Longer Wide-Chord Blades Especially Useful For Float Ops

Hartzell is talking up the premise that operators of Cessna A185E and A185F Skywagon aircraft can now achieve 'significantly improved takeoff performance' with Hartzell's 3-blade metal props featuring longer wide chord blades. Hartzell's STC provides two new Top Prop options, above its 80" diameter offering. At either 84" or 86" diameters, the new propellers, operated at 2700rpm, reduce acceleration-to-50-knots times by a measured 8.2 per cent over stock 80" propellers operated at 2850rpm. Hartzell believes this is especially useful for float and bush operations.

The larger diameter propellers were developed in response to market demand throughout the Cessna 185 community for better take-off performance. Hartzell's 80" diameter Top Prop propellers are considered to be good all around performers, but compromise some take-off performance. Longer diameters sacrifice some cruise performance to offer maximum take-off performance.

The new blades bring unprecedented choice to the A185 market, according to Mike Trudeau, Hartzell Top Prop program manager.

"Our continuing mission is to bring ever-better performance to aircraft through operator demand and intensive R&D," he said. "The new 86" propellers provide the ultimate in optimized takeoff performance, with limitations on continuous operation between 2250 and 2450 RPM; while the 84" will appeal to those who want exceptional takeoff performance without cruise RPM restrictions. In all cases, whether they are 80", 84" or 86", Hartzell Top Props offer improvements over the propellers initially installed at the Cessna factory," Trudeau added. "In engineering flight test, our 84" matched the take-off and climb performance of a competitor's 86" STC prop, and with lower noise and no cruise limitations.

"To witness a reduction of more than eight percent in acceleration times is strong confirmation that we were on the right path to performance. Whichever diameter Hartzell propeller is chosen, operators worldwide will benefit from our ongoing investment in efficiency and performance," he concluded.

Additionally, the propeller TBO, at 2400 hours / 6 years, is the longest offered for the A185.

The new 3-blade propeller kits include highly polished spinners and are available from Hartzell or though Top Prop dealers worldwide. List price for the kit is $9750 for either diameter.

FMI: www.hartzellprop.com