Blackhawk Modifications (Booth T51) is nearing certification of its XP67A engine upgrade for the King Air 350 that will provide speeds that the company says will make it comparable to jet aircraft. The company has completed flight testing and anticipates FAA approval next month. Work on EASA certification is slated to begin after FAA approval.
The company has begun to take pre-certification orders on the package, which includes the installation of two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67A engines and new MT five-blade composite propellers and spinners. The upgrade further offers training, support, and a five-year or 2,500-hour engine warranty from P&WC.
The upgrade, which president and CEO Jim Allmon called “the most exciting upgrade in Blackhawk history,” boosts the maximum cruise speed of the aircraft to 332 knots at 28,000 feet (from 312 kt) and provides the ability to climb from sea level to 35,000 feet in 18 minutes. “We’re talking about true jet-like speeds, twice the payload, and one-third the operating cost of a comparable jet, said Allmon.
The company also has begun taking orders on its next generation Vx Engine+ package for the Cessna Caravan, which builds on its 850-shp PT6A-42A upgrade with a number of updates. The new Vx Engine+ package also includes new lightweight components and improvements to boost efficiency and lower maintenance costs. The engine has a redesigned and more efficient compressor and a five-year, 2,500-hour warranty. The installation also includes a lightweight composite cowling and Hawkeye DigiLog gauges by Howell Instruments. Improvements include a new stator vane welding process, a new vibration dampening stator strap, a newly designed bleed valve overboard duct, and a new inlet scoop that improves air-conditioning functionality.
Blackhawk is offering a range of options for a new propeller, including the MT five-blade composite propeller assembly, which is 30 pounds lighter and reduces noise levels in compliance with the 78 dBA European takeoff noise requirements. Hartzell three- and four-blade propellers are also offered. The package further comes with the option of a True Blue Power lithium-ion battery and a 325-amp starter generator, reducing start temperatures and increasing engine life. The modifications specialist recently received an FAA STC for the installation of the True Blue Power TB44 (46 amp-hour) lithium-ion battery on Blackhawk-powered Cessna Caravan 208/208B models.
