press Releases

Hartzell Top Prop STC for Pilatus PC-6 Turbo Porter

Piqua, Ohio, September 4, 2013…The venerable Pilatus PC-6 Turbo Porter is the newest beneficiary of a Hartzell Top Prop performance conversion certification. Turned by either a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-20 or PT6A-27 gas turbine engine, Hartzell’s lightweight, 4-blade propeller measures 96 inches in diameter for reduced noise and improved runway clearance, over the original 3-blade propeller

The STC kit (SA3377CH) includes a lightweight aluminum hub, a polished-aluminum spinner, de-ice boots where applicable, and documentation for certification in USA, Canada, China, EASA countries (France), Brazil and Indonesia, with pending certification validation in Japan and Russia.

This new propeller boasts a time before overhaul (TBO) of 6 years/ 4000 hours. Top Prop Plus 3(TM) warranty extends to 3 years/1000 hours.

The new Top Prop is also available as optional equipment on new production aircraft at the Pilatus factory in Stans, Switzerland.

The PC-6 Turbo-Porter is notable for its spectacular, nose-high, STOL performance.

Mike Trudeau, Top Prop general manager, says, “The iconic Turbo Porter is a spectacular airplane. It can take off in less than 1500 feet with several skydivers on board, climb at more than 1000 feet per minute to jump altitudes, and land in less than 1500 feet. Our newly-revived 4-blade conversion propeller will generate less aerodynamic noise and improve ground clearance to minimize foreign object damage.”

Price of the PC-6 Top Prop from Hartzell and its approved service centers (Recommended Service Providers) worldwide is $30,200, or $32,800 with de-ice equipment installed.

The Top Prop Program at Hartzell started in 1991 with the purchase of three, three blade, prop-only STCs. These conversions were for the Mooney M20, the Piper Arrow, and the Cessna Cardinal. These three conversions are still in the catalog today. The current catalog offers over 65 company owned STCs, and over 170 unique conversion kits.

Hartzell Propeller is widely recognized as the leader in advanced constant speed propeller design and manufacturing technology. The company has developed the next generation of propellers based upon innovative “blended airfoil” technology and is manufacturing these blades using a combination of revolutionary machining centers and robotics; and with its new ASC-II(TM) composite technology, to provide mission-optimized performance for its customers.

Hartzell Propeller traces its beginnings in 1917 to a business relationship with Orville Wright and was founded on the principle of “Built on Honor” – a tradition that continues today.