Press Release

Issued by Blackhawk Aerospace Upgrades.

December 10, 2012

Tropicair, Papua New Guinea's largest charter operator of Cessna Grand Caravans, has recently added an additional Cessna Grand Caravan featuring Blackhawk Modification's XP42A performance upgrade to their charter fleet.

"Tropicair is well-known for being a modern and efficient operation," says Jim Allmon, president and ceo of Blackhawk Modifications. "This Blackhawk powered Grand Caravan absolutely fits Tropicair's high standards for safety and state-of-the-art service."

The customers are not the only ones excited about the new addition. The increased rate- of-climb, true airspeed, range and greater payload have Tropicair's pilots lining up to fly. "They are practically fighting over who gets to fly it next" says Bo Schjønning-Larsen, engineering manager for Tropicair.

The XP42A upgrade package includes a factory-new Pratt & Whitney PT6A-42A 850 SHP engine; a new, 100-inch, wide-chord Hartzell four-blade propeller; a new high efficiency composite cowling; new Blackhawk Hawkeye DigiLog engine gauges; and new Frakes exhaust stacks.

Tropicair is a private company established in 1998 to service the outlying and remote ports of Papua New Guinea. Tropicair is a small charter company that employs 30 personnel, including 10 pilots, all based in Port Moresby, and has its own terminal and office facilities at Jacksons Airport in Port Moresby.