Diamond DA-40 aircraft receive two new innovative propeller STC options

Citation

(2008), "Diamond DA-40 aircraft receive two new innovative propeller STC options", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 80 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2008.12780bad.009

Diamond DA-40 aircraft receive two new innovative propeller STC options

Article Type: Equipment From: Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology: An International Journal, Volume 80, Issue 2.

Hartzell Propeller Inc., recently announced that it has received a Supplemental Type Certificate permitting installation of two new propellers on Diamond DA-40 aircraft (Figure 1). In addition to the new propellers, the STC also permits the use of Hartzell's new low-cost/high- performance S-1 series propeller governor.

Figure 1 Two new propeller options for Diamond DA-40 aircraft are available under Hartzell's Top Prop Performance Propeller Conversion program

2-Bladed ASC-II composite propeller

The new 76-in. diameter, 46.8lbs. (21.2kg), two-bladed composite propeller features Hartzell's new ASC- II composite technology. ASC-II technology consists of an optimised blended airfoil design made from advanced carbon and Kevlar composite materials through a proprietary, Hartzell-developed manufacturing process. The result is an advanced structural composite propeller that claims to deliver all of the advantages provided by Hartzell's first generation of composite propellers low weight, low inertia, and low-life cycle costs while minimising the major disadvantage: the high-cost manufacturing process. This advancement in technology now makes advanced composite propellers more affordable for general aviation aircraft like the DA-40.

For the DA-40, the new ASC-II composite propeller matches the weight and performance of the original equipment three-blade propeller while providing the all-weather durability and reliability of a true carbon-fiber/Kevlar composite propeller system, which has been demonstrated and proven through millions of hours of airline service.

It is reported that the new Hartzell ASC-II composite propeller has also been tested and proven to be compatible with the Powerflow exhaust system. Diamond Aircraft is making the Hartzell ASC-II available as an option on their new DA-40XLS.

2-Bladed aluminium propeller

The new 74-in. diameter, 62.8 pound (28.5kg), two-bladed aluminium propeller also features Hartzell's advanced blended airfoil design. When compared to Hartzell's previously approved aluminium propeller for the DA-40, the new design has been structurally enhanced to be compatible with the extra horsepower created by the available powerflow exhaust system. When compared to the original equipment three-bladed propeller, the result is said to be a two-knot improvement in cruise performance and comparable climb performance. The Hartzell two-bladed aluminium propeller will be standard equipment on the new Diamond DA-40CS aircraft.

Diamond DA-40 top pro kits

Both new propellers are available as Hartzell Top Prop conversion kits for retrofit on any Diamond DA-40, including DA-40's equipped with the Powerflow exhaust. These propeller kits are also available from Powerflow Systems for DA-40 owners that want to install this exhaust system on their aircraft.

Furthermore, these are reported to be the only propellers approved for use at 2,700rpm maximum continuous power with the Powerflow exhaust that do not require the XL lower cowl.

Both propeller kits come complete with the propeller, a highly-polished spinner, STC paperwork and the exclusive Hartzell Plus Three warranty, which delivers a full three years or 1,000h of coverage.

Details available from: Hartzell Propeller Inc., Tel:+1 937 778 4321, Fax: 937 778 4215.