Hartzell develops new propellers for King Airs

Hartzell five-blade propeller on King Air 350
Hartzell Propeller is developing new turbine propellers for the King Air family.
Hartzell’s new four-blade aluminium and five-blade structural composite props will be available in early 2016 for the sizeable Beechcraft King Air 350 fleet.
“We have greatly advanced the technology of propellers by taking advantage of the aerodynamic effect of blade sweep, the strength of lightweight structural composites and robotic manufacturing technologies for both composite and aluminum blades.”
Joe Brown, president of Hartzell Propeller said: “We have greatly advanced the technology of propellers by taking advantage of the aerodynamic effect of blade sweep, the strength of lightweight structural composites and robotic manufacturing technologies for both composite and aluminum blades. As a result we can offer across the board performance improvements in all phases of fight.”
Developed in conjunction with Raisbeck Engineering, which has begun FAA certification flight-testing on new four-blade aluminum and five-blade composite swept blade propeller designs for the King Air 350, the propellers incorporate Hartzell’s latest blade sweep technology already available for King Air C90 and King Air B200 models.
Four-blade aluminum swept propellers for the King Air 350 began certification flight-testing in October, and an FAA STC is expected soon. Flight testing of the Raisbeck/Hartzell five-blade structural composite swept blade propellers will be completed in early 2016.
Raisbeck Engineering and Hartzell Propeller have a long-standing relationship in developing swept-blade technology for the entire King Air family.
Both versions of the newest Beechcraft King 350 props will be on display at Hartzell Propeller’s Booth and Raisbeck’s Booth during NBAA in Las Vegas.