FAA approves Hartzell Talon propeller for GB1 Gamebird

Hartzell worked with well-known aerobatic pilot Sean D. Tucker on the three-blade Talon’s development. Tucker’s Gamebird received a field approval from the FAA in 2021 while he was performing comparison tests between the Talon and the standard four-blade propeller installed at the factory.

The company said retrofitting the 77.5-inch Talon propeller, which is available through its Top Prop program, results in improvements including a 5- to 8-percent increase in enroute climb at 120 knots and a 5-percent boost in maximum climb rate at 90 knots, and cuts the takeoff roll by more than 20 percent. The propeller also provides “exceptional propeller response and aerodynamic braking for formation flight and aerobatics,” Hartzell said. The Talon is rated for 1,000 hours or six years between overhauls and has unlimited life blades.

“The Talon propeller outperforms the factory-standard four-blade wood-core propeller in numerous ways,” said Hartzell Propeller President JJ Frigge. “With growing interest in the market, we’re excited to make this high-performance propeller available to all GB1 owners.”

Tucker, who performed many test flights with his GB1 under the field approval, said the aircraft’s performance gains with the Talon impressed him.

“In a head-to-head race between my GameBird equipped with the Talon and a factory-standard model, the difference was astounding. At full throttle, the Talon felt like having an extra 30 horsepower. The thrust improvement is unmatched,” Tucker said. “There’s nothing but good news here.”

The Talon costs $30,900 and is available for the entire GB1 fleet through the STC, but not as a factory option. The propeller was previously approved for Extra models 330SC and 300LT, and the 300L.