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Blackhawk Modifications has made several announcements at this year’s EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.
The company has launched the XP67A Engine+ Upgrade for the King Air 300 Series, which pairs the Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) 1,200-shaft-horsepower (SHP) PT6A-67A engine with the MT 5-blade composite propeller for superior performance, noise abatement, and weight reduction.
Blackhawk now has a King Air 300 in experimental category and will begin certification efforts in August.
The upgrade is expected to dethrone the current fastest-King-Air title holder – the XP67A-powered 350s – with expected maximum cruise speeds of 345 to 350 knots true airspeed (KTAS). Climb performance is expected to be equally impressive, with a projected time to climb from sea level to FL350 in less than 17 minutes.
“The XP67A for the 350 set the bar, but will completely redefine the King Air 300,” said Jim Allmon, Blackhawk’s president and CEO. “The upgrade will deliver cruise speeds, climb performance, and load carrying capability like we’ve never seen before at Blackhawk, which makes the King Air 300 a safer and more capable aircraft.
“It’s an exciting time for us, and we look forward to making this upgrade available for King Air 300 operators soon.”
Having recently completed the XP67A Engine+ Upgrade for the King Air 350 and 350ER, Blackhawk engineers anticipate the FAA STC for the King Air 300 will be issued in Q2 of 2019.
Blackhawk will be offering a $50,000 pre-certification discount for orders placed prior to the STC approval.
In addition, the Garmin G1000 NXi has received FAA approval with Blackhawk’s XP67A Engine+ Upgrade for King Air 350-series aircraft. This supplemental type certificate (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.
“We are excited to offer the XP67A upgrade to those operating King Air 350s with G1000 NXi or Pro Line 21 glass cockpits,” said Allmon. “With about 20 King Air 350 contracts signed in the first year of approval, almost half are equipped with the G1000 NXi. Pairing the XP67A with these next-generation avionics systems completely transforms the aircraft into a better-than-new platform.”
Lastly, Blackhawk Modifications has announced Pratt & Whitney Canada’s (P&WC) completion of an STC allowing the installation and operation of their Flight Data Acquisition, Storage and Transmission System (FAST) on Blackhawk-equipped King Air 200/300 series aircraft and Caravan 208/208B aircraft.
In addition to the FAA signoff, the FAST solution has also gained EASA and TCCA approval for Blackhawk integration. The FAST system is a digital diagnostics and prognostics tool which captures, analyzes, and wirelessly transmits full-flight data intelligence to operators or maintenance technicians within 15 minutes of engine shut down. The FAST technology will provide owners and operators with greater situational awareness regarding their engine performance which will help maximize aircraft availability, optimize maintenance planning, reduce operating costs, and avoid delays and cancellations.
“We are happy to continue working with our partners, like Pratt & Whitney, to develop solutions that meet customer needs and further improve the value of our Engine+ Upgrades,” said Allmon. “We believe that the FAST Solution will greatly improve situational awareness safety for our customers, which is always a top priority at Blackhawk.”
Blackhawk will host a press conference on July 24 at 2:30 p.m. CDT, where senior vice-president of engineering, Bob Kromer, will present the latest programs.
