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Blackhawk Modifications is celebrating completion of certification flight testing for its newest supplemental type certificate (STC) project–the XP67A Engine+ Upgrade for the King Air 350–by offering a $100,000 show special discount on XP67A orders placed at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. The company will exhibit an upgraded King Air 350 in its booth during the event, from July 24 to 30.
Certification flight testing was completed at 15,000 pounds maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval is imminent. Foreign certification efforts will begin immediately following FAA certification.
Calling the upgrade “the most exciting in Blackhawk history,” company president and CEO, Jim Allmon, said the upgrade “transforms the 350 into the fastest King Air on the planet.”
At flight level (FL) 280, International Standard Atmosphere 20°C a day, max cruise, 13,000 pounds, the Blackhawk XP67A Engine+ Upgrade delivers 332 knots true airspeed (KTAS) versus 292 KTAS for a stock King Air 350–a cruise speed increase of 40 KTAS. Under the same conditions, the Blackhawk XP67A Engine+ Upgrade climbs from sea level to FL350 in just 18 minutes, versus 45 minutes for the stock King Air 350.
Allmon also announced that the company is equipping a King Air 350ER with the XP67A Engine+ Upgrade, and is planning for certification at 16,500 MTOW this year. The final phase of the project will be to equip and certify a King Air 300 with the XP67A Engine+ Upgrade, starting early next year.
The XP67A Engine+ Upgrade includes two factory-new Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) PT6A-67A engines and new five-blade composite propeller assemblies and spinners from MT Propeller. Training, support, and a five-year or 2,500-hour new-engine warranty are also included from P&WC.
“With the XP67A, King Air 350 owners and operators have the opportunity to enjoy jet-like speeds, twice the payload, lower operating costs, and access to more airports than comparable jets,” said Allmon. “It’s a better-than-new aircraft in a class by itself. That’s why we say, ‘first it was a turboprop, but now it’s a Blackhawk.'”
