So I installed my new Hartzell Voyager today.

Short version: Better in every possible metric.

Long version:
Previous prop was a round tip 80” Hartzell Top Prop. The Voyager is 86”. The Voyager blades are much thinner, and have slightly swept, squared tips.

I was hoping it would be better for short field ops, and any improvement in climb would be welcome. Seemed like a safe bet given the glowing reviews of the Mac 401. Since I was going from 80 to 86”, I figured I might lose a few kts in cruise, but was willing to make the sacrifice for short field work. Previously I always planned 130 kts true, and usually saw 130-132, depending on weight. Flat out, 50 ROP I could get 137-138 true with the old prop.

Subjectively, the Voyager pulls quite a bit harder on takeoff. Climb is much, much better (on the order of 2-300 fpm at 95kts). And the cherry on top is cruise - it’s 6-8 kts faster. I ran 10 LOP at 6500, 7500, 8500, and 9500 ft. It’s a minimum of 6 kts faster at every altitude. The slowest I saw was 138 true, max was 141. It’s now the same speed LOP that it was ROP before. As a bonus, it runs cooler because of the higher speeds.

If I hadn’t seen it in my own plane, I wouldn’t have believed it.

Thank you for the pirep.

Was the prop dynamically balanced after install, and any thots about overall smoothness compared to previous prop?

Any feedback concerning external noise (my airport has significant noise monitoring)?

Happy holidays!

What is the total weight of the install?

This is the new 3 blade Hartzell?
How about a pic?

A buddy told me that a couple guys who are pretty visible in the skywagon "community"
were given props by Hartzell to try them out.
Sweet deal...esp if they're as good as reported.

Yep, you can go to Hartzellprop.com and look under their blog. Good write up on the fellows that had them installed.

I bought mine through Stene Aviation. I spoke with Willie at length about the prop (he replaced a Mac 401 with the Voyager) and a mutual friend who has a 180 and has flown Willie’s 185 before and after the Voyager install. Both were impressed. I am completely blown away - Willie saw 4-5 kts more speed vs the 401, and measurably better acceleration and climb. My improvements were even better than Willie’s. I couldn’t be happier.

I’ll have to look for the weight. I believe it’s 77 lbs w/spinner. It’s 1lb lighter than my 80”.

iPat wrote:Thank you for the pirep.

Was the prop dynamically balanced after install, and any thots about overall smoothness compared to previous prop?

Any feedback concerning external noise (my airport has significant noise monitoring)?

Happy holidays!

I have not had it balanced yet. It is much smoother at high RPM than my 80”, about the same at 2550 and 2400.

It is a touch quieter than the 86” Mac 401, but it’s still MUCH louder than my previous 80”. I’ll be using 2700 rpm for most takeoffs at my home airport to keep things neighborly. If you have noise monitoring, backing off the RPM will be required, IMO.

Awesome pirep, how much did it cost ? Any of you guys selling your old props ? I have an old 2 blade mac (c86?). I would like to upgrade as I am not making any friends at home!

Cheers

I want one
Is the price set in stone?