Three aircraft modification specialists with major markets in Latin America, and in particular in Brazil, have joined forces at the LABACE show with a one-stop-shop exhibit (Stand 5005) featuring performance-enhancing technologies. In many ways, the products offered by Blackhawk Modifications, BLR Aerospace and Raisbeck Engineering complement one another, and combined may result in even better performance results, according to the U.S. companies.

With Brazil as one of the world’s largest markets for Cessna’s single-engine turboprop Caravan, Blackhawk is promoting its recent modification upgrades. The company, based in Waco, Texas, received supplementary type certificate (STC) approval in June this year for the sale and installation of its XP42A upgrade on the Cessna Caravan 208A. First deliveries began in July.

The upgrade package includes a factory-new Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-42A engine rated at 850 continuous shaft horsepower. It also features an all-new wide-chord, 100-inch diameter Hartzell four-blade propeller, composite cowling and high-efficiency inlet duct, as well as a 40-percent larger oil cooler, Blackhawk DigiLog engine gauges and exhaust stacks.

The company received approval of the same upgrade for the 208B Grand Caravan in 2011 and most recently installed the modification on a Grand Caravan operated by Skydive4Fun, a skydiving service based in São Paulo.

“Now those who fly 208As can enjoy the same operational and economic benefits that have made the upgrade so popular in the 208B,” said Blackhawk president and CEO Jim Allmon.

At LABACE, Blackhawk is also promoting upgrade products for the King Air line, as well Cessna’s Conquest and Cheyenne.

BLR’s FastFin

BLR Aerospace is focusing on its winglet systems for King Airs, and also is available to discuss its FastFin system for Bell medium helicopters.

The BLR winglet system, including LED lighting, are in service in more than 40 countries and can reduce fuel consumption by 5 percent. According to Carl Janssen of the Aircraft Bluebook-Price Digest, the King Air winglets deliver a 100-percent return on investment.

The winglets are available through BLR for the King Air models 90, 200 and 300, and Beechcraft has incorporated them in production models.

BLR’s FastFin tail-rotor enhancement and stability system for the Bell 204, 205 and 212 was approved by Brazil’s ANAC aviation authority in August last year and, to date, more than 600 of the systems are in service worldwide. ANAC has since approved FastFin for the Bell 412 as well.

The system includes two parallel stall strips on the tail boom, known as dual tail boom strakes, and a reshaped vertical fin. It optimizes airflow around the tail boom “dramatically improving tail-rotor efficiency and wind azimuth tolerance.” According to the Everett, Washington-based company, it also reduces operating costs and reduces cycle fatigue in structures, as well as demands on tail- rotor rotating components.

Once installed, most Bell 412 operators will experience a 500-pound increase in useful load while hovering out of ground effect and up to 1,250 pounds while hovering in ground effect.

Raisbeck Swept-blade Props

Raisbeck Engineering is making a full marketing effort at LABACE with its new swept-blade turbofan propellers for the King Air 200 family. ANAC granted STC approval for the propellers in May this year.

According to the Tukwila, Washington-based modifications specialist, the “game-changing swept-blade propellers create the most dramatic and best performing King Air, hands down.” Also noted is the improved hot-and-high performance with the new propellers, “allowing these operations to be safe while [the aircraft carry] much greater payloads and fuel for more range.”

An example of the new swept-blade technology from Raisbeck is on display at LABACE. Raisbeck systems for a variety of aircraft and models are sold and installed by more than 100 authorized dealers and installation centers worldwide. In Brazil, those include Conal, Japi Aeronaves, Líder Aviação, Premium Jet Manutenção de Aeronaves, Quick Aviação and Tam.

The partnership with Hartzell Propeller spans 30 years and Raisbeck founder and chairman Jim Raisbeck noted that there are about 1,500 King Airs now flying worldwide with Hartzell/Raisbeck turbofan power props.