Five-blade Composite Propeller Certified on Piper M500/Meridian

Piper Meridian owners and buyers of the new Piper M500 have a new propeller option, a Hartzell five-blade composite propeller for which Hartzell has just received a supplemental type certificate.

In addition to providing reduced noise and a better climb rate, the propeller’s new blades are certified for unlimited life. The swept-airfoil blades are designed with a stainless steel shank, nickel cobalt leading edge and mesh erosion screen for FODprotection, according to Hartzell. The entire propeller assembly is 15 pounds lighter than the current aluminum four-blade propeller. 

The five-blade composite propeller is an option on new M500s and available as a retrofit for the more than 500 Meridians that have been delivered. Piper dealer Muncie Aviation is already starting installations of the five-blade propeller. “These new swept-airfoil props look great and they increase the asset value for this excellent business aircraft through increased performance,” said Muncie Aviation president Martin Ingram.