Hartzell Propellers

As I considered other propellers, I first ruled out the Hartzell. At the time, Hartzell recommended against using their props with either E.I. or high compression pistons, and I have both. Also, I am still mad at Hartzell for the way they screwed their customers over the numerous hub A.D.s they released during the last 10 years. Especially galling was the A.D. on the full feathering props (I owned a twin at the time) where we were offered inspections (at $1500 each) every 250 hours, or a real deal ($20K each) on new Hartzell props. I bought a pair of McCauleys at the time, and swore I would never do business with Hartzell again. The guys in the Cessna 180/185 club call it the "HartzHell" prop because of the ADs, and the "Simitar" blade they sell for the Skywagons the "Cemetary" blade due to it's poor climb performance.

However

After my adventure with the AeroComp prop in Mississippi, I took a second look, and re-evaluated my decision. It was pointed out to me by someone on the "RV email list" that the new, blended airfoil Hartzell was now approved for use with the O-360 A1A with electronic ignition. I called Hartzell, and spent a while on the phone with an engineer, and also with the sales manager. I also talked and emailed other RV racers with souped up engines. I decided to go ahead with a Hartzell as my best alternative. (Sometimes we buy Japanese cars too).

I found a freshly overhauled Hartzell HC-C2YK-1BF/F7666A-2   74" diameter 2-blade for sale on ebay. I talked to the seller, and the man who overhauled it, and when the bidding ended, I had bought it for $3550. The blades had been ground down a little too far, and so it is not certifiable, and may not be perfectly representative of the make and model.