One Of Two Composite Props Certified For Aerobatic Use
Hartzell Propeller is displaying its new Claw 2.0 prop at
AirVenture 2010 in Oshkosh in the hands of aerobatic pilot Sean D.
Tucker flying his new Challenger III biplane.
Sean D. Tucker With Challenger III Biplane
The Claw 2.0 is an advanced structural composite propeller
produced using Hartzell's proprietary ASC-II technology. The
original "Claw" and the new Claw 2.0 are the only certified
advanced composite propellers available for aerobatic use.
The Hartzell Claw 2.0 was installed as the construction on
Tucker's new Challenger III was being completed last winter, and he
has now logged more than 150 flight hours with the new prop. Flying
more than 20,000 hours over his career, Tucker is one of the most
skilled and inventive aerobatic pilots in the world.
Tucker said, "I've been using the Claw 2.0 for six months now,
and I can't tell you how happy I am with its operation. It has
displayed superior performance at low airspeeds, and in high alpha
maneuvers, and pulls better than any of my other props. I've also
noticed it has improved my aileron effectiveness at low speeds.
"The advanced technology Hartzell has developed is truly
amazing; I've never used a prop with such obvious performance
improvements, both at low and high speeds."
Hartzell's senior vice-president of marketing and customer
services, Mike Disbrow said, "The true test for any new prop is the
feedback we receive from professional pilots like Sean Tucker. He
is validating the hard work of our engineers and manufacturing
people with the new Claw 2.0 aerodynamics and manufacturing process
and is demonstrating visible performance improvements that have led
to even more thrilling aerobatics; the kind you can see Sean
perform this year at Oshkosh and beyond."
The Hartzell prop is composed of a unique lamination of carbon
fiber and Kevlar, with an electroformed nickel leading edge erosion
shield. The composite structure is co-molded on an integral
stainless steel shank that accommodates bolt-on counterweights
needed for aerobatics.
Hartzell's Claw 2.0 kit is available for experimental category
Extra 300/330 aircraft and includes the 3-blade propeller and a
carbon composite spinner at a introductory price of $21,900, with a
three-year / 1,000-hour warranty and 6-year / 1,000-hour TBO.
Hartzell Propeller is widely recognized as the leader in
advanced 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 on revolutionary machining centers or with its new ASC-II
composite technology, to provide mission-optimized performance for
its customers. It 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.