TAM Aviacao Executiva, the exclusive sales representative and only service centre for the entire Textron Aviation product line in Brazil, has completed the installation of the Blackhawk XP140 engine kit on a Cessna model 208B Grand Caravan aircraft. The kit consists of replacing the original PT6A-114 engine with a new PT6A-140, which offers more power, economy and safety for the aircraft's operation.

The Blackhawk XP140 engine kit is the more powerful and economical of the two models available for the Cessna Caravan, providing a 37 per cent increase in rate of climb, a 22 per cent reduction in take off distance, a maximum cruising speed of 195 knots and a 100°C lower starting temperature. Furthermore, the kit increases the time between overhauls from 3,600 to 4,000 hours, which represents savings in maintenance costs and greater aircraft availability.

TAM AE is the representative of Blackhawk Aerospace in Brazil, an American company specialised in performance solutions for turboprop aircraft. TAM AE offers its customers the ability to purchase the Blackhawk engine kit with original engine credits, which can range up to $50 per hour per engine, depending on the hours remaining for the overhaul. TAM installs the kit at its service centre, which is authorised by both Textron Aviation and ANAC, guaranteeing the quality and safety of the service.

"It gives us great satisfaction to provide services of this magnitude to the market, which significantly improve the aircraft's performance and positively impact its operation. The installation of the Blackhawk engine kit is just one of the major modifications that we carry out in our service centre, and can only be done by approved workshops with experienced and qualified professionals. Our experience and expertise enable us to provide this type of service, and fortunately the market recognises us as a reference in terms of execution with quality and on-time delivery," says service centre director Wellington Amorim.