Engines
Hartzell STCs Five-blader for All PC-12s
Composite prop boosts cruise speed and climb and shortens takeoff.
The composite five-blade propeller is lighter than the current aluminum four-blader and boosts performance. The company expects the prop, now standard on all new PC-12s, to deliver a 10-percent improvement in time to climb and a 50-foot reduction in takeoff distance.
The composite five-blade propeller is lighter than the current aluminum four-blader and boosts performance. The company expects the prop, now standard on all new PC-12s, to deliver a 10-percent improvement in time to climb and a 50-foot reduction in takeoff distance.

Hartzell received STC approval for installation of a new composite five-blade propeller on every variant of the Pilatus PC-12 turboprop single. The prop maker, revealing the news last month at the NBAA Convention, says that the owner of a PC-12 fitted with the new prop can expect to see a five-knot improvement in cruise speed, a 50-foot reduction in takeoff roll and a 10-percent quicker climb to a cruise altitude of FL280. The new composite prop, despite having one more blade, is seven pounds lighter than the aluminum four-blader it replaces, and it is now standard equipment on new PC-12s.