MT Propeller

[carllee]

The test flying of the 3 blade scimitar MT for the 112, 112A, 112B, and 112HS is done. We did the test flying, in Deland Florida, in Bill Helsabeck's 112 Hot Shot, 1094J (thanks Bill). The STC is now pending.

Here are the results:

MT is 29lbs lighter than the Hartzell 3 blade, and 12 lbs lighter than the Hartzell 2 blade.
MT is quieter than the Hartzell 3 blade.
MT climb performance is identical to the 3 blade Hartzell.
MT is 1-3 knots faster in cruise, in every configuration tested.
MT rewards high altitude low power setting flying, without penalizing low altitude high power setting flying.

I believe the 3 blade scimitar MT is the perfect propeller for the 112. If you are a straight 112 owner you gain nearly 30 lbs. of useful load. If you are a 112HS you gain back every ounce you lost adding the turbonormalizer.

There is also a pending STC for a 3 blade scimitar MT for the 114, 114A, and 114B. This propeller is 10lbs lighter than the Hartzell 3 blade. This wont completely offset the weight of the turbonormalizer system, but it moves the needle in the right direction, and because that weight is all the way out front it will help a lot with the CG.

Along with these STC's there are also pending STC's for new MT governors. The MT governors are smaller and lighter than the Hartzell, Edo-air, or Woodward, and because they are 1.5” shorter they solve the clearance issue with the 112, between the propeller control cable and the fuel pump.

I will have more information posted on the RCM website shortly.

 

[JimParker256]

Re: MT Propeller

Great news! Can hardly wait for the final STC approval for the 114 HS!

 

[Jamesdub]

Re: MT Propeller

Carl,
What is the diameter of the MT Prop? My Hartzell Scimitar is 78"
And the added weight was an 'un' pleasant surprise. Almost considered adding a ballast weight to the rear . . . but we're still legal . . .
Any estimate on the STC cost?

 

[janderson]

Re: MT Propeller

here's a few more/ hv added them to the rotating banner as well. Very nice, Carl. ..looks beautiful on 94J!

Judi

 

[carllee]

Re: MT Propeller

Carl,
What is the diameter of the MT Prop? My Hartzell Scimitar is 78"
And the added weight was an 'un' pleasant surprise. Almost considered adding a ballast weight to the rear . . . but we're still legal . . .
Any estimate on the STC cost?

Hi James,

The MT is around 77". I'm still working on the pricing with MT, but expecting it to be competitive with Hartzell.

 

[klevins]

Re: MT Propeller

Awesome news! I have been waiting for this since the recurring AD on the 2 blade was issued. Looking forward to seeing the pricing for the governor and prop package.

 

[jmcb]

Re: MT Propeller

Carl, how much weight difference is there with the McCauley 3 blade that I have?

 

[wab003]

Re: MT Propeller

Great news Carl. Congrats!

 

[carllee]

Re: MT Propeller

Carl, how much weight difference is there with the McCauley 3 blade that I have?

With the McCauley that is used on the 114 there is only around a 7lb weight savings, so there is not that much weight advantage, but it is quieter and with the scimitar design, of course, looks cooler

 

[Airotto370]

Re: MT Propeller

Great job Carl. I've had the MT scimitar in 10J for nearly 6 years now as part of the IO-390 upgrade and am very happy with it.
A bonus is the steel leading edge which virtually eliminates the nicking problems we all face with metal props.
Now, about that turbolizer....

 

[Commander91gm]

Re: MT Propeller

Why no 112TC? Need a volunteer?

Ditto

 

[alandotson]

Re: MT Propeller

Ditto

Ditto...

 

[RNC]

Re: MT Propeller

Finn tells me the 114TC easa paperwork should be done in a month. I'll be switching rather than overhauling on my 114TC as soon as I can. Weight off the nose and less ground roll solves two problems. Extra cruise speed is just lagniappe.

 

[carllee]

Re: MT Propeller

Why no 112TC? Need a volunteer?

Hi Craig, Joel, Alan,

Sorry I tried to respond to this earlier - I guess it didn't post

We didn't include the TC/TCA, and yes we would need a volunteer. We didn't think there was as much of a need because the TCA's have a higher useful load, so are not as in need of help. The only true advantage of the MT is the 29lb difference in weight. Performance difference between the MT and 3 blade Hartzell is nearly zero. The MT performs only slightly better in cruise, but that may only be because the CG is moved a little aft.

 

[alandotson]

Re: MT Propeller

Hi Craig, Joel, Alan,

Sorry I tried to respond to this earlier - I guess it didn't post

We didn't include the TC/TCA, and yes we would need a volunteer. We didn't think there was as much of a need because the TCA's have a higher useful load, so are not as in need of help. The only true advantage of the MT is the 29lb difference in weight. Performance difference between the MT and 3 blade Hartzell is nearly zero. The MT performs only slightly better in cruise, but that may only be because the CG is moved a little aft.

Don't know about other TC owners, but I will need some type of prop change sometime soon. I still have Eddy Current AD on my 2-blade and would like to replace it. Hartzell has same 3 blade propeller for 112 and TC; however, the STC number is different.

I also have forward CG issues with the 2 blade, so Hartzell only makes it worse; therefore, some interest in MT...

If you have interest in pursing TC paperwork, I might be able to volunteer my aircraft, too...

Alan

 

[carllee]

Re: MT Propeller

Don't know about other TC owners, but I will need some type of prop change sometime soon. I still have Eddy Current AD on my 2-blade and would like to replace it. Hartzell has same 3 blade propeller for 112 and TC; however, the STC number is different.

I also have forward CG issues with the 2 blade, so Hartzell only makes it worse; therefore, some interest in MT...

If you have interest in pursing TC paperwork, I might be able to volunteer my aircraft, too...

Alan

Got it. I'll talk to my friends at MT and see if we can work something out.

 

[klevins]

Re: MT Propeller

Carl,
Is it worth placing an order with MT for the prop now and waiting for the paperwork? What is the ETA for the STC?

Thanks,
Ken

 

[carllee]

Re: MT Propeller

Carl,
Is it worth placing an order with MT for the prop now and waiting for the paperwork? What is the ETA for the STC?

Thanks,
Ken

Hi Ken,

I will make an announcement when the STC is issued. Not sure of the time frame but will give updates as we go. You can go directly to MT, but you will get a better price from me.

Thanks,

 

[com112bb]

Re: MT Propeller

while i was having my plane in for repairs, last year, i shared the facility with an aircraft that had suffered a minor prop/rock strike. it took over three months for the MT prop to be repaired. you may want to check with them on their current repair times...should you be unlucky enough to need their survices

 

[carllee]

Re: MT Propeller

while i was having my plane in for repairs, last year, i shared the facility with an aircraft that had suffered a minor prop/rock strike. it took over three months for the MT prop to be repaired. you may want to check with them on their current repair times...should you be unlucky enough to need their survices

Hi Bruce,

I had an “in flight” propeller failure last year, so I know first hand how expensive and frustrating, and in my case, scarey and life threatening a propeller failure can be. As with all things, the attached rule of thumb applies. Your hanger mate likely picked the wrong two.

If you are in the area, I would encourage you to tour the Deland, Florida, MT facility. It is a first class operation. In my wildest imaginings I cannot picture them not dropping everything they are doing to help a stranded motorist.