Performance Propeller — Custom Wood Aircraft Propellers
Handcrafted Precision Custom Wood
Propellers.
Built to your engine, your airframe, and your mission. Every prop leaves our shop balanced and ready to fly.

A prop built for
your aircraft.
Not off the shelf.
Performance Propeller Aviation LLC has been building handcrafted precision wood propellers since 1988. Every prop is specced to the exact combination of your engine, airframe, and intended mission — whether that's cruise efficiency, climb performance, or the balance between both.
Wood propellers remain the choice of experienced experimental builders for good reason: natural vibration damping, field repairability, and a proven track record across Lycoming, Continental, Rotax, VW, Verner, and ½VW powerplants. No off-the-shelf guesswork. No compromises.

Select your engine Shop by powerplant
Every prop is built to your engine and airframe. Start here.
Lycoming Wood Propeller
- Common enginesO-320, O-360, IO-360
- Typical airframesRV-6, RV-7, RV-9, RV-14
- ConfigurationTractor, direct drive
- MaterialSelect hardwood laminate
Lycoming Pusher-Type
- Common enginesO-320, O-360, IO-360
- ConfigurationPusher, reverse rotation
- Use caseCanard & pusher designs
- MaterialSelect hardwood laminate
Talk to us first
If you're unsure about diameter, pitch, or tractor vs. pusher config — reach out. We'll spec it right the first time.
Contact usContinental Wood Propeller
- Common enginesC-85, C-90, O-200, IO-240
- Typical airframesRV-6, Kitfox, Zenith
- ConfigurationTractor, direct drive
- MaterialSelect hardwood laminate
Specs vary — ask us
Continental prop specs vary more than most. Let us confirm diameter and pitch for your specific install before you order.
Contact usRotax Wood Propeller
- Common enginesRotax 912, 912S, 914
- Typical airframesRV-12, Zenith, Savannah
- ConfigurationReduction gearbox
- MaterialSelect hardwood laminate
Gearbox ratio matters
Rotax props are matched to your gearbox reduction ratio (2.27:1 or 3.47:1). Have your engine spec sheet ready — or contact us and we'll walk you through it.
Contact usVW Wood Propeller
- Common enginesVW Type 1, 1600–2180cc
- Typical airframesAffordaplane, Sonex, KR-2
- ConfigurationDirect drive
- MaterialSelect hardwood laminate
½VW · Hummel Propeller
- Common enginesHummel B, ½VW conversions
- Typical airframesHummel Bird, ultralight
- ConfigurationDirect drive, smaller diameter
- MaterialSelect hardwood laminate
Verner Wood Propeller
- Common enginesVerner Scarlett, JM series
- Typical airframesReplica / vintage designs
- ConfigurationSpecify at order
- MaterialSelect hardwood laminate
Period-correct builds welcome
Verner-powered builds are often period replicas. Talk to us about finish and appearance alongside performance specs.
Contact usFrom blank to balanced
Specify your install
Engine model, horsepower, redline RPM, gearbox ratio if applicable, and your airframe. We need the full picture before touching wood.
Select geometry
Diameter and pitch calculated for your power curve and mission — climb, cruise, or a balanced combination. No guesswork, no charts to decode.
Build & finish
Laminated hardwood blanks are shaped, carved, and hand-finished. Each prop is statically balanced before it leaves the shop.
Delivered ready to fly
Shipped to your door with documentation. Direct access to us if any questions come up during installation.
Common airframes we build for
Everything about wood props
Answers to the questions we hear most from experimental builders — from first-time buyers to experienced RV pilots.
Ask a different question
Yes. Under FAA Experimental Amateur-Built (EAB) rules, builders have broad latitude in propeller choice. Wood propellers are one of the oldest and most widely used options in homebuilt aviation — no FAA-PMA approval required for EAB aircraft, and the track record goes back decades.
Diameter is primarily constrained by engine RPM limit and ground clearance. Pitch determines the trade-off between climb and cruise — higher pitch favors cruise, lower pitch favors climb. We calculate both based on your engine model, horsepower, and mission. For most builders, one phone call or email is all it takes to land on the right spec.
Yes — wood propellers work well on Rotax 912 and 912S engines. The key is matching the prop to your gearbox reduction ratio (2.27:1 or 3.47:1 are the most common). Rotax also has specific resonance ranges to avoid; we factor this into every Rotax spec we build.
Composite props like Catto and Sensenich offer higher stiffness and tend to edge ahead at the top of the performance envelope. Wood props offer superior natural vibration damping (excellent for older or rougher-running engines), they're repairable in the field with basic tools, and they cost less. Many experienced RV and homebuilt pilots choose wood for its forgiving characteristics and outstanding cost-to-performance ratio.
Lead times vary by engine type and current shop volume. Contact us directly for a straight answer. If you're working toward a first-flight date or airshow season, tell us — we'll do our best to accommodate.
Yes — every Performance Propeller is statically balanced before it leaves our shop. We also recommend a dynamic balance after installation for the smoothest possible operation. We carry prop balancers separately if you'd like to do this yourself.
One of the key advantages of wood is field repairability. Minor tip damage can often be addressed by an A&P with basic tools. For significant damage, contact us — we'll advise on repair vs. replacement for your specific situation.

Let's build your prop Est. 1988
Tell us your engine, your airframe, and your mission. Handcrafted precision — since 1988.