Press Releases

New Blended Airfoil Technology Provides Performance Improvement Over Previous Two- and Three-Blade Ovation Propellers.

PIQUA, Ohio – July 27, 2004 – Hartzell Propeller Inc. announced today that it was awarded an FAA STC for a new blended airfoil three-bladed propeller system applicable to all Mooney M20R Ovations. The propeller will be standard equipment on all new Ovations from the factory and will also be available as a retrofit through Hartzell’s successful Top Prop™ high performance propeller conversion program.

The 76″ diameter 3-blade compact series propeller utilizes Hartzell’s “blended airfoil” technology. This proprietary “blended” propeller design allows for the incorporation of different airfoils along progressive sections of a blade. In addition, the scimitar blade’s swept tips help to reduce noise and are highly twisted to provide outstanding cruise efficiency at Ovation operating conditions.

Development of the new Ovation propeller was accomplished in a cooperative venture with Mooney. Mooney wanted to combine the best performance elements of both the two- and three-bladed props that had been fitted to the Ovation over time. The new Hartzell achieved this goal while also reducing noise levels relative to the 2-blade … an increasingly important factor for operators in Europe.

The 3-blade Hartzell matches or exceeds the 2-blade cruise performance during typical operating conditions. Take-off ground roll is 40% shorter than with the 2-blade propeller and rate of climb is improved by more than 10%. In addition the new propeller reduces cabin and flyover noise, meeting stringent German, Austrian and Swiss guidelines. Initial acceleration and climb rates have even been improved over the original three-bladed Ovation propeller, from 5 to 20% depending on altitude. Finally, the new prop increases closed-throttle descents 7% which most pilots find helpful in reducing the Mooney’s tendency to “float” on landing.

“The original 3-blade Ovation propeller compromised cruise speed, the later 2-blade propeller compromised take-off performance. We tasked Hartzell to provide a propeller with no compromises and they delivered. Pilots will now be able to use the best performance charts in the POH for take-off, climb, and cruise,” said Nelson Happy, President of Mooney.

The Top Prop kit for the Ovation includes the three-bladed propeller, a polished spinner, and STC documentation. The price for the conversion is $9,495. An anti-iced option is being developed by AS&T and is expected to be available soon.

For more information about Hartzell’s Mooney M20R Ovation propeller conversion kit or any other Top Prop performance conversion, visit the Top Prop section of the Hartzell Web site at www.hartzellprop.com.

Hartzell Propeller Inc. is widely recognized as the leader in advanced propeller design and manufacturing technology. NASA has recognized Hartzell’s advanced design capability by naming it the exclusive propeller partner for its General Aviation Propulsion (GAP) program. The company has recently developed the next generation of propeller designs based upon innovative “blended airfoil” technology and is manufacturing these blades on revolutionary machining centers to provide mission optimized performance for its customers. Hartzell traces its beginnings in 1917 to a relationship with Orville Wright and was founded on the principal of Built on Honor – a tradition that continues today. For more information visit the company on the Web at www.hartzellprop.com