Hartzell Propeller and Raisbeck Engineering have secured a supplementaltype certificate (STC) from Brazil for a swept-blade turbofan propeller onthe Beechcraft King Air 350 series.
The approval comes less than eight months after the US Federal AviationAdministration became the first civil aviation authority to approve the $150,000 system for the twin-engined turboprop. Since then, six propellers have been delivered and installed for US owners, says Raisbeck.
Approval is expected imminently from Canada and Europe, “wher a number of potential customers are waiting for the upgrade”, adds the Seattle, Washington-based company.
While owner-flyers and commercial operators account for the bulk of the sales and demand to date, Raisbeck says it is receiving “some interest” in the modification from government agencies.
The composite, five-blade, 106in (265cm) lightweight propeller has an advanced swept blade design, and offers improved take-off acceleration, better time-to-climb, and a reduced level of sound in the cabin and cockpit,Raisbeck says.
Flight Fleets Analyzer records a global fleet of more than 1,100 King Air 350s. The USA has the largest installed base, with around 670 examples, followed by Canada with 45 and Brazil with 33. The European inventory ofKing Air 350s totals 90 units.
