Designed Specifically for 12-Volt Experimental and Home-Built Aircraft

Hartzell Engine Tech announced the expansion of its leading Sky-Tec brand with the new line of lightweight engine starters designed for experimental and home-built aircraft with 12-volt electrical systems. The new series of starters are designated the “XP’ line and will be available through Hartzell Engine Tech’s global distribution network in the first quarter of 2026.

Expected to retail for under $1,000, the new starters offer a high-value solution for owners of experimental aircraft and builders looking for quality, affordability, and performance.

While the new models do not have FAA Form 8130 airworthiness certification, they are brand-new production starters made in the same factory in Montgomery, Alabama, that manufactures Hartzell’s certified Sky-Tec products.

Marolous Cebulka, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Hartzell Engine Tech said, “These new Sky-Tec XP starters make flying more affordable and accessible for the experimental market while maintaining the same engineering excellence that pilots have come to expect from Hartzell Engine Tech. They’re a fit for any Lycoming-powered homebuilt kit, combining reliability, lightweight performance, and affordability.”

Sky-Tec is a brand that represents a combination of legacy starters as well as newer designs that are combined under the umbrella of Hartzell Engine Tech. The Sky-Tec products take advantage of Hartzell Engine Tech’s engineering, manufacturing, and testing resources as they continue to set the standard for engine starters used in the general, business, and experimental aviation segments.

FMI:  hartzell.aero/