I'm confused...

Hartzell is offering a discount to members of the RAF.

Per the RAF website, they do not operate with a traditional "membership" model, preferring the term "supporters".

https://www.theraf.org/what-no-annual-membership-dues-you-ask

I have donated in the past but not recently. As I recall I never received any response from my donations.... certainly not a "membership". I'm fine with that as I want to support them and didn't expect a membership number in return.

How does one get approved for the Hartzell discount based on RAF "membership"? Do I just tell the prop shop / Hartzell dealer that I'm a RAF member and they trust me? Do they call the RAF and ask if I've made a donation lately? Is there a minimum donation to be considered a "member"?

How do I prove membership in an organization that doesn't have members?

Call the RAF

It's Sunday afternoon. I doubt if they are answering their phones. I thought perhaps I could get some guidance here from someone with experience in this process before I meet with my mechanic early tomorrow... before anyone at the RAF is up and at 'em.

It is an interesting question, one I have wondered about. My guess is, if you know about the discount, you are probably a "member". I got the AOPA fuel discount at Aeromark a couple weeks back, they just asked if I was a member, I didn't have to prove it.

StillLearning wrote: My guess is, if you know about the discount, you are probably a "member".

Not necessarily. It's pretty public.

https://hartzellprop.com/press-release-hartzell-propeller-doubles-down-on-backcountry-flying-with-discount-for-raf-members-in-2026/

I'm not sure what your post shows.

Are they going to guilt you into donating money?

I was an RAF ambassador for years, other than the orange shirt and a hat, how would anyone know I was a "member"?

Keith, when you go to buy the prop make sure to mention you expect your $1000 RAF discount.

kg wrote:I'm confused...

Hartzell is offering a discount to members of the RAF.

Per the RAF website, they do not operate with a traditional "membership" model, preferring the term "supporters".

That is correct. At the RAF we do not charge a traditional membership fee. You decide what you want to donate. If you choose to donate nothing we call you a friend. On our webpage we have suggested donation amounts or you can choose your own.

I have donated in the past but not recently. As I recall I never received any response from my donations.... certainly not a "membership". I'm fine with that as I want to support them and didn't expect a membership number in return.

That is also correct, we do not send out membership cards.

How does one get approved for the Hartzell discount based on RAF "membership"? Do I just tell the prop shop / Hartzell dealer that I'm a RAF member and they trust me? Do they call the RAF and ask if I've made a donation lately? Is there a minimum donation to be considered a "member"?

How do I prove membership in an organization that doesn't have members?

Hartzell will verify with us that you support RAF and then the discount will apply. RAF sends out only one fund raising letter a year, in November.

Thank you Bonanza Man.

So, if you donate your time at work parties and the like, that doesn't count? Is there a minimum to "donate" to get the discount? To be a "member" you have to give money, but there is no "membership".

Seems like an odd system to me.

I donate every year to RAF, as I recall I get a thank you card from one of their "vice presidents of appreciation".
The last 2 years, I also got a thank you email from the area RAF rep, who is a local pilot that I know.
This year I also donated to the JRBAF, as I'm hoping to fly over & check out their 45 Ranch airstrip.
They get $100 a year for a membership,
which motivated me to donate $100 to RAF instead of my usual 50.
FWIW I donated to JRBAF over 6 weeks ago,
don't think I ever got any acknowledgement other than a credit card invoice email.

kg wrote:Per the RAF website, they do not operate with a traditional "membership" model, preferring the term "supporters".

I give to the RAF every year and have received thank-you notes from the organization. They have been active in my area and have even expanded airplane camping options at a nearby private airstrip. I also looked at the Hartzell Trailblazer prop, but it is lighter than my current metal prop and I have an aft CG bias in my W&B. The composite prop would exacerbate that challenge, so it's no-go for me. The metal Hartzell prop currently mounted develops harmonic vibrations that require redlining my RPM to avoid operations between 2000 and 2250 RPM. That blocks my typical sweet spot for cruise flight. 22 squared was traditionally where I tried to operate in other planes for the best balance between speed and lower operating costs. Sigh. Good luck with your prop swap!

I guess I titled this post wrong... I understand the RAF support process vs. traditional memberships. I was a bit confused by the Hartzell discount program referring to the RAF "members". Those two groups should probably get together and clarify their language.

But.. It's all sorted now. I ordered a new Voyager prop... super excited and hope it lives up to the hype. I talked to the dealer that I'm buying it from and he said to email him a copy of the receipt from my donation to the RAF. No mention of minimum donation and I didn't ask.

I was hoping to get it sooner but he said 4-6 weeks.... so now I wait.

Happy Flying

You will really enjoy the Voyager.

Two years ago I got involved with Hartzell and have been selling their props. In fact, for the last two years, I had the fortune of selling the most Voyagers on the planet. The 86" prop is outstanding and a no brainer for 470-50/520/550 powered Wagons. I've also gotten the FA's squared away for the 182 to run the 82".

I spoke to Hartz this AM about this question... It's a bit informal, but what they'd like is for you to donate to the RAF, then contact them for an eMail confirmation of your donation. With this, you can partake of the $1k discount. Make sure that you get your reseller to break it out on their invoice as there have been instances where the vendor has pocketed the discount. Get the quote first, then add the discount to the quote.

On top of this discount, and this is the important part, Hartz will donate $250 per prop to the RAF. Last year, they had almost 50 RAF donors contribute to RAF, and the the RAF received a subsequent donation for over $12k from Hartz. Their support of the community is one of the reasons I like working with Hartzell.

Additionally, and unlike the other composite choice where a $1500 fee is charged, if you decide to sell the prop for any reason, Hartzell reissues the paper for $500, however, in my experience, every time they have re-issued at no cost. Moreover, the warranty follows the prop up until TBO. They are standing behind their sh*t.

On a side note, if any BCP members needed a Hartzell, Trailblazer or Voyager, shoot me a DM. This site (and Zzz) are near and dear so any BCP prop sold, I'll donate $250 to BCP.