Senior Editor

Jerry Siebenmark

MT-Propeller recently flight-tested what it said is a world’s first: an 11-blade&nbsp;propeller. Mounted to the right-hand&nbsp;Pratt &amp; Whitney Canada PT6A-135A turboprop engine on a Piper PA-31T Cheyenne, the initial flight test this fall showed “very promising results,” according to the Germany-headquartered&nbsp;OEM.
Those results included a 15 percent increase in static thrust over a standard, certified five-blade&nbsp;propeller. “This propeller system combined with a low RPM power supply from a turbine or an electric engine opens new possibilities for performance, efficiency, and noise,” the company said.
It’s not clear if or when MT might pursue a supplemental type certificate for the propeller. In 2019, the company also flight-tested a nine-blade&nbsp;prop on the Cheyenne, which MT said can help a propeller-driven airplane reach speeds of up to 430 knots—depending on design—while reducing fuel consumption.

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

MT Flight Tests 11-blade Propeller on Piper Cheyenne Turboprop

MT-Propeller has flight tested an 11-bladed propeller on a Piper PA-31T Cheyenne twin turboprop.

MT Flight Tests an 11-blade Propeller

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Sarah Rose

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Increasing demand drove move to add technicians and another hangar

Thornton Aviation Expands Burbank Maintenance Services

Charles Alcock

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

Enlarged and modernized Australian maintenance facility is set to open in early 2026

Textron Expands Asia Pac MRO Support at Melbourne Base

Matt Thurber

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

Software helps aircraft operators manage the minimum equipment list process

TrustFlight Signs Heartland Aviation for MEL Manager

Curt Epstein

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

A new service center is expected to open in Dubai next year

Liebherr Expands Middle East Component Service Options

AmyWilder

New facility eliminates the need to fly aircraft to Europe for livery work

Satys Unveils New Aircraft Painting Facility in Dubai

Richard Pedicini

New developments at FBOs including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

In this article

Piper Cheyenne Series

Piper

More In Maintenance and Modifications

Thornton Aviation Expands Burbank Maintenance Services

Increasing demand drove move to add technicians and another hangar

Textron Expands Asia Pac MRO Support at Melbourne Base

Enlarged and modernized Australian maintenance facility is set to open in early 2026

TrustFlight Signs Heartland Aviation for MEL Manager

Software helps aircraft operators manage the minimum equipment list process

Liebherr Expands Middle East Component Service Options

A new service center is expected to open in Dubai next year

Satys Unveils New Aircraft Painting Facility in Dubai

New facility eliminates the need to fly aircraft to Europe for livery work

Brazil’s Lider Pivots at Congonhas, Expands at Sorocaba

Business aircraft services company has to move from its longtime hangar at the São Paulo airport

Precision Aircraft Management Digitizes Records with Bluetail

Bluetail’s cloud-based solution streamlines operations and maintenance

Aviation Partners’ Winglet Installation Network Expands

Three MRO providers join the Aviation Partners network

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