Daher, the aircraft manufacturer, has successfully delivered the first Kodiak 100 single-engine turboprop equipped with a five-blade composite propeller from Hartzell. The North Carolina Forest Service's Aviation Division will utilize the aircraft for transporting equipment and supplies to support aerial tankers engaged in wildfire suppression operations. The inclusion of the five-blade propeller was announced as an option for the Kodiak 100 earlier this year.
Paul Carelli, Daher's director of Kodiak flight operations and special missions, highlighted the aircraft's versatility, off-airport capabilities, and rugged design, making it well-suited for various applications. In addition to improved performance with Hartzell's composite propeller, the Kodiak 100 offers quiet operation, which holds significance for forestry, law enforcement, and recreational flying in backcountry environments.
Daher stated that the new propeller is 13 pounds lighter, six dB(A) quieter, and reduces the aircraft's takeoff roll by 6 percent at maximum gross weight compared to the original four-blade aluminum propeller from Hartzell. With a diameter of 96 inches, the propeller provides a ground clearance of 16.4 inches and has a time between overhaul (TBO) of 4,000 hours or six years. The five-blade composite propeller is available as an option for all new-production Kodiak 100 Series III aircraft and as a retrofit for existing Kodiak 100 aircraft. Introduced in 2021, the Kodiak 100 Series III offers impressive performance capabilities, including a top speed of 183 knots, a range of 1,132 nautical miles, and a useful load of 3,530 pounds.
