Wipaire, working with Hartzell Propeller, is nearing receipt of a supplement type certificate (STC) and is beginning to take deposits for a Yukon four-blade composite propeller upgrade for the Cessna C208 and C208B Caravan, the company announced on the eve of Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo. “We are both happy to announce the completion of testing on the new four-blade carbon composite prop, the Yukon,” said president and CEO Chuck Wiplinger, adding the company hopes to have an STC in hand later this year, possibly in the third quarter.

“At last year’s EAA AirVenture, the prototype in our booth garnered a lot of attention, people wanting to know about its performance,” Wiplinger said. “This year, at Sun ’n Fun, people can see the Yukon on our C208B with a Blackhawk -140 engine conversion.”

The prop can be installed on float-equipped or wheeled Caravans that have either the Pratt & Whitney Canada 675-shp PT6A-114A  or 867-shp PT6A-140 engine.

Hartzell Propeller president JJ Frigge said the prop will decrease takeoff distance by 26 percent on land and 31 percent on water. “This translates into safer takeoff and landings on smaller lakes and shorter runways,” Frigge said. Other improvements for the 110-inch-diameter prop include up to two knots increased cruise speed at lower power and a weight of 137 pounds, marking a 19-pound savings.