If you have $100K...

Also, the -1 engine is 2000 RPM, and most Commanders are the slow turn 1591 RPM (-5, -10, -10T). Are they doing both engine speeds for the STC?

They did for the MU2, but there are good numbers of both types in the fleet. Not sure that is true for the Commanders.

Mike C.

Don't know for sure, but I'm assuming it's only the big prop Commanders. The 690 through to the 1000. Wouldn't make much sense to do for the 680V, W and 681's, so few of them left. Not sure there's a single one in Europe.

My understanding on the MT props, which is second hand, has been that they have been successful conversions in cases of legacy props which are very costly to maintain and overhaul - such as the 4 bladed MU-2 and the Cheyenne 400LS. Their benefit versus less problematic (read: less costly) original aluminum props has been less clear in terms of performance. I've read of better climb rates, different noise profile, ambiguous to negative cruise speed impact.

Take this for whatever it is worth as it might not be analogous comparison to these new MT turboprop STCs (which I think are 100% composite materials, carbon fiber, although, I could be mistaken, think Hartzell composite props are kevlar...) relative to non-problematic original spec aluminum props... but I had the Diamond DA40 with the three bladed MT props (wood core, composite [fiberglass] exterior, stainless steel leading edge) and flew a few times with the Hartzell props (2 blade aluminum). The MT props on the DA40 gave a better climb rate, better noise (IMHO), and they responded more quickly to adding power due to lower inertia than the Hartzell aluminum props. They were more easily damaged and chipped by stones, though and repairs were costly. I believe Hartzell aluminum offered faster cruise speed, were easier to repair smaller dings and were overall more robust. MT repairs required much longer downtime, dealing with having your prop sent to Germany... (this was when I was based in the UK, not sure how this works in the USA.) On the DA40, there were believers that the best prop was the Hartzell 2 bladed, twisted composite (kevlar) prop...

BTW, the 5 bladed black MT props look seriously badass...

Taking this further off topic... because I'm not sure I see there being clear practical advantage to MT props for the turbo commanders... and I'm really bored while I wait for the annual to be completed on the 690A and the Malibu Surfline cams look like they are aimed at the Mediterranean... But did I mention that the MT props really, really look badass?

Re-posting photo of the best thing I saw on the ramp in 2015 (and, for comparison, I pulled up alongside EAA's beautifully restored B-17G Flying Fortress at Paso Robles in 2015, so there was some competition for this title.)
Cheyenne 400LS with the MT props at Chino
(It's now for sale on controller for a mere $1.475mm http://www.controller.com/listings/aircraft/for-sale/1411979/1985-piper-cheyenne-400ls)

Blades are wood core, composite wrapping, stainless leading edge. At least, this is what MT said when I inquired about the TPE331 conversions.

Overhaul is stripping blade to wood core and rebuilding. It is basically a new blade.


That probably sells as many as anything.

On the MU2, the noise reduction might be compelling. I've never flown in an MU2 with the MT, so I can't say.

Mike C.

If nothing else, you get away from Hartzell and Dowty's business practices. MT is smaller, family owned and you're closer to the people that make decisions. That might be worth it for some.

Phoenix, July, 3pm.

3rd degree burns just to touch the door handle.

Mike C.

Phoenix, July, 3pm.

3rd degree burns just to touch the door handle.

Mike C.

Phoenix, July, 3pm.

3rd degree burns just to touch the door handle.

Mike C.

Phoenix, July, 3pm.

3rd degree burns just to touch the door handle.

Mike C.

http://www.mt-propeller.com/pdf/stcflyer/FL063US.pdf
From the spec sheet for one of the MT prop STCs -
if I'm translating obfuscation and abbreviations correctly, on the MU-2 in this specific case, it looks like MT prop is made using an aluminum hub, carbon fiber reinforced laminate (plastic?) exterior to the blade ("CFRL240-55d"), wood core ("light weight natural composite"???) and nickel alloy leading edge. So, not disimilar to the MT prop I flew behind in the DA40.
edit: if you look around their website they are not obfuscating and are pretty clear on what the "natural composite" consists of - beech and spruce wood. http://www.mt-propeller.com/en/entw/blades.htm

Very cool!

Besides looking great there is a large drop in noise, weight savings and the biggest advantage of all is cooler starts. Which might translate into longer battery life.

I just had my Dowtys overhauled and had zero issues.

Down the road I will be looking at upgrade options. It's nice to see another player in the field.

Don't worry, with a pair of large block TPE331s, there is a large price to pay as well.

I suspect a Citation can be bought cheaper and fly faster for less money than a 400LS.

Mike C.

Don't worry, with a pair of large block TPE331s, there is a large price to pay as well.

I suspect a Citation can be bought cheaper and fly faster for less money than a 400LS.

Mike C.

All squawks fixed, annual/150h completed, Canadian deregistration done - I closed escrow this morning.