Blackhawk Group (TBG) has received Federal Aviation Administration approval for its XP66D Engine+ upgrade for the Daher TBM 700 series. The certification marks a milestone in extending Blackhawk’s portfolio of turboprop performance upgrades.

The first installation is being completed at the company’s headquarters in Waco, Texas, with a second scheduled to begin at the AVEX Performance Center in Broomfield, Colorado. The XP66D replaces the 700-horsepower PT6A-64 engine with the 850-horsepower PT6A-66D, increasing shaft horsepower by 21 per cent. Flight tests showed a climb to FL310 reduced from 28 minutes to 22, and a cruise speed increase of 25 ktas to reach 303 ktas.

“The approval and first installation of the XP66D engine upgrade represents a landmark achievement for Blackhawk and for TBM 700 operators worldwide,” says Edwin Black, president of TBG’s proprietary upgrades division. “By combining our proven expertise in STC development with the unmatched TBM knowledge of our AVEX Performance Centers, we’re delivering a truly transformative upgrade that maximises the capability and value of the TBM 700.”

Alongside performance gains, the XP66D upgrade lowers operating costs and enhances safety margins through increased available power to altitude. The certification aircraft, a refurbished 2004 TBM 700C2, also features modern Garmin avionics, custom paint and a new interior.