Wed, Feb 26, 2014
Deliveries Set To Begin 'Shortly'
The FAA has granted an STC to Hartzell Propeller Inc. for the company’s advanced swept airfoil structural composite five-blade propeller to be installed on TBM 700/850 aircraft. Hartzell already has taken orders for the advanced propellers and deliveries to TBM owners are expected to begin shortly.
“Our new propeller design for the TBM turboprop results in faster takeoff acceleration, higher cruise speeds and better climb, along with less noise,” said Hartzell Propeller President Joe Brown.
"Carbon composite, due to its incredible strength and light weight, allows Hartzell’s design group the freedom to optimize blade chord thickness and sweep while still achieving maximum strength. That’s the key: thin, light and strong, leading to unmatched performance,” he added. “The strong structural composite construction of these carbon fiber blades and their sleek aerodynamic design boosts the TBM’s already impressive performance to an even higher level.”
With the new Hartzell propeller, the TBM’s takeoff acceleration from zero to 90 knots is 10 percent faster than with any other available propeller. Hartzell’s new propeller also provides for a couple hundred-feet-per-minute faster climb rate. Cruise is two knots faster than the Hartzell four-blade metal prop, and a full five knots faster than a less-advanced five-blade wood-based propeller option. The new Hartzell five-blade prop is also significantly quieter in the cabin and in the pattern.
Hartzell’s proprietary resin-injected carbon fiber blades are five to 10 times stronger than beech wood and spruce construction. The thinner airfoil, which is possible due to carbon fiber’s greater strength, makes the improved TBM performance possible.
The new five-blade design features a state-of-the-art composite wedge retention into its stainless steel alloy shank rather than the more rudimentary aluminum and lag screw construction used in lower performing propellers. Hartzell incorporates an innovative nickel erosion mesh and field replaceable nickel-cobalt erosion shield to prevent foreign object damage.
Hartzell received FAA and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Type Certificate (TC) approval for the propeller in 2013. Hartzell offers the new prop with a “Plus 3” warranty, which covers the propeller for a full three years or 1,000 hours and a 3,600-hour/six-year TBO (Time Between Overhaul). The new propeller is available directly through Hartzell’s Top Prop conversion program.
(Image provided by Hartzell Propellers)
More News
Option Approach An approach requested and conducted by a pilot which will result in either a touch-and-go, missed approach, low approach, stop-and-go, or full stop landing. Pilots >[...]
"Emirates is already the world's largest Boeing 777 operator, and we are expanding our commitment to the program today with additional orders for 65 Boeing 777-9s. This is a long-t>[...]
(Pilot) Reported That There Was A Sudden And Violent Vibration Throughout The Airplane That Lasted Several Seconds Analysis: The pilot was returning to his home airport at an altit>[...]
“This recognition was evident during the TBMOPA Annual Convention, where owners and operators clearly expressed their satisfaction with our focus on customer service, and enc>[...]
Overhead Maneuver A series of predetermined maneuvers prescribed for aircraft (often in formation) for entry into the visual flight rules (VFR) traffic pattern and to proceed to a >[...]
ANN's Daily Aero-Term (11.19.25): Option Approach
See All