Performance Propeller — Custom Wood Aircraft Propellers

Performance Propeller Aviation LLC — Est. 1988

Handcrafted Precision Custom Wood

Propellers.

Built to your engine, your airframe, and your mission. Every prop leaves our shop balanced and ready to fly.

1988 Established
6 Engine families
USA Made in
The craft

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.

1988
Established Over three decades of handcrafted precision — and still building every prop by hand.
Select hardwood
Natural damping properties that composites can't match
Engine-matched geometry
Diameter and pitch dialed to your power curve
Made in the USA
Domestic build, direct support, no import delays
EAB-appropriate
Built specifically for FAA Experimental Amateur-Built

Performance Propeller Aviation LLC
Find your prop

Select your engine Shop by powerplant

Every prop is built to your engine and airframe. Start here.

Tractor · Standard

Lycoming Wood Propeller

Starting from
$3,250
  • Common enginesO-320, O-360, IO-360
  • Typical airframesRV-6, RV-7, RV-9, RV-14
  • ConfigurationTractor, direct drive
  • MaterialSelect hardwood laminate
Order / Spec this prop
Pusher · Reversed rotation

Lycoming Pusher-Type

Starting from
$3,250
  • Common enginesO-320, O-360, IO-360
  • ConfigurationPusher, reverse rotation
  • Use caseCanard & pusher designs
  • MaterialSelect hardwood laminate
Order / Spec this prop
Not sure which to order?

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 us
Tractor · Standard

Continental Wood Propeller

Starting from
$3,250
  • Common enginesC-85, C-90, O-200, IO-240
  • Typical airframesRV-6, Kitfox, Zenith
  • ConfigurationTractor, direct drive
  • MaterialSelect hardwood laminate
Order / Spec this prop
Continental note

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 us
Gearbox drive

Rotax Wood Propeller

Starting from
$2,400
  • Common enginesRotax 912, 912S, 914
  • Typical airframesRV-12, Zenith, Savannah
  • ConfigurationReduction gearbox
  • MaterialSelect hardwood laminate
Order / Spec this prop
Rotax note

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 us
Direct drive

VW Wood Propeller

Starting from
$2,000
  • Common enginesVW Type 1, 1600–2180cc
  • Typical airframesAffordaplane, Sonex, KR-2
  • ConfigurationDirect drive
  • MaterialSelect hardwood laminate
Order / Spec this prop
Ultralight · LSA

½VW · Hummel Propeller

Starting from
$1,600
  • Common enginesHummel B, ½VW conversions
  • Typical airframesHummel Bird, ultralight
  • ConfigurationDirect drive, smaller diameter
  • MaterialSelect hardwood laminate
Order / Spec this prop
Radial · Specialty

Verner Wood Propeller

Starting from
$2,000
  • Common enginesVerner Scarlett, JM series
  • Typical airframesReplica / vintage designs
  • ConfigurationSpecify at order
  • MaterialSelect hardwood laminate
Order / Spec this prop
Replica & vintage

Period-correct builds welcome

Verner-powered builds are often period replicas. Talk to us about finish and appearance alongside performance specs.

Contact us
How it works

From blank to balanced

01

Specify your install

Engine model, horsepower, redline RPM, gearbox ratio if applicable, and your airframe. We need the full picture before touching wood.

02

Select geometry

Diameter and pitch calculated for your power curve and mission — climb, cruise, or a balanced combination. No guesswork, no charts to decode.

03

Build & finish

Laminated hardwood blanks are shaped, carved, and hand-finished. Each prop is statically balanced before it leaves the shop.

04

Delivered ready to fly

Shipped to your door with documentation. Direct access to us if any questions come up during installation.

Popular installs

Common airframes we build for

Don't see yours? Ask us
Van's RV-7
Lycoming O-320 / O-360
Popular
Van's RV-6
Lycoming O-320 / Continental O-200
Popular
Van's RV-9A
Lycoming O-320 / O-235
Available
Van's RV-12
Rotax 912 ULS
Available
Van's RV-4
Lycoming O-320 / O-360
Available
Van's RV-8
Lycoming IO-360 / AEIO-360
Available
Van's RV-14
Lycoming IO-390
Available
Zenith CH-750
Rotax 912 / Continental O-200
Available
KR-2
VW conversion
Available
Kitfox Series 7
Rotax 912 / Continental O-200
Available
Hummel Bird
½VW / Hummel conversion
Available
Your build
Contact us with engine + airframe
Ask us
Common questions

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
Performance Propeller Aviation LLC

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.

Performance Propeller Aviation LLC
Ready to order?

Let's build your prop Est. 1988

Tell us your engine, your airframe, and your mission. Handcrafted precision — since 1988.