Page 44 - Volume 15 Number 3

Hartzell Propeller Inc., has developed a new two- bladed Top Prop propeller conversion kit for Piper PA-23-250 Aztec twin-engine aircraft. The cost- efficient conversion provides Aztec owners with improved reliability, performance and noise levels.The new 77-inch diameter propeller uses blade-mounted counterweights to provide redundant assistance to the propeller pitch control and feathering system versus the original configuration that relies heavily on an air pressure charge for these functions. Hartzell’s swept-tip Scimitar “blended airfoil” blade design used in this conversion provides an increase in cruise speed of two to three knots as well as a noise reduction of almost 2 dB(a).The new propellers are available for Piper Aztec PA-23-250 C to F models, serial numbers 27-2505 through to 27-8154030, installed with Lycoming IO-540-C4B5 or TIO-540-C1A engines. They replace Hartzell’s two-blade, aluminum, non- counterweighted propeller models normally installed on these aircraft.The kit can be ordered with either a 14- or 28-volt de-ice systemand includes composite spinners. Total installed weight is 62 pounds per side. Installation time is just a few hours, and the conversion does not require any change to the propeller governors.Available directly from Hartzell or through Hartzell’s dealers, the basic kit is offered at an introductory retail price of $21,950, with a three-year/1,000-hour warranty and six-year/2,400-hour TBO. To date, more than 17,000 Top Prop conversions have been delivered to aircraft owners and operators around the world. T&TWally David, president and CEO, SimCom Training Centers, announced SimCom has completed the acquisition of the former PrestoSIM training center located near the Dallas/Ft. Worth Texas International Airport. SimCom said it would expand the former PrestoSIM operations by updating the existing simulators and adding new flight training devices and training courseware. SimCom will retain many of the existingstaff, with additional instructors and office staff added to meet the increased demand.In addition to the Cessna Citation 500 series and King Air Model 200 training courses, SimCom will be adding simulator training for the King Air C90, King Air C90B, all turboprop-powered Twin Commander models, Piper Cheyenne/II and Cessna 421. Full 180-degree, wrap-around visuals have been added to the TurboCommander and King Air 200 simulators, with other simulators scheduled for the same visual upgrade as soon as possible. Both Initial and Recurrent courses for each model will be available, divided between classroom and hands-on simulator time. In-aircraft flight training can also be arranged.“We are very excited and proud of our new SimCom expansion plans in the Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX area,” said David. “The addition of the new training center in Dallas/Ft. Worth should really be attractive to those customers desiring simulator training who reside in either Central or South America. The new Dallas/Ft. Worth location should be a perfect•location for them, keeping travel costs and times to a minimum.” T&TEN ROUTEHartzell Propeller Introduces New Prop for Piper Aztec AircraftSimCom Training Centers Expands to Dallas•For more information on the new Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX loca- tion, contact SimCom Train- ing Centers at (800) 272-0211 or visit SimCom’s Web site at www.simulator.com42 • ­TWIN & TURBINEMARCH 2011