Van's Aircraft, the world's leader in kitplane manufacture with more than 6,000 aircraft completed and flying, is now offering Hartzell Propeller's new ASC-II "advanced composite" constant speed propellers for application on its current line of offerings. Van's RV models powered by Lycoming -360 engines will accept the new Hartzell 2-blade ASC-II composite props, while the RV-10 with Lycoming -540 power plants can use the new 3-blade composite propeller.

Hartzell's advanced composite blades comprise a proprietary layup of carbon fiber and, Kevlar®, with co-molded electroformed nickel leading edges and an integral stainless steel shank. Hartzell's 2-bladed ASC-II propeller is 16 pounds lighter than its 2-bladed aluminum counterpart. The 3-blade composite propeller for the RV-10 adds a blade over the Hartzell 2-blade blended airfoil prop with only a 10 pound weight penalty.

Additionally, even though Van's aircraft are licensed 'experimental', testing by Hartzell necessary for FAA propeller certification has been accomplished including stringent bird strike and lightning strike testing as well as stress surveys to demonstrate compatibility with these engines. Even though certified propellers are not required for experimental aircraft, the use of one allows the fly-off requirement to be reduced to 25 hours, from the 40 hours required for experimental propellers, provided the prop is mounted to an approved certified engine.

Rob Hickman, president of Advanced Flight Systems Inc., makers of electronic engine monitoring, AOA, and EFIS systems for experimental aircraft, confirmed, "Everyone who has flown in my RV-10 with the Hartzell ASC-II composite propeller says that it's the smoothest single engine plane they have ever flown in.   "The new Harzell composite propeller has also made a remarkable difference in the flying qualities of my RV-4.  It's incredibly smooth and the 16 lbs I saved over the old propeller makes a noticeable difference in how well it flies."

Mike Disbrow, Hartzell's senior vice-president, marketing and business development, said the warranty (1 year, 1,000 hours) and TBO (6 years/2,400 hours) on the Van's applications match those on certificated aircraft.

"We have plans to expand our line of composite props after years of research and development with carbon and Kevlar materials," Disbrow said. "Every pound saved is weight you don't have to fly around for the life of the airplane. Apart from the benefits of smoothness, lower noise and performance, it adds up to significant fuel savings," he added.

Builders are able to order these propellers direct from Van's Aircraft. Van's lists the 2-blade, model numbers HC-C2YR-1N/N7605-2 or -4, at $10,920, while the 3-blade, model number HC-C3YR-1N/N7605 is $15,220.

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. Hartzell traces its beginnings in 1917 to a relationship with Orville Wright and was founded on the principle of "Built on Honor" - a tradition that continues today.