Piper Aircraft deploys new generation Hartzell "Top Prop"

Piper Aircraft will now deploy the latest addition to Hartzell Propeller's  Top Prop™ line up – an advanced second generation composite propeller –  on its Piper PA-46 Mirage and Matrix piston-engine aircraft, Piper executives announced here today.

The three-blade propellers offer significant weight savings, through a combination of carbon fiber and Kevlar® blades, and its new lightweight aluminum hub. This combination saves nearly 11 pounds on the nose versus Hartzell's first-generation advanced composite propeller that is currently standard on these aircraft. Additionally, this is Hartzell's first certification for the ASC-II approved for flight into known icing (FIKI) with its electrothermal de-ice system installed. Hartzell's ASC-II advanced composite blades comprise a proprietary layup of carbon fiber and Kevlar with an integral stainless steel shank and co-molded electroformed nickel leading edges.

"This new advanced, propeller, which we are offering as factory-installed, standard equipment – is a significant product improvement that will enable our customers to take their aircraft to new levels of performance," said Piper President John D. Becker.  "The weight savings and lower noise matched Hartzell's predicted targets, making this constant speed propeller a major product innovation for the Piper Mirage and Piper Matrix."

Given the location of the propeller, the weight reduction allows a few more gallons of fuel to be carried in the extreme-forward CG case which increases range.    Moreover, measured cruise performance was on-average nearly two knots faster than published POH speeds.  Flight testing also showed the use of the propeller reduced cylinder head temperatures (CHT) and oil temperatures significantly.