BLR Aerospace Introduces New High-Performance, Ultra Low-Noise Propeller
GENEVA, May 19, 2015 — BLR Aerospace opened the European Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (EBACE) today by unveiling its new ultra-quiet, lightweight propeller system called Whisper Prop™. Designed to improve King Air comfort, performance and safety, the five-blade, carbon fiber propeller with natural composite core Whisper Prop system is manufactured by MT-Propeller.
The Whisper Prop system is certified and available for installation on King Airs individually or as a package with BLR Winglet Systems.
BLR is exhibiting the new propeller for the first time in Exhibit F089 at EBACE, May 19-21 in Geneva. Winglets will also be on display, and BLR will make available reference copies of their newly certified performance charts for King Air 90s and 200s equipped with Winglets and Whisper Prop.
Company flight test data show that Whisper Prop provides a 30-50 percent reduction in noise, measured in dB, depending on frequency, when compared to the standard King Air 90GTx propeller, according to BLR Aerospace Vice President of Sales and Marketing Dave Marone. In conjunction with Winglets, the system also delivers runway length reductions up to 33 percent, as well as significant gains in useful load. Other benefits include access to shorter, local, fields to reduce trip times with improved safety margins. When purchased together, the Winglets and propeller come with a certified Flight Manual Supplement verifying superior performance when compared to the factory 90GTx performance manual.
“BLR wants to offer owners of the iconic Beechcraft King Air an airplane with even greater performance and more comfortable cabin environment. By combining Whisper Prop with Winglets, BLR is bringing to market a completely upgraded experience that significantly improves ride quality by reducing noise and vibration levels in a remarkable way,” Marone said. “Until now, this level of quiet comfort has been unavailable to the King Air market.” Now, “operators can enjoy the short-field performance and roomy interior of a King Air with comfort surpassing the comparatively space-limited entry level business jet — all while flying an aircraft they already own. It’s a compelling and exciting value proposition and BLR is proud to bring this valuable innovation to market.”
BLR made the strategic decision to partner with MT-Propeller of Atting, Germany. “MT is a highly capable organization with products and craftsmanship that will impress the most exacting engineer,” Marone said. Unlike conventional propellers, Whisper Prop features a carbon fiber blade with natural composite core that significantly dampens vibration. By designing the propeller with a relatively small 83-inch diameter, Whisper Prop exhibits exceptionally quiet operation, and the world’s best FOD protection for unimproved runways.
The BLR Winglet System increases wing aspect ratio to reduce induced drag. By increasing wing efficiency, Winglets provide superior speed, climb, fuel efficiency and handling qualities.
About BLR Aerospace
BLR Aerospace is fully devoted to performance innovation. With products on more than 5,000 helicopters and airplanes worldwide, and endorsed by industry-leading OEMs such as Bell Helicopter and Textron Aviation (formerly Beechcraft Corporation), we back our superior designs with unsurpassed manufacturing quality.
About MT-Propeller
MT-Propeller manufactures natural composite propellers for superior noise and vibration suppression. Known for exceptional engineering and craftsmanship, MT products are designed using advanced CAD/CAM machining and exhaustive analytical and flight test analysis to optimize propeller efficiency. Nearly 20,000 MT-Propeller systems are operating worldwide.