Blackhawk Modifications of Waco, Texas, now has a supplemental FAA type certificate for the Raytheon King Air B200 twin turboprop with PT6A-42 engines, replacing the standard -41 type. Aircraft equipped with this “bolt-on” upgrade–no airframe modification is required–will achieve the same performance as current-production King Air B200s and offer a TBO increase from 3,000 to 3,600 hours. When combined with the Raisbeck Epic 1 propeller kit, mid-weight cruise speeds increase to between 280 and 285 knots. European approval of the STC is expected by the end of the third quarter.

Blackhawk’s first and to date only European distributor and installer is Transairco, Geneva, a member of the Pilatus Group.

Transairco recently delivered the first King Air C90B upgraded with the Blackhawk XP performance kit at its facility to a German customer. This upgrade– available for the King Air C90, C90A, C90B and E90–includes the replacement of the original PT6A-21 or -28 engines with the PT6A-135A. The new engine features a thermodynamic power rating of 927 hp, which is flat-rated to 550 hp. It provides takeoff power up to 18,000 feet and allows cruising speeds up to 280 ktas (King Air C90A or C90B at FL200). Ground roll and takeoff distance to 50 feet is also substantially reduced, while climb performance is increased.