Sharing experience and shaping the future: Gerd Mühlbauer visits Hoffmann Propeller
How did proven propeller designs come into being? What experience lies behind their technical details? And what can we learn from them when developing something new? These questions were at the heart of Gerd Mühlbauer’s visit to Hoffmann Propeller. A team of development engineers and senior managers welcomed the pioneer of modern propeller engineering to Rosenheim for an exchange of technical insights and personal experiences.
For Mühlbauer, the visit also marked a return to a former workplace. Before founding MT-Propeller and building it into one of the world’s leading manufacturers of natural composite propellers, he worked at Hoffmann Propeller, ultimately in a technical leadership role. He shares a particularly close connection with Ludwig Hoffmann, whose work played a major role in shaping wood composite propeller construction and whom Mühlbauer describes as his mentor.
From the early days to today’s engineering Questions
Mühlbauer took the group back to Hoffmann’s beginnings in the 1950s and explored the history of German propeller engineering even before the Second World War. He spoke about the evolution of historic designs and patents, as well as his own work in Rosenheim. Personal anecdotes brought to life how customer requirements led to technical solutions, such as lightweight variable-pitch propellers for motor gliders, and how he gradually expanded MT-Propeller’s presence in international markets.
The Hoffmann team had the opportunity to ask detailed questions about Hoffmann products and discuss the technical challenges they encounter in their own work. What began as a look back at the company’s history soon became a lively technical discussion: Why were particular design choices made? How do blade weight, pitch-change forces and material properties interact? And where is there scope to improve a proven design?
Aerodynamics also featured prominently. Topics ranged from the airfoil sections used and their transitions along the propeller blade to how calculations can be validated through wind tunnel testing and flight tests. Mühlbauer also described the development of propellers with higher blade counts and how concepts initially met with scepticism ultimately gained acceptance in the market.
Other topics included the properties of wood composite construction, protective coatings and the demands of different operating environments.
Mühlbauer made it clear that technical and business success takes more than luck: “You need the skills, of course.” For him, this includes a willingness to keep improving proven solutions and a consistent commitment to quality that begins in everyday working practices. “Order and cleanliness are the best path to quality,” he emphasised — a view we fully share at Hoffmann.
A market with a future and a shared belief in Wood
Beyond the technical questions, the discussion explored the evolution of international propeller markets and the future of the industry. “One thing is clear: people will always fly,” Mühlbauer emphasised. He sees a lasting need particularly in flight training: “Training aircraft will continue to use propellers.”
He also welcomed Hoffmann’s continued commitment to wood composite construction. Through their respective experience and products, both companies help demonstrate the advantages of this technology and advance its development.
Inspiration for our engineering work
For our team, the visit was an opportunity to discuss technical questions with someone who has helped shape propeller engineering over many decades.
“For me personally, the exchange was very valuable. My work at Hoffmann Propeller involves a wide range of technical questions, and I was able to benefit from Mr Mühlbauer’s many years of experience in technical leadership. Conversations like these offer fresh perspectives, motivate us and give us further impetus to explore technical questions in greater depth and develop new ideas,” says development engineer Sebastian Neubert.
Michael Schmähl, a development engineer specialising in propeller design and aerodynamics, also took away inspiration for his work: “Gerd Mühlbauer’s visit helped me learn more about the history of our company and its products. Looking back was inspiring and motivates me to build on past successes through my engineering work today.”
Building on experience to move Forward
The exchange reflects our ongoing transformation at Hoffmann. Since our fresh start last year, we have been investing in our engineering capabilities, improving processes and laying the foundations for future products and growth. This also means preserving existing knowledge and gaining a deeper understanding of the thinking behind proven solutions.
“We want to build on Hoffmann’s own strengths, combining our technical experience with new skills, tools and ideas,” says Managing Director Heintje Wyczisk, who invited Gerd Mühlbauer. “This exchange helps us better understand the thinking behind proven solutions and assess new approaches on a sound basis. Gerd Mühlbauer’s willingness to share the knowledge he has accumulated over decades with our team is particularly valuable for our transformation. It is up to us to put that knowledge to work as we continue to develop.”
At the end of the visit, Mühlbauer presented his book Luftschrauben – eine deutsche Geschichte and signed copies for employees. In this way, some of the knowledge shared during the visit remains accessible beyond the conversation itself.
We thank Gerd Mühlbauer for his visit and the open exchange. Through his pioneering technical developments and his work in building MT-Propeller into one of the world’s leading manufacturers of natural composite propellers, he has played a decisive role in shaping modern propeller engineering. His life’s work combines exceptional ingenuity with entrepreneurial vision.
Sharing his experience with today’s Hoffmann team made a highly valuable contribution to a dialogue that connects our company’s history with its continued development.