Hartzell Propeller and formation aerobatic group Team AeroDynamix have agreed to a multi-year partnership in which the propeller manufacturer is providing support and components to the team. The partnership includes Hartzellâs provision of ASC-II advanced structural composites propellers, spinners, governors and service through 2018.
Team AeroDynamix flies Vanâs RV-6s and installed the new ASC-II propellers on the fleet in June. âTakeoff acceleration and smoothness were obvious,â said Mike Stewart, team founder and flight lead. âThe look and feel of these propellers was dramatic from the start.â
According to J.J. Frigge, Hartzell executive vice president, one reason the company decided to invest in Team AeroDynamix is the team pilots will provide continuous feedback to Hartzell about the propellersâ performance in the demanding aerobatic environment. In addition to flying about 300 hours a year to and from airshows and for practice sessions, the RV-6s often are flown at maximum rpm and with high g loads and rapid power changes. âWe are thrilled to be partnering with Team AeroDynamix to âkeep âem flyingâ behind our propellers,â said Frigge. Team AeroDynamix is flying in the afternoon and night airshows here at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.
Hartzell also announced reaching 20,000 unit sales of its Top Prop line of two-, three- and four-bladed propeller conversions. Hartzell started offering Top Prop conversions in 1991, initially as a replacement of factory installed two-blade propellers with new three-blade replacements featuring the latest technology. Compared with the two-blade propellers, the new three-blade units improve performance while increasing ground clearance and lowering noise due to the reduced diameter.
The newest Top Props feature scimitar-shaped blended airfoils and carbon-fiber construction. Hartzell now has more than 65 Top Prop STCs and offers more than 170 propeller conversion kits. âEach Top Prop adds performance and value to candidate airplanes,â said Top Prop program director Mike Trudeau, âperhaps more than any other performance enhancement available.â