Does anyone have a comprehensive list of what engines the Hartzell Trailblazer is approved on? I've got a deposit on a early 182, and I'm wondering if anyone has put one on a P.Ponked 470, or one of the higher RPM O-470U's? I'm thinking that a prop is in my future, and I really only want to do this once

Curious, why a Trailblazer and not an MT?

Kurt

I don’t believe the trailblazer is approved on that engine/airframe combo yet. Only 550 on 185 and 580 on late model 182/206 with the wipline stc.I could be totally wrong but those were the only approvals I found a few months ago.

If you want to go composite on that airplane MT is your only easy option, I think...

Each to their own, but I’ll never spend a dime on an MT. My impressions are fragile and hard to get serviced. Nick a blade bad enough that its not field serviceable, and the whole set has to go to the factory. The overspeed at Reno and subsequent shedding of all blades was the last straw for me.

Say what you want about Hartzell, but their blade retention system is much much stronger. If you need a blade, you can order one... oh and I can get it serviced just about anywhere. I know plenty of people online love their MT’s, but everyone I’ve met in person that has had one has a story.

Wipaire holds the STC for the Trailblazer on the 182. If you ever upgraded to the IO550, it’s STC’d for that combo FYI. In the mean time, you might be able to talk to Wip/Hartzell about working out a field approval. Hartzell helped out with getting a field approval for the Voyager prop on the giveaway 182 (TS O520).

I like my MT but if I ever get a 550, I’d like to give the Trailblazer a try.

WorkingWarbirds wrote:Each to their own, but I’ll never spend a dime on an MT. My impressions are fragile and hard to get serviced. Nick a blade bad enough that its not field serviceable, and the whole set has to go to the factory. The overspeed at Reno and subsequent shedding of all blades was the last straw for me.

Say what you want about Hartzell, but their blade retention system is much much stronger. If you need a blade, you can order one... oh and I can get it serviced just about anywhere. I know plenty of people online love their MT’s, but everyone I’ve met in person that has had one has a story.

In the Reno overspeed what RPM did the MT shed its blades?

If an MT blade is nicked bad enough that it requires service would a Hartzell blade nicked in the same scenario with the same damage need servicing?

What makes a Trailblazer less fragile than an MT?

Can your local prop shop service your Trailblazer blades such as leading edge replacement, repairing nicks in the composite portion of the blade or blade strip and refinish or does it have to factory?

Can you describe this blade retention system to me and why the MT is inferior to Hartzell?

Other than the Reno incident you speak of, are there any other MT’s shedding blades and if so under what circumstances?

Having owned many MT’s over the years and owning one currently I would like to know what I can expect. Am I going to sling a blade? Should I be looking into replacing my MT with a Trailblazer?

I had a seal issue with my current MT and my prop shop 2 hours away fixed it promptly. This same shop is set up to do complete overhaul and repairs including leading edge replacement that makes sending the prop to the factory except in very rare cases unnecessary. I also had a different MT that was damaged in a hangar rash incident that required leading edge replacement and the prop did not need to go back to the factory. This same hangar rash incident would have damaged any other prop so it wasnt because the MT is fragile. I realize there have been issues with the finish and seals but there sure is a lot of misinformation out there concerning the MT, since you seem to know quite a bit about the MT can you please enlighten me with the facts?

Kurt

Anyone who thinks Hartzell props have never “shed a blade” might want to do a bit more research. One of the hub ADs on Hartzell compact hubs was for cracking, which could cause “failures”. I've been shown failed Hartzell hubs. Are they any worse than MT? Who knows? But, there have been failures.

And, frankly, I suspect if you dig a bit, you'd find similar kinds of issues with almost every propeller manufacturer.

Propellers are arguably the most highly stressed component on an airplane.....well, okay, maybe the engine, but......

MTV

Frankly? No, this isn’t supposed to be about MT. They’ll never get my money, and thats that. I asked a question about a prop I’m interested in, I’ve got plenty of experience to base my preferences on, and I’m not trying to convince anyone else that my opinion should influence them.

Basically, I want to run a Trailblazer on an O-470R and then a Pponk or similar engine. Wondering if anyone has gone down that road before?

WorkingWarbirds wrote:Frankly? No, this isn’t supposed to be about MT. They’ll never get my money, and thats that. I asked a question about a prop I’m interested in, I’ve got plenty of experience to base my preferences on, and I’m not trying to convince anyone else that my opinion should influence them.

Basically, I want to run a Trailblazer on an O-470R and then a Pponk or similar engine. Wondering if anyone has gone down that road before?

Ok fair enough, but I did a bit of digging and with the RPM that the airplane in the blade shedding incident achieved at Reno there isn't a prop made that would have retained the blades.

I have experience with the Trailblazer but not on a Ponked 182 or 0-470R 182.

WorkingWarbirds wrote:Frankly? No, this isn’t supposed to be about MT. They’ll never get my money, and thats that. I asked a question about a prop I’m interested in, I’ve got plenty of experience to base my preferences on, and I’m not trying to convince anyone else that my opinion should influence them.

Basically, I want to run a Trailblazer on an O-470R and then a Pponk or similar engine. Wondering if anyone has gone down that road before?

Try calling Hartzell. And good luck.

MTV

I heard later this year for Hartzell & Pponk STC.

I have not been able to get a quote yet.

nickelb wrote:I heard later this year for Hartzell & Pponk STC.

I have not been able to get a quote yet.

At last year's Alaska show the Hartzell guys said about a year...


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I ran a HC Trailblazer on my Lycoming O-360 powered 'Super 170' along with all three of the MT models also approved for that plane. The HC Trailblazer is the best prop HC makes, period! It sets a high bar for performance and weight. The introduction of that model is what prompted the design and development of the MT Ultra for the Lyc 4-cyl powered aircraft. The design criteria was the MT Ultra had to outperform the HC Trailblazer in all phases of flight. It was not easy to accomplish, but MT managed to do it. We love good competition! The MT advantages regardless of performance were vibration dampening, no life limits and repairability. Price for either is about the same. TBO is the same. O/H cost is a bit lower for MT.

Thank you for the dialog.

I want a Hartzell Trailblazer for my 182S.

Hope they certify it soon.

D.