Under a recently approved STC, Hartzell Propeller's five-blade composite propeller for Daher Kodiak 100 aircraft will now be available as a factory option and for retrofit under Hartzell's Top Prop programme. The propeller can replace the four-blade aluminium Hartzell prop, currently standard equipment on Kodiak 100s.

The aerodynamic design of the new propeller's carbon fibre blades allows a reduction from 2,200 to 2,000 rpm, reducing noise while producing smoother operations with no loss in climb and cruise performance.

“Daher Kodiak is quite enthusiastic to offer this five-blade carbon fibre Hartzell Propeller as an option on the Kodiak 100. It provides a significant upgrade in performance, noise signature and ramp appeal, and is consistent with the latest composite propeller technology that Hartzell developed for the Kodiak 900,” says SVP Nicolas Chabbert. “As an already-recognised reference in the STOL and multi-mission categories, the Kodiak 100 will be even more capable and quieter with the Hartzell five-blade composite propeller option.”

“This new lightweight propeller option gives Kodiak 100 pilots a five per cent shorter take off roll, with less vibration and even quieter flights,” adds Hartzell Propeller president JJ Frigge. “We have worked with Daher for years on its TBM platform, and we are very pleased to continue our partnership with it, enabling its STOL Kodiak to perform even better with a new, customised five-blade composite Hartzell prop.”

Hartzell tailored the new propeller for its application on the Kodiak 100 and incorporated the company's lightweight Raptor hub technology. The 96-inch-diameter propeller has a ground clearance of 19 inches, retaining the Kodiak 100's ability to operate from unprepared strips. It also provides a significant noise reduction of six dB(A) compared to the current standard prop. As part of the STC flight test plan, measured flyover noise was 77 dB(A), significantly lower than the EASA requirement of 85 dB(A) and less than the strict German LBA requirement of 78 dB(A).

The new 96 inch diameter prop saves 13 pounds of rotating weight by utilising Hartzell's Raptor propeller system and carbon fibre blades. The prop includes anti-ice, and maintains FIKI status. The five-blade propeller upgrade is available immediately as a factory option on new Kodiak 100 Series III aircraft with deliveries beginning in June, and via the Hartzell Top Prop conversion programme for the entire installed base of Kodiak 100 aircraft.

Daher has also unveiled the G1000 NXi integrated flight deck retrofit for earlier-production Kodiak 100s. The upgrade is to be available through the Garmin dealer network, as well as Daher-operated maintenance facilities in Sandpoint, Idaho; Pompano Beach, Florida; and Tarbes, France, along with Kodiak authorised service centres.

Incorporating a modernised flight display design with significant performance enhancements, the G1000 NXi delivers innovative capabilities.

Among the G1000 NXi's features are SurfaceWatch runway monitoring technology, geographical map overlay within the HSI (horizontal situation indicator), wireless cockpit connectivity via the Flight Stream 510 multi-media memory card and visual approach capability for autopilot-coupled glidepaths to pilot-selectable minimums. With the GTX 345R transponder included in this upgrade package, the G1000 NXi system offers benefits of ADS-B In.

“Bringing the modern G1000 NXi integrated flight deck to the Kodiak 100 is fully aligned with Daher's strategy of serving our customers with upgrades and enhancements throughout the life of their aircraft,” says senior vice president Nicolas Chabbert.

Garmin vice president of aviation sales and marketing Carl Wolf adds: “We are excited about bringing this modern integrated flight deck to earlier Kodiak 100s. The G1000 NXi offers leading-edge capabilities and significant performance upgrades that will help pilots fly safer and reach their destinations easier.”

The G1000 NXi retrofit kits are expected to begin shipping in the third quarter of 2023.