Hartzell and Raisbeck collaborate on new King Air propellers

Raisbeck and Hartzell 5 bladed prop on King Air 350

Hartzell Propeller and Raisbeck Engineering are collaborating on new structural composite swept blade props for the Beechcraft King Air 350 aircraft.

Hartzell Propeller’s exhibit at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2017 will feature a King Air 350 modified by Raisbeck Engineering with Hartzell’s newest structural composite 106-inch diameter lightweight five-blade propellers.

The new King Air 350 propellers are an extension of the propeller blade technology advancements developed jointly by Hartzell and Raisbeck for the King Air 90, King Air B200 series and King Air 300 series aircraft. The new composite propellers have an extended 3,000-hour, three-year warranty.

“By taking advantage of the aerodynamic effect of blade sweep, the strength of lightweight structural composites and robotic manufacturing technologies, Raisbeck and Hartzell have greatly improved performance across the board in all flight phases,” said Hartzell Propeller executive vice president JJ Frigge.

Hartzell’s new five-blade swept propellers replace the standard Hartzell four-blade aluminum blade propellers.

Lynn Thomas, vice president of Sales and Marketing at Raisbeck Engineering said: “This lighter prop provides improved single-engine climb performance, unlimited life blades, increased takeoff acceleration, and is quieter. We are already receiving widespread interest from King Air 350 owners and operators in this high performance aftermarket modification.”