Mark Huber is an aviation industry veteran who has worked in the flight training, aircraft sales, aircraft component, and airport development businesses. He has flight time in more than 50 different and diverse aircraft, including helicopters, aerobatic aircraft, vintage warbirds, jet fighters, business jets and turboprops, and transport-category aircraft. He has jumped out of several of these—on purpose—with a parachute. His defense and aviation journalism has been published in a variety of national and international periodicals.

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Mark Huber

Blackhawk Modifications is expanding its XP67A engine upgrade program for the King Air 350 to the King Air 300, the company announced on Tuesday at EAA AirVenture. The program pairs the Pratt &amp; Whitney Canada (P&amp;WC) 1,200-shp PT6A-67A engine with the MT 5-blade composite propeller to deliver increased performance, noise abatement, and weight reduction. Blackhawk now has a King Air 300 registered in the experimental category and will begin certification efforts next month.&nbsp;

 


The upgrade is expected to deliver maximum cruise speeds of 345 to 350 ktas and time to climb from sea level to FL350 in less than 17 minutes. Enabling higher cruise altitudes is also expected to lower total fuel consumption, while reduced block times will lower operational costs. Blackhawk engineers anticipate the FAA STC for the King Air 300 will be issued in the second quarter next year.

 


Pre-certification orders are now being accepted for XP67A delivery positions and Blackhawk is offering a $50,000 pre-certification discount for orders placed before the STC approval. Qualifying core PT6A-60A engines are eligible for credit at $70 per hour/per engine for time remaining to the 3,600-hour TBO.&nbsp;

 


For the existing XP67A upgrade for the King Air 350/350ER, Blackhawk announced FAA approval of the Garmin G1000 NXi. This STC allows engine parameters from the Blackhawk upgrade to be properly displayed on the glass panel interface. The Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 panel is also approved for the Blackhawk XP67A. Blackhawk said of the 20 King Air 350 conversion contracts it had signed to date, half were equipped with the Garmin G1000 NXi. The company said for the remainder of the year it will offer a $50,000 avionics upgrade credit as part of the XP67A package.&nbsp;

 


For Cessna Caravans, Blackhawk announced that it has become the exclusive FAA- and EASA-approved aftermarket distributor for the MT five-blade composite propeller for PT6A-140- and -42A-powered aircraft, including the Grand Caravan EX. The propellers are made from natural composite materials, which saves about 30 pounds and significantly dampens vibration and reduces noise on the ground and in flight. According to Blackhawk, this is the only propeller that meets the stringent European noise regulations and allows unrestricted operations for European operators.

 


Other attributes include a nickel alloy leading edge for superior erosion protection of the blades, unlimited blade life and foreign object damage field-repairable blades, a 96.5-inch diameter allowing for increased ground clearance, and a simple bolt-on installation for reduced aircraft downtime. Optional Increased gross weight kits are also approved with the MT five-blade composite propeller. The propeller is available from Blackhawk’s approved dealer network.

 


For its King Air 200/300 series and Caravan 208/208Bs, Blackhawk announced that Pratt &amp; Whitney Canada completed an STC, along with EASA and Transport Canada approval, allowing the installation and operation of its Flight Data Acquisition, Storage and Transmission System (FAST) on these aircraft.

 


The FAST system is a digital diagnostics and prognostics tool that captures, analyzes, and wirelessly transmits full-flight data intelligence to operators or maintenance technicians within 15 minutes of engine shutdown. This FAST technology will provide owners and operators with greater situational awareness regarding their engine performance.&nbsp;Blackhawk will provide FAST through its authorized dealer network.

 


Blackhawk Modifications senior vice president Bob Kromer reported that business is up 40 percent this year so far compared to last, driven largely by the company’s successful engine conversion programs for the King Air 350 and Cessna Caravan.

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