Story ID: 
Five-blade Composite Prop Boosts Evolution Performance
By: Mark Phelps
Caption: The propeller is lighter weight and increases speed, among other things.
Word Count: 165

Evolution Aircraft has completed performance and noise flight tests on a new Hartzell propeller. The composite five-blade, swept-tip propeller increases cruise speed by three knots, adds 144 feet-per-minute to the climb rate and provides 13 percent more deceleration compared with the four-blade aluminum prop that comes with the Turbine Evolution kit.

The new higher-performance prop is 3.5 pounds lighter than the aluminum prop, and is available as a $58,000 option for Turbine Evolution kit buyers—and as a retrofit upgrade for the 65 aircraft already flying. (Evolution Aircraft said it will assist kit buyers and current aircraft owners in re-selling their aluminum propellers.) The Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-powered Turbine Evolution cruises at 300 knots and has a service ceiling of 28,000 feet, according to the company.

The aircraft with the new propeller will be on display at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh in the main aircraft display area (275-276). More composite propeller models will be shown at Hartzell’s booth (296-297) in the exhibit halls.