MT-Propeller Earns FAA STC for Piper PA-28 Composite Propeller

MT-Propeller Entwicklung GmbH has secured Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA04463NY, authorizing the installation of its three-blade natural composite propeller on Piper PA-28-235 Cherokee Pathfinder and PA-28-236 Dakota aircraft. The certification, issued on June 2, 2026, allows operators to upgrade to the MTV-9-B/198-52 propeller system for measurable gains in climb and cruise performance.

Announced in a company press release in June 2026, the FAA approval follows the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) STC 10062339 R1, which was granted for the same installation on August 15, 2025. The upgrade applies specifically to airframes powered by Lycoming O-540-B1B5 or O-540-B4B5 engines.

Performance and design specifications

According to MT-Propeller Vice President Martin Albrecht, the three-blade installation delivers an approximate 5 percent enhancement in climb performance under Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW), Sea Level, and International Standard Atmosphere (ISA) conditions. Cruise speeds also see an increase of two to three knots at MTOW and ISA conditions.

The MTV-9-B/198-52 features natural composite blades designed for vibration damping, resulting in nearly vibration-free operation. The manufacturer notes the blades have no life limitation and are repairable following foreign object debris (FOD) damage. Additionally, the blades incorporate bonded stainless steel leading edges to provide erosion protection. The installation also yields significant reductions in both internal and external noise levels.

Corporate expansion and market footprint

The recent FAA certification adds to MT-Propeller’s portfolio of more than 230 STCs worldwide, with over 34,500 of the company’s systems currently in service. The German manufacturer has been actively expanding its operational footprint to support this growing market presence.

In April 2026, the company established MT-Propeller Canada Inc., a joint venture with AMK Aviation Inc. based in Murillo, Ontario, aimed at improving sales and field support for North-American operators. Concurrently, MT-Propeller expanded its headquarters in Atting, Germany, opening three new production facilities totaling approximately 8,000 square meters (86,000 square feet) to increase manufacturing and service capacity.

AirPro News analysis

The continued rollout of composite propeller STCs for legacy general aviation airframes like the Piper PA-28 series highlights a sustained market demand for modernization. For operators of older aircraft, upgrading to a modern three-blade composite system often represents a cost-effective method to extract better performance and reduce cabin fatigue without the expense of a full engine upgrade or airframe replacement. We view MT-Propeller’s concurrent expansion of its North American support network as a necessary step to sustain its aggressive STC development strategy in the United States and Canada.

Sources: MT-Propeller Entwicklung GmbH, Federal Aviation Administration