Press Release

Issued by Blackhawk Aerospace Upgrades.

May 21, 2017

Blackhawk Modifications is accepting pre-certification orders for the world's fastest King Air, a King Air 350 equipped with the company's new XP67A Engine+ upgrade.

The company has completed all flight testing required for certification. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval is expected in June, with European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification efforts beginning immediately upon receipt of the supplemental type certificate (STC).

Keys to the upgrade include two factory-new Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67A engines and new five-blade composite propeller assemblies and spinners from MT Propellers. Training, support, and a five year or 2,500 hour new-engine warranty are also available from Pratt & Whitney Canada, as well as some exciting options for ESP Gold Enrollment.

“This is the most exciting upgrade in Blackhawk history,” said company president and CEO, Jim Allmon. “We're talking about true jet-like speeds, twice the payload, and one-third the operating cost of a comparable jet. The results we are seeing are phenomenal. This will truly be a propjet and not just a tagline.”

Tests show that the upgraded aircraft can fly from sea level to 35,000 feet in 18 minutes, and has a max cruise speed of 332 knots at 28,000 feet.

“We've matched a solid airframe with more powerful, more capable, well installed engines,” said Blackhawk's vice president of engineering, Bob Kromer. “It's a real pilot- and passenger-pleasing aircraft that's going to change the way people think about King Air 350 performance and capability.”

Aircraft owners and operators may meet with the Blackhawk Team May 22-24 in Booth T51 during the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE), in Geneva, Switzerland.