A King Air C90 flown privately by Aelia Assurances has become the first aircraft to be upgraded with Blackhawk engine and system modifications by Canadian service company Flying Colours.

Flying Colours Corp, a global aviation service company specialising in aircraft completion, maintenance and refurbishment, signed a service agreement with Blackhawk Modifications Inc at the NBAA 2011 conference.

This first project, which was completed at the end of February, entailed modifications to Aelia's King Air C90 at Flying Colours Corp's Peterborough location in Canada. The aircraft underwent a series of maintenance, avionics and interior modifications which have improved cost effectiveness and performance from the aircraft. The principal modifica-tion involved a full Blackhawk XP 135A engine upgrade which provides increased true air speed, maximises aircraft range and supports more efficient climb rates. The upgrade also reduces maintenance requirements in the future. Operating costs and safety systems were also enhanced following a complete fuel cell replacement, a general propeller overhaul and a full radar upgrade. The woodwork throughout the aircraft was completely refinished and there were numerous soft furnishing enhancements.

"The first modification under the agreement with Blackhawk has gone to schedule and demonstrates that Flying Colours is committed to providing this service to King Air and Caravan owners and operators," says Sean Gillespie, director of sales and marketing Flying Colours Corp. "The aircraft was completed on time and delivered to high customer praise, which is precisely what we are looking for in our distributors," says Bobby Patton, Blackhawk Modifications director for international distribution.