RFDS Western Australia - modifying PC-12's with 5 blade props

[megan]

One blade more is better Checkers, no torque to worry about.



As Sunny mentions, thrust reduces with airspeed in accordance with the formula,

Thrust = BHP*325/Airspeed(kts)

Thinking out aloud, perhaps the increase in prop solidity with the extra blade allows the thrust to be produced at a lower blade CL and thus reduced induced drag, more of the TQ going to thrust rather than being lost to drag.

The prop manufacturer for the new PC-12 5 blader (MT) cite,

• Ground roll distance reduced by approx. 15%
• Take-off distance over 50 ft obstacle reduced by approx. 5%
• Climb performance improved
• Cruise performance improved by up to 5 kts
  versus the PC-12 POH/AFM

[atakacs]

I asked previously without success...

Is that the propeller of the NGX or something different for earlier airframes ?

[rcoight]

Originally Posted by atakacs

I asked previously without success...

Is that the propeller of the NGX or something different for earlier airframes ?

I am referring to the 5-blade prop which has been available on factory new PC-12s since around 2017.
It may or may not be the same as the one on the NGX.

[megan]

Is that the propeller of the NGX or something different for earlier airframes

The NGX seems to be a marketing designation, the TCDS designation is PC-12/47E MSN 1720, MSN 2001 and subsequent, fitted with a Hartzell 5-Blade Composite Propeller.

The previous 47E MSN 1576 up to 1944 are fitted with the same Hartzell 5-Blade Composite Propeller (Hartzell HC-E5A-3A/ NC10245B).

Still earlier 47E were fitted with four blade aluminium Hartzell , MSN 545, 1001 to 1575

https://www.easa.europa.eu/sites/def...%20%283%29.pdf

[flightleader]

7 blades make it looks like a star nosed mole