Partnership with BETA Technologies Marks Milestone in Electric Aviation and Advanced Air Mobility

In a landmark achievement for the electric aviation sector, Hartzell Propeller has secured FAA Part 35 Type Certification for the first propeller designed specifically for integration with electric propulsion systems. Developed in close collaboration with advanced air mobility (AAM) innovator BETA Technologies, this certified propeller represents a pivotal step forward in the commercialization of next-generation electric flight.

By Jarryd Sinovich

The newly certified propeller is a five-bladed, carbon fiber, ground-adjustable fixed pitch design, optimized to meet the unique demands of electric engines. Unlike traditional aircraft powerplants, electric propulsion systems like those developed by BETA require propellers capable of operating across a wide range of load profiles—including regenerative braking, high torque startup, and fluctuating energy conditions. Hartzell’s propeller not only meets these demands, but exceeds FAA performance and safety standards under Part 35, the regulatory benchmark for aircraft propeller certification.

A Certified Partnership in Innovation

The certification is the result of a multi-year technical partnership between Hartzell and BETA Technologies, dating back to 2021. All developmental testing was conducted using BETA’s proprietary electric propulsion systems on its ALIA CTOL and ALIA VTOL aircraft. These flight and ground evaluations, spanning thousands of hours, were carried out in a data-rich, validated environment—providing the FAA with a high-confidence basis for approval.

“This is a breakthrough not just for Hartzell, but for the entire AAM industry,” said JJ Frigge, President of Hartzell Propeller. “Our propeller, built specifically for BETA’s electric platform, reflects a deep understanding of the nuanced performance needs of electric aircraft. It’s also designed with scalability in mind, with future applications across a wide range of electric aviation programs.”

Kyle Clark, Founder and CEO of BETA Technologies, emphasized the value of Hartzell’s experience:

“Hartzell brought over a century of engineering excellence and certification know-how to the table. Their ability to adapt and innovate has been critical in our own journey toward full aircraft certification.”

Proven in Flight

BETA’s aircraft have already logged extensive flight time with Hartzell’s propellers. The ALIA series has completed high-profile milestones, including the first crewed transition flight of an eVTOL, cross-country journeys across the U.S., and a recent demonstration tour across Europe—proving the reliability and capability of the system in real-world environments.

The collaboration underscores a broader theme within the AAM industry: that legacy aerospace expertise and next-generation innovation are not mutually exclusive. In fact, it’s the convergence of the two that is enabling the safe, scalable development of electric aviation solutions.

Looking Ahead

With this FAA certification in hand, Hartzell Propeller becomes the first company to have a propeller certified specifically for use with electric engines—setting a precedent that is likely to accelerate the path to commercial viability for electric aircraft manufacturers worldwide.

As the AAM industry matures, the Hartzell-BETA partnership provides a proven blueprint for how traditional aerospace manufacturers can partner with emerging technology firms to meet the stringent demands of a rapidly evolving regulatory and performance landscape.