Hartzell Makes Aviation History with First FAA Certification for Electric Aircraft Propeller
Hartzell Propeller has made a significant mark in aviation history by receiving the first FAA Part 35 type certification for a propeller designed specifically for electric aircraft. This five-bladed, carbon fiber propeller, developed in a collaborative effort with Beta Technologies, represents a major milestone in the evolution of advanced air mobility.
The achievement of this certification comes after an intensive four-year period of rigorous testing and countless hours of ground and flight operations on Beta’s proprietary electric propulsion systems. The propeller, designed for Beta’s Alia VTOL and CTOL electric aircraft, has been in operation since 2021, even completing the industry’s first crewed eVTOL transition flight.
“Hartzell Propeller is very pleased to work with BETA Technologies on this AAM breakthrough development,” said JJ Frigge, President of Hartzell.
The ground-adjustable, fixed-pitch propeller is built to serve all advanced air mobility aircraft utilizing similar electric propulsion systems. This marks a critical step toward the realization of commercial electric aviation operations.
Source: Hartzell Propeller Press Release