Texas Turbine Conversions, working with Hartzell Propeller, has received FAA approval to allow Supervan conversion customers to choose either structural composite props or aluminum props as part of their conversion package.
“Now Cessna Caravan owners and operators with the Supervan turboprop conversion can choose between a 110-inch diameter structural composite prop or the more economical 109.5 diameter aluminum option. Both propellers are four-blade and offer a 60 pound or 25 pound weight savings, respectively, over the original Supervan propeller,” said Hartzell Propeller President JJ Frigge. “And they both can get Hartzell Propeller’s six-year, 4,000 hours TBO.”
“Hartzell has provided outstanding support for our engine-conversion program and our customers by developing both aluminum and composite propellers designed to maximize the performance of the Supervan conversion,” said Texas Turbine Conversions President Bobby Bishop. “The result is a true 200+ knot airplane, with a 40% reduction in takeoff roll and a substantially greater rate of climb.”
Both the composite and aluminum propellers were designed specifically for the Honeywell 950 shaft horsepower TPE331 engines by Hartzell’s engineering team for the Supervan-modified 208 and 208B Caravans, according to company officials.
Texas Turbine Conversions has modified aircraft with the Honeywell (Garrett) TPE331 engines for more than 25 years. The company holds multiple STCs for engine modifications on numerous aircraft platforms.
Specializing in Cessna 208/208B Caravans, CASA 212-200 Aviocar, and deHavilland DHC-3 Otters, the company has modified and delivered more than 200 aircraft all over the world.