Turboprops

Seattle-based Raisbeck Engineering is working with Hartzell Propeller on a new project for the King Air 350, bringing a swept blade propeller design to the largest model of Beechcraft’s twin turboprop. Two versions are in development: a five-blade composite and a four-blade aluminum propeller. Raisbeck said the four-blade aluminum prop is close to achieving FAA […]

Quest Aircraft is wasting no time planning for the future after being acquired earlier this year by Japan’s Setouchi Holdings. The manufacturer is nearly doubling the size of its Kodiak production facility in Sandpoint, Idaho, where it has been building the rugged utility single-engine turboprops for nearly a decade. Construction of the new factory is […]

Lancair continues to make improvements to its single-engine Evolution turboprop, modifying the engine inlet and adding a BRS parachute. The modifications will be included as standard equipment in the experimental airplane kit starting with Serial Number 70, the build of which will begin at the Lancair factory in the end of August, Lancair’s sales and […]

Piper Aircraft and Hartzell Propeller are working together on approval for a five-blade composite propeller for the Piper Meridian and M500 through a supplemental type certificate (STC). The STC for both Piper models is anticipated by the end of the fourth quarter of this year, the companies said at EAA AirVenture 2015 in Oshkosh. “The […]

Epic Aircraft announced Sunday that the production schedule for its E1000 single-engine turboprop has been extended into next year. Originally the airplane was projected to go on sale late this year. “We are solidly on track for certification by the first half of 2016, with initial deliveries and production ramp to follow,” said Epic CEO […]

Beechcraft King Air 250 customers can now add the Rockwell Collins’ Pro Line Fusion touch screen suite after the system achieved type certification for the twin turboprop. The introduction came only two months after Textron Aviation made its announcement that the King Air would transition to the new avionics platform. Pro Line Fusion can be […]

On the opening day of EBACE Textron Aviation announced that the standard avionics package for its entire King Air lineup would be the Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion suite. The flagship King Air 350 and popular King Air 250 will get the new flight decks by this summer, and the C90GTX will get it later […]

The first Piaggio Avanti Evo is flying with its new owner four months after the twin pusher turboprop received its type certification. Piaggio Aerospace delivered the airplane to an unnamed Greek customer that plans to use it for charter. Five more Avanti Evos are due for deliveries before then end of the year to customers […]

Piper arrived at Sun ‘n Fun with further details of three new airplanes — the M350, M500 and M600 — all based on the venerable PA-46 type certificate that has been a staple of the brand since the early 1980s. The new generation of M-class airplanes are the best ones yet thanks to additional payload […]

Are we about to witness the emergence of a new powerhouse name in general aviation? Only time will tell, after Eclipse Aerospace, maker of the Eclipse 550 very light jet, and Kestrel Aircraft, currently in the development phase of the K350 single-engine turboprop, announced they are joining forces under the umbrella of ONE Aviation. The […]