FAA certifies Hartzell propeller for electric aircraft
Electric-powered aircraft, including those that take off conventionally as well as vertically, differ from traditional piston and turbine models and require parts designed to suit their needs. Now, after years of experimentation, testing, and development, Hartzell Propeller became the first manufacturer to receive FAR Part 35 type certification for a specialized advanced air mobility propeller.
The Piqua, Ohio, company has been working with Beta Technologies, the Burlington, Vermont, aerospace company, since 2021 to develop a propeller that optimizes the overall performance of Beta’s Alia electric vertical takeoff and landing and conventional electric aircraft, which are undergoing flight tests on their way through the lengthy type certification process. Hartzell said it designed the propeller “to serve all advanced air mobility aircraft that utilize similar electric propulsion systems.”
“Hartzell Propeller is very pleased to work with BETA Technologies on this AAM breakthrough development,” said Hartzell President JJ Frigge, in a news release. “Our design specifically for BETA Technologies is a five bladed, carbon fiber, ground adjustable fixed pitch propeller that will have future applications for the entire AAM industry.”
“With its decades of experience across all types of aircraft, Hartzell Propeller has understood from the beginning the unique challenges and opportunities of electric aviation,” said Kyle Clark, founder and CEO of Beta Technologies. “Their engineering precision and deep certification experience have assisted us as we bring this aircraft to market and walk through our own certification steps.”
