Do you know what you are flying behind?

Hartzell Structural Carbon Fiber vs. Wood-Core “Composites”

Not all “composite” propellers are alike. When reliability matters most, it’s important to know exactly what you’re flying behind.

Hartzell’s structural carbon fiber composite blades are up to 10X stronger than “natural composites” (wood), enabling thinner, more aerodynamic designs for shorter takeoffs, faster climbs, and increased cruise performance.

Core Differences

Wood core “composite” blades rely on laminated wood as their primary structure, with only a thin composite shell, leaving them vulnerable to moisture penetration, sap leaching, grease leaks, and lag screw concerns.

Hartzell carbon fiber blades are structurally superior. Thick, load-bearing spars and multiple layers of carbon fiber and resin form the backbone of each blade—the carbon structure itself carries the loads. A synthetic core simply provides shape and vibration dampening, but the strength is all carbon.

The Proof is in the Performance

Engineered to enhance the performance of advanced aircraft like the Cirrus SR22, Hartzell’s carbon fiber propellers combine superior strength with aerodynamic efficiency. Flight test comparisons under identical conditions show clear performance gains over wood-core composites.