Piper Meridian and M500 owners can now shave some weight from their airplanes and improve performance by switching to a Hartzell composite propeller. Hartzell has achieved an STC for a five-blade propeller designed specifically for these Piper models.
The weight savings with the five-blade composite propeller over the aluminum four-blade prop that comes standard with the Meridian and M500 is 15 lbs. The sleek new propeller also reduces flyover noise by approximately 1.9 dB(A), Hartzell said.
Performance improvements are by no means huge, but considering they are not due to an increase in horsepower or fuel burn they are significant. Hartzell claims the takeoff distance is reduced by 20 percent, the climb performance is increased by 90 fpm and the cruise speed is boosted by 2 to 3 knots.
Each composite blade is constructed around a stainless steel shank with a nickel cobalt leading edge and mesh erosion screen for FOD protection. The propeller is certified for unlimited life. The new prop will be offered as a factory option for the M500 and is available as an aftermarket option for the Meridian and M500 through Hartzell’s and Piper’s dealer networks.
