Under a recently approved STC, Hartzell Propeller’s five-blade composite propeller for Daher Kodiak 100 aircraft will be available as a factory option and for retrofit under Hartzell’s Top Prop program.
The propeller can replace the four-blade aluminum Hartzell prop, now standard equipment on Kodiak 100s, according to Hartzell officials.
The aerodynamic design of the new propeller’s carbon fiber blades allow RPM to be reduced from 2,200 to 2,000, reducing noise while producing smoother operations with no loss in climb and cruise performance, company officials added.
“This new lightweight propeller option gives Kodiak 100 pilots a 5% shorter takeoff roll, with less vibration and even quieter flights,” said Hartzell Propeller President JJ Frigge.
The new prop also provides noise reduction of six dB(A) compared to the current standard prop. As part of the STC flight test plan, measured flyover noise was 77 dB(A), significantly lower than the EASA requirement of 85 dB(A), and less than the strict German requirement of 78 dB(A), Hartzell officials noted.
The new 96-inch diameter prop saves 13 pounds of rotating weight by utilizing Hartzell’s Raptor propeller system and carbon fiber blades, company officials said.
The five-blade propeller upgrade is available immediately as a factory option on new Kodiak 100s, and via the Hartzell Top Prop conversion program for the entire installed base of Kodiak 100s.